Robert E. Cade

From Tri-C Student and Entrepreneur to Social Worker and Community Leader

For Robert E. Cade, education has never simply been about earning a degree. It has been about creating opportunities, turning ideas into reality, reinventing himself and, ultimately, using his experiences to help others.

At Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®), Cade found a place where he felt comfortable learning. He recalls professors who were genuinely invested in students like him and staff who cared about his goals. That environment made education feel personal.

Cade earned his associate degree in Business Administration from Tri-C in May 2004, developing a foundation in business, management, leadership and entrepreneurship. He combined his passion for cooking with the business knowledge and entrepreneurial skills he had developed through his education.

One of Cade's proudest Tri-C memories reflects the personal investment of his instructors. Several former professors came to Cade's downtown restaurant, Just Like Mom's, for lunch.

"It felt good having my professors come to the restaurant because they were able to see my goals in real life," he said. "They had known me as a student with ideas and ambitions, and now they could see what I had built."

Just Like Mom's was named a Best Restaurant by Scene Magazine, and Cade was recognized as a Crain's Cleveland Business New Leader. After selling the restaurant in 2015, Cade consulted with a Tri-C career advisor and determined that his experiences and interests could translate into a career in social work.

In 2017, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) from Akron University and was inducted into The National Society of Leadership and Success. He then earned his Master of Social Work (MSW) in 2019 and was also inducted into Phi Alpha National Social Work Honor Society. To strengthen his business leadership skills, he completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2022. He is currently enrolled in Capella University's Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program.

Today, Cade serves as a clinical mental health counselor with CHOICES Behavioral Health Care in Cleveland. He provides mental health, alcohol and drug services, therapeutic interventions, behavioral health support, family engagement and treatment planning. He also facilitates community-based services for all ages.

He continues to explore a variety of entrepreneurial opportunities and is currently developing his own behavioral healthcare venture.

More than two decades after earning his associate degree, Cade still remembers how Tri-C served as a springboard.

"Never underestimate where your education can take you," he said. "Your education is something no one can ever take away from you. The degree you earn today may open a door immediately — or something you learn or someone you meet may help guide you years later.

"Your first career does not have to be your last career. It is never too late to return to school, reinvent yourself, pursue another degree, start a business or discover a new purpose."