Graduate Spotlight

STORIES BY Erik Cassano Beth Cieslik John Horton Madeline Shepherd Katie Utrata Leanne van Beers-Werneke Jarrod Zickefoose

VIRTUAL REALITY

THE CELEBRATION MAY HAVE BEEN VIRTUAL, BUT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE VERY REAL FOR MORE THAN 2,500 TRI-C GRADUATES

Perseverance. If there’s one word to describe Tri-C’s Class of 2020, that’s it.

As the world slowed to a near halt during a global pandemic, more than 2,500 students at Cuyahoga Community College pushed forward to achieve their academic goals while earning associate degrees or certificates.

The College recognized that determination in an online celebration of Spring 2020 graduates on May 14. (Restrictions on large gatherings due to COVID-19 forced the College to adjust plans for a traditional commencement ceremony.)

“Like any graduation, this is a defining moment in the lives of our students,” Tri-C President Alex Johnson said. “This class has persevered through a challenging time. Now, they will take the resilience and courage they demonstrated at Tri-C and use it to make their mark on the world.”

STAYING THE COURSE

U.S. ARMY VETERAN TIMOTHY KELLY OVERCAME OBSTACLES TO EARN A DEGREE AND PURSUE A CAREER IN SOCIAL WORK

TIMOTHY KELLY

Finish what you started. As Timothy Kelly’s life crumbled around him a few years ago, he reflected on those four words. He heard the message often while taking classes at Cuyahoga Community College. It took on new significance after his mother passed away.

“My three-year plan with Tri-C turned into a six-year plan,” Kelly said. “But that’s OK.”

Because he did finish what he started. The 56-year-old U.S. Army veteran graduated from Tri-C in May with an Associate of Arts degree. This fall, he plans to begin working toward a bachelor’s degree in social work at the University of Akron.

Such a future once seemed unlikely for Kelly.

The Cleveland man said he lost his purpose after serving 12 years in the military with multiple tours in Kuwait, Iraq and Bosnia. He talked of spending two decades as a “wanderer,” isolating himself with drugs and alcohol while dealing with the effects of PTSD.

Kelly began turning things around after seeking help from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and enrolling at Tri-C. He set his sights on becoming a social worker to repay the help he received.

He started well, struggled after his mother’s death, and then recommitted himself to his courses.

Kelly balanced his classwork with a full-time job as a resident assistant at an inpatient treatment facility. He also serves as a certified peer specialist, supporting other veterans struggling with mental health issues, psychological trauma and substance abuse.

“I’ve always been a helper,” he said. “Even when I was at my worst.”

Kelly credits his success to working hard and not giving up. To stay on track, he writes his goals on pieces of paper and posts them on doors around his house. He has even drawn his future office — including everything he plans to put on his desk — so that he can visualize his next step.

He expressed gratitude for the counselors, instructors and Veterans Education Access Program staff he worked with at Tri-C. He says they saw something in him that he did not see in himself.

“I want those who helped me to know what they do matters,” he said. “I want to succeed for them.”

CORINNE NICOL said Tri-C’s tuition — the lowest in Ohio — brought her to campus in 2017. Nearly three years later, she graduated with an Associate of Arts degree focused on music. The 20-year-old from Cleveland Heights now plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree and career in music therapy.

“My ultimate goal is to complete my undergrad without any debt. Tri-C helps you save a lot of money.”

GOING GREEN

TAI-RENEE KING WILL USE SKILLS LEARNED AT TRI-C TO CHAMPION SUSTAINABILITY IN CLEVELAND

TAI-RENEE KING

Tai-Renee King enrolled at Cuyahoga Community College in 2017 to complete prerequisites toward a library science degree. Three years later, she graduated from Tri-C with an Associate of Applied Science in Plant Science and Landscaping Technology and a certificate in landscape contracting.

What changed?

“I was always interested in environmental issues, but I never thought to make a career out of it,” said King, 28, of Cleveland. “My supervisor at the Cleveland Public Library realized I had a passion for nature, so she pushed me toward plant science.” Growing up in the city’s Mt. Pleasant neighborhood, King didn’t have access to much green space. It’s an older area, densely packed with homes built before the advent of renewable energy and dotted with vacant lots.

King looks at the landscape and believes it could someday spring back to life as urban gardens with the right kind of care.

“I’d like to transform my childhood community into a selfsustaining, eco-friendly neighborhood with green homes and buildings,” she said. “I’d also like to teach people how to grow plants for food as well as for beauty.”

King knows firsthand how intimidating it can be to try something new. Starting college at 25 years old, she feared she wasn’t “smart enough” to keep up with her classmates. As it turns out, she had no need to worry.

In 2018, she was one of five community college students in the nation to receive a scholarship from plant company Proven Winners. In April, she became the third student from Tri-C’s award-winning horticulture program to receive an Irrigation Association scholarship.

King will apply this latest award toward tuition at Oregon State University, where she’ll study ecological engineering and forestry beginning this fall.

