Cleveland - Cuyahoga Community College today announced a $500,000 gift from Anne-Marie and Sam Petros to help students overcome financial hardships and continue their studies during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Petros Family Student Relief Fund will offer emergency aid and tuition assistance for students enrolled in academic and workforce training programs at Tri-C. It will fill a gap by providing support to students who do not qualify for federal funding.
The program begins with the upcoming summer session. The fund will be managed by the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation.
“It’s easy for one lost paycheck or sudden expense to interrupt someone’s education and become a barrier,” Sam Petros said. “When we learned how Tri-C students were struggling during the pandemic, we wanted to do something that would have immediate impact. We believe in helping people who are trying to help themselves.”
“Even the most resilient and determined individual needs help at times,” added Anne-Marie Petros. “Investing in each other is the foundation of a strong community. It is our privilege to help Tri-C students achieve and show them the community believes in their potential.”
The family’s generous investment greatly expands Tri-C’s ability to help struggling students. One focus of the Petros Family Student Relief Fund will involve helping low-income women with children, a population disproportionally affected by the coronavirus crisis.
Keeping students on track to graduate is critical to economic growth in Northeast Ohio. Skills built in Tri-C classrooms are essential to keeping the region competitive in an ever-changing business climate.
Thousands of students have reached out to the College for resources as they continue their academic progress while dealing with the realities of the COVID-19 situation.
“We are fortunate to have community leaders like Anne-Marie and Sam Petros,” Tri-C President Alex Johnson said. “Through their caring support, Tri-C students will be able to focus on their studies as they overcome current challenges and build toward a better future.”
Sam Petros established Petros Homes in 1985 and embarked on a career building and creating safe communities across Northeast Ohio. He is chief executive officer of Petros Homes and president and sole shareholder of Petros Development Group.
He and Anne-Marie live in Hinckley with their four children.
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