Reps. Manning and Perales Visit Lorain County Community College

COLUMBUS—State Representatives Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville) and Rick Perales (R-Beavercreek), chair of the House Finance Subcommittee on Higher Education, visited Lorain County Community College today for a discussion on college affordability and a tour.

“I always experience something exciting and new when I come to visit,” Manning said. “It was great sharing with Chair Perales all the groundbreaking things happening here at Lorain County Community College. We need to make sure that LCCC has the resources it needs to continue providing the citizens of Lorain County with these opportunities in a cost effective way.”

The president of the college, Dr. Marcia Ballinger, gave an overview of LCCC’s key priorities related to affordability, efficiency, and quality of higher education. The group also toured the institution’s SMART Center, where students engage in learn-to-earn certificate and degree programs in advanced manufacturing fields like mechatronics and sensor packaging and testing.

“We appreciate that Representative Manning is committed to the needs and opportunities of our students and community,” said Lorain County Community College President Marcia J. Ballinger, Ph.D. “The local and global economy is changing, and it’s important that LCCC prepares our students for these emerging high-growth jobs. Having Representative Manning visit the Desich SMART Commercialization Center for Microsystems, hear from our students, traditional and non-traditional, and see the work they are doing for industry demonstrates firsthand the importance of higher education in empowering a thriving economy. “

Perales was appointed the Chair of the House Finance Higher Education Subcommittee earlier this year.  The committee is in part tasked with evaluating state operating budget issues specific to higher education. Affordability and accessibility are two widely discussed issues both at the national and state level, and the committee focuses on matters related to the cost of higher education and funding such institutions. 

“Higher education is essential to create jobs, promote economic development, and most importantly keep our best and brightest right here in Ohio," Perales. "I’m looking forward to leading the charge to ensure all of our institutions have the tools they need to continue turning out a skilled and driven workforce."