Cole Ramirez was attending a four-year university when he realized he wasn’t quite sure what career he wanted to go into. And at four-year university tuition rates, exploring various degree programs wasn’t an option.
So, Ramirez, of Amherst, transferred to Lorain County Community College to figure out his future. As it turned out, a four-year degree was still part of this journey, but the path to earning it looked a little different.
In May, the 23-year-old will graduate from both LCCC and Ashland University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education through LCCC’s University Partnership. LCCC partners with 13 colleges and universities, delivering more than 100 bachelor’s and master’s degrees on campus and saving students an average of $74,000.
The University Partnership route was perfect for Ramirez.
“I wanted to stay close to home and I knew that LCCC had a great partnership program with Ashland University,” he said. “I wanted to pursue a degree in education.”

Ramirez’s focus is Middle Childhood Education and since March 2025, he has been student teaching at North Ridgeville Academic Center. Before that, he taught at Frank Jacinto Elementary in Lorain.

“My experience teaching students has been both rewarding and transformative,” Ramirez said. “It has provided me with deep insights into the teaching profession, allowing me to grow personally and professionally. Along the way, I’ve met incredible individuals, built meaningful connections, and gained a greater appreciation for the impact of education.”

Outside of student teaching, Ramirez said both LCCC and Ashland University instructors have helped him become the best version of himself.

“Many of my professors at LCCC and the University Partnership made me the learner and person that I am today. They challenged me in a positive way,” he said.

As Northeast Ohio faces a teacher shortage, along with the entire state, Ramirez is confident in his ability to find a job teaching middle school in a local school district. And he’s grateful for having had the opportunity to find his future career at LCCC.

“LCCC granted me the opportunity to explore what I wanted to do while also putting me in a position to succeed in my career and as a learner,” he said.