Share Your Dragon Pride

Maryssa shares her mother’s sentiments and remembers their days spent together while on campus fondly, emphasizing the level of care she witnessed her mother receiving when she was a child.

“One of her professors at the time was Mike Herdlick, Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement, and I remember he would always interact with my sister and me when my mom brought us to classes he taught. He even made it a point to always have coloring pages or other activities available for us to do while he lectured. To me, this showed he was more concerned over my mom finishing her education than about my sister and me being potential distractions. I’m going to be a teacher, myself, and this is the type of educator I aspire to be, one who cares about forming personal relationships over everything else.”

After earning dragon wings herself, Maryssa was faced with her own seemingly insurmountable obstacle while on campus. Similarly to her mother’s experience as a student, she received a high level of attention and flexibility from her mentors in light of this adversity.

“I came to TU wanting to be a high school math teacher, and while they didn’t already have this degree program available, they assured me they would figure something out, and tried. After several people failed at making this a reality, they ultimately suggested I transfer schools. I immediately began reaching out to all the ‘higher-ups’ as a last resort, because I knew I wanted to stay at my dream college. I ended up going to Dr. Joyce Hall-Yates, Vice Provost and Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences, in tears, and she set up a meeting with the necessary people right away. Before I knew it, everything had been figured out, and the university arranged for me to get the necessary classes done so I could earn the degree I wanted.”

Maryssa, like her mother, is grateful to those who helped make her dream a reality, to the faculty and staff who weren’t afraid to stray from conventional academic practices in the interest of giving her the tools for success. Having just graduated in December of 2021, Maryssa already misses these people, especially our own Dr. Joyce Hall-Yates. She said, “I’ve had the most incredible relationship with her. Even when it seemed like there was no way for me to get the degree I wanted from the school I love, she created a way, and I’m so grateful. She was on my side from day one, and it was so comforting to have her as my constant advocate. Because of my experience with her and everyone else, I recommend TU to anybody thinking of working or going to school here.”

Maryssa is currently completing the necessary field hours for her student teaching program, and expects to earn her teaching certification / licensure in April. She feels confident in her ability to achieve this end, thanks to the risks taken by her mentors on her behalf and the wonderful education she received. Her alma mater wishes Maryssa the very best in her personal and professional endeavors, and is proud to add her to its long list of distinguished and fiery alumni.

Do you know someone who could be a future Dragon? Are you interested in learning more about Tiffin University and the programs that we offer? As an alum of Tiffin University, we encourage you to share information about Tiffin University and all it has to offer with your family, friends and future college students and their families. We want you to encourage others to join Dragon Nation!

All first-year students who have been accepted to TU and who plan to attend TU on campus in the fall of 2022 receive an academic scholarship ranging from $8,000 to $16,000 towards four years of attendance. This scholarship is awarded based on their cumulative, unweighted high school grade point average.

First-year students with a parent who is an alum also qualify for a $1,000 Legacy Scholarship.

New transfer students who plan to attend TU oncampus also qualify for academic scholarships based on their cumulative, college grade point average. Transfer students must have achieved at least a 2.0 to qualify for a scholarship ranging from $10,000 to $16,000 and must start in the fall of 2022.

Our alumni are our international ambassadors! You create invaluable word-of-mouth marketing and take your knowledge of TU to your hometowns, countries and into your professional and social networks. By communicating with prospective students, you will enable Tiffin University to expand into diverse places. By helping the institution become bigger, stronger and more successful, you are also enhancing the value of your own degree qualification. You illustrate the benefits of a TU education by sharing your collegiate experience and professional success with prospective students.

You may be the reason a student chooses to become a Tiffin Dragon!

For more information please visit, tiffin.edu/apply.

If you have any questions or would like a brochure mailed to you, please contact Sarah DePugh, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, at depughst@tiffin.edu.