“It’s my dream college,” she said. “They have the No. 3 forestry program in the world.”

King is excited for the next phase of her life and thankful to Tri-C for helping her get there.

“My professors’ immense knowledge and their passion for the environment inspired me to learn as much as possible and bring it all back to my community,” she said. “Tri-C helped me find my calling.”

CAP-AND-GOWN MOMENT

The College plans to gather spring graduates Dec. 16 for a traditional commencement so that they can experience the excitement and emotion of the formal event. The ceremony will take place at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center.

The ceremony will be separate from Tri-C’s Fall Commencement, scheduled for Dec. 17.

Connor House worked hard to earn three degrees at Tri-C: Associate of Applied Business degrees in cybersecurity and networking software and an Associate of Applied Science in electronic engineering technology. The 23-year-old from Sagamore Hills found plenty of help, too, as he overcame challenges from a rare genetic condition called Klinefelter syndrome.

“When I enrolled, I started going to the tutoring center [at Eastern Campus] and working with the Student Accessibility Services office. They were a big part of the support system that helped me transition to college subject matter and a college workload.” Niyonkuru Ines met Tri-C counselor Linda Lanier during her first semester at Metropolitan Campus. The 22-year-old Cleveland resident credits that relationship for the two degrees — an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Science — she received in May.

“She kept pushing me and was there for me every step of the way. If it wasn’t for her, I would be a dropout college student.”

Ibrahim Sackeyserved as as her older sister, Angel, who earned a degree from Tri-C in 2018 at age 16. (In true sibling rivalry fashion, Amber makes it a point to mention she graduated sooner.) Both attended Tri-C through College Credit Plus, a dual enrollment system allowing students to take college courses to meet high school graduation requirements. The program is open to students in grades seven through 12 who are academically ready for more rigorous coursework.

the neighborhood IT fix-it guy while growing up in Ghana. He immigrated to the United States in 2017 to expand his computer knowledge. The 23-year-old graduated from Tri-C in May with an Associate of Applied Business degree in information technology, with a concentration in networking software.

“[In the United States], you can do anything as long as you have the passion and drive to achieve it. That was something that was reinforced by my professors and the staff at Tri-C.

A COLLEGE GRADUATE AT AGE 14

AMBER BENNETT EARNS ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE BEFORE FINISHING HER FRESHMAN YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL

AMBER BENNETT Patience framed Amber Bennett’s pursuit of an Associate of Arts degree from Cuyahoga Community College. She slowly picked away at graduation requirements over three years while taking classes fall, spring and summer. “I took my time,” Bennett said of her nine-semester journey. “I really didn’t want to rush things.” Few would share that belief. Bennett became a college graduate at age 14 in May, a few weeks before finishing her freshman year of high school with Ohio Connections Academy. She expects to earn a second degree from Tri-C — an Associate of Science — this summer. The Richmond Heights teen followed the same path

They always encouraged me and pushed me.” Few students begin at the earliest allowed age, though. State reports show that Bennett was one of only 74 Ohio seventh-graders in College Credit Plus when she walked onto Tri-C’s Eastern Campus in 2017.

Her mother said she had no worries about the 12-year-old beginning college: “Amber was always watching her sister,” said Angelita Bennett, also a Tri-C graduate. “She knew what was coming. She was excited to start.”

Bennett said professors and older students made her feel welcome. She thrived in the campus environment, with grades that earned her an invitation to join Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Like her mother and sister, Bennett graduated with academic honors.

“If you’re a kid thinking about this, don’t be scared,” she said. “Just go for it.”

Her next goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree before her high school diploma. She is set to begin classes at Notre Dame College in South Euclid this fall to study psychology.

WORKING IT OUT

A SCHOLARSHIP HELPED POWER OKTAY ADATEPE TO A DEGREE IN SPORT AND EXERCISE STUDIES

OKTAY ADATEPE

Oktay Adatepe felt overwhelmed. A year into classes at Cuyahoga Community College, he watched as his bank account balance inched closer to zero. His path to a degree seemed to be vanishing.

That all changed, however, with the scholarship he earned upon being accepted as a Mandel Scholar at Tri-C’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Humanities Center.

“I could not describe my excitement,” he said. “It gave me a chance to finish my dream.”

The 22-year-old made the most of the opportunity, too: Adatepe graduated from Tri-C in May with honors and an Associate of Applied Science degree in sport and exercise studies. He said he looked at more than 50 community colleges across the United States before choosing to come to Tri-C. The College’s program stood out to him given its focus on gaining practical experience.

Adatepe immersed himself in classes and training. His studies led to a job at Tri-C’s Eastern Campus fitness center and an internship with the program’s sports science laboratory to build skills in exercise physiology and testing.

He also launched a sport and recreation club on campus and served as president of the group.

“These opportunities gave me experience and made me realize why I love this field,” said Adatepe, who lives in Woodmere.

He credited his sport and exercise studies instructors — particularly Chris Faciana and Genevieve Luca — with sparking his passion for the field. “They made learning very interesting,” he said.

Adatepe also received guidance from Marcia Leftridge, a physical education support specialist at the College. She served as his mentor through Tri-C’s Black American Council.

“She guided me through whenever I was in a tight spot — whether it was classes, work or personal,” Adatepe said. “She was an amazing mentor who pushed me to have better opportunities.”

That includes his work last fall with The Voting Experience project at Tri-C campuses. The student-led initiative was designed to register voters and encourage participation in the political process.

He became involved with the effort after being named a Democracy Fellow with the Fair Election Center’s Campus Vote Project.

With his goal of a Tri-C degree accomplished, Adatepe now plans to transfer to Cleveland State University to continue his education. He has set his sights on a bachelor’s degree in exercise science.

Adatepe will enroll in CSU’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Honors College through the Mandel Continuing Scholars program between Tri-C and the university.

LEARNING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

JARUSHA WEEKS LAUNCHED A STUDENT SUPPORT GROUP AT EASTERN CAMPUS ON THE WAY TO GRADUATION

JARUSHA WEEKS The classmate approached Jarusha Weeks, as many often did while she was out and about at Eastern Campus performing her duties as a Cuyahoga Community College student ambassador. This conversation, though, was different. The student just started talking about the emotional turmoil gripping her life and the difficulties of her day. The encounter spurred Weeks — an aspiring social worker — into action. She formulated a plan that led to the creation of E4, a student support group that will continue helping others long after Weeks leaves Tri-C. She graduated in May with an Associate of Arts degree. The group’s name comes from the idea of students connecting “eye to eye, ear to ear” to see and hear other viewpoints, said Weeks, 28, of South Euclid. She said it’s critical for students to have a safe place where they can share feelings and find a direction forward.

“We live in an era where mental illness, depression, anxiety, suicide and violence are the new norm, but also issues deemed too sensitive to talk about,” she said. “Our learning institution becomes our second home. We need to have a space to discuss our troubles with welcoming support.” Weeks said the support structure within Tri-C helped her make the four-year journey to graduation. She moved steadily forward while balancing her studies with two jobs and family responsibilities.

Resources at the College provided academic guidance as well as opportunities for professional and social growth, she said.

“Tri-C has truly built a ‘community’ within the institution,” Weeks said.

She became part of that community as a Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Scholar and an officer with Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She also served as a student ambassador for two years and worked in the campus president’s office.

“Everything I did, I looked at it as a link in the system to help others find success,” Weeks said.

Now that she has her degree from Tri-C, Weeks plans to transfer to Cleveland State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work. She hopes to eventually work as a counselor for at-risk youth, creating programs that challenge perspectives and shape responses.

A LIFE-CHANGING SUGGESTION

SEDI RRUSTEMAJ EARNS TWO DEGREES AFTER A CO-WORKER’S RECOMMENDATION LED HER TO TRI-C

SEDI RRUSTEMAJ

Doubt gripped Sedi Rrustemaj as she finished her senior year at Rocky River High School. Despite posting a 4.0 GPA after emigrating from Albania, she didn’t feel ready to enroll at a four-year university.

“I didn’t know a lot about how college works here,” she said. “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study, either, or if I could afford it. So I thought I’d take a year off to figure things out.”

That’s when a co-worker suggested enrolling at Cuyahoga Community College.

Less than two years later, Rrustemaj graduated with honors from Tri-C. The 19-year-old packed enough courses into four semesters and one summer session to earn two degrees: an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Science.

She plans to transfer to a four-year university this fall to continue her education. Her goal is to become a doctor of osteopathic medicine.

“Every individual has something within them,” Rrustemaj said. “You just need to find a way to spark it. That’s what Tri-C did for me. It showed me what was possible. It helped me realize what I could do.” Rrustemaj immersed herself in Tri-C life. She won election as vice president of student government at Westshore Campus and vice president of leadership for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society chapter at Western Campus.

Her academic achievement led to an invitation to join the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Scholars Academy at Eastern Campus, where she continued building leadership skills through guided coursework in the humanities.

She also took classes through the Cleveland Humanities Collaborative, a partnership between Tri-C and Case Western Reserve University.

“You find such a sense of belonging at Tri-C,” Rrustemaj said. “It brings out your best.”

Rrustemaj has balanced her studies and activities at multiple campuses with a part-time job at downtown Cleveland’s Luca Italian Cuisine. That’s where she worked when she received the life-altering recommendation to attend Tri-C.

The decision to enroll at the College came just days before the 2018 fall semester began. She remembers scrambling to get courses scheduled.

“I’m glad I went for it,” Rrustemaj said. “That decision changed my life.”

Shahzeb Malik gained national recognition for his work at Tri-C after being named a 2020 Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholar. The 18-year-old from Strongsville said the College’s campus culture helped him achieve and graduate with two degrees.

“Tri-C forces the student to stand on their own two feet, but has a hand on their back in case they slip.”