We are fighting for more than just restoring a place of learning. We are committed to creating a path to success for our students, the business community, and the people of Northeast Ohio through education and partnership. It’s about a new vision for what higher education can be.
Friends of Notre Dame College
Join us December 18th for a night of fun, food and old friends 6-9PM @ 78th Street Studios
Service to the Community
In the tradition of service that made Notre Dame College a vital part of our community, Friends of Notre Dame College seeks to rebuild, stronger than ever, upon the College’s cornerstone mission and legacy of service. Our goal is to continue serving the Northeast Ohio community, support our young people, and expand opportunities for under served student populations. Small colleges offer an unparalleled environment where students can learn, gain meaningful cultural experiences, and build connections that empower their future. Friends of Notre Dame College seeks to protect and rebuild a community legacy, to expand opportunity for future generations, and to create a model for how mission driven small colleges can survive and thrive for the betterment of all.
Workforce Development
Small colleges serve as powerful engines of workforce development, directly strengthening the economic fabric of their communities. By offering targeted programs of study, and industry-aligned training including certificate and continuing education programs they equip local residents, both recent high school graduates and adult learners, with in-demand skills that lead to immediate, family sustaining jobs. We seek to partner with regional employers to design curricula that match specific labor needs, reducing skills gaps and lowering recruitment costs for businesses. The result is a steady pipeline of qualified workers who live locally, spend locally, and pay local taxes. The college itself provides stable middle-class jobs and attract additional state and federal training grants that further boost the area’s economy.
Small Colleges Matter
Small colleges matter because they deliver personalized, high-impact education that transforms lives and anchors communities. They provided dedicated faculty who know students by name and a focus on teaching over research. They produce graduates who are well prepared academically, resilient, and civically engaged. They keep education accessible and affordable for first generation and working class students, fight brain drain by giving local talent a reason to stay in Northeast Ohio. They serve as economic and cultural hubs that employ hundreds, draw outside dollars, and spark entrepreneurship. In an era dominated by mega-universities and online programs, small colleges remain vital places where individual potential is nurtured and entire regions are strengthened.
Economic Development
Small colleges play a vital role in strengthening local communities by combating brain drain, creating opportunities for future generations, and driving economic development. They keep talented young people in the region by offering accessible, high quality education close to home, encouraging graduates to stay, start careers, and raise families locally rather than migrating to urban centers. These institutions provide area youth with affordable pathways to higher education and skilled training that might otherwise be out of reach, helping break cycles of poverty and creating a more educated workforce. Economically, small colleges act as stable employers, attract external funding and student spending, support local businesses, and partner with industries to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, contributing to long-term vitality and resilience.
In the News
CLEVELAND.COM SPECIAL REPORT
Nov 11, 2025 by Jeff Piorkowski
The article breaks down the current state of litigation and the efforts of Friends of Notre Dame College Trustees Peter Corrigan and Justin Tisdale along with other community leaders.
NEWS CHANNEL 5 SPECIAL REPORT
June 5, 2025 by Michelle Jarobe
An effort to sell Notre Dame College stalled out. Recent lawsuits explain what’s going on.
Comprehensive report on the embattled college and property.
Building a Brighter Future.
Friends of Notre Dame College is committed to restoring the heart and spirit of Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio. Founded in 1922 by the Sisters of Notre Dame, the College has shaped generations through service, scholarship, and community. We are working to reopen its doors and renew its mission of empowering students, especially those from under-resourced communities, to reach their potential and strengthen our shared future.
As we rebuild, we will honor the tradition that defined Notre Dame while expanding into innovative academic pathways that meet the needs of today’s world.
We believe small colleges matter. They are places where students are seen, supported, and given the opportunity to succeed. By revitalizing Notre Dame College, we seek to protect a community legacy, expand opportunity for future generations, and create a model for how mission-driven small colleges can survive and thrive.