Tri-C Student Adviser Honored for 20 Years of Service, No Retirement Plans in Sight

February 21, 2014

Dr. Jane Schierloh could have retired from Cuyahoga Community College long ago. The manager of Student Support Services and student adviser at the Metro Campus is 78 years old and has been guiding Tri-C students for 20 years. But retiring is not in her plans.

“You have to love what you do and like the people you work with, and I do,” she said. “I’m one of the few people who doesn’t cheer when we have a snow day.”

Dr. Schierloh made her remarks during a surprise luncheon in her honor Feb. 13 at Metro. Students, alumni and colleagues, knowing that a retirement ceremony is unlikely, wanted to be sure Dr. Schierloh received an official public thank you. She also received an engraved plaque, a snow globe and a ukulele serenade from Metro Campus President Dr. Michael Schoop.

Speakers at the luncheon, including some of the first students she worked with, shared heartfelt stories about  Dr. Schierloh continually “going above and beyond” to ensure their success during – and after –their time at Tri-C.

One after another, they recounted examples of Dr. Schierloh helping them overcome struggles and sometimes troubled pasts. One student didn’t have a way to get to the Western Campus. Another wanted to pursue her bachelor’s degree but thought she couldn’t afford it. A man who started at Tri-C at age 50 didn’t have enough money to live on. Dr. Schierloh explained to the first student how to get to campus by bus. She drove the other student to John Carroll University, gave her a tour and helped her apply for financial aid scholarships, all of which she received. And Dr. Schierloh and her husband, Jack, provided a scholarship for the third student with their own money.

“It’s a wonderful experience to have you in our lives,” said Magda Gomez, one of Dr. Schierloh’s first students and the luncheon’s organizer. “We at the College are always striving for student success and completion and Jane exemplifies that.”

Dr. Schierloh has seemingly kept in touch everyone she has helped in the past 20 years. As each person spoke, she followed up with praise and encouragement.