60 years
My Tri-C
My Tri-C Student Resources News & Events Corporate College Alumni Give
Paying for College Apply Visit

Getting Started

Whether you want to earn a degree, improve your skills, get certified, train for a new career, or explore a new hobby, you can choose from many programs and courses.

Get Started
What type of student are you?
New Student
Returning
Transfer
Visiting
International
College Credit Plus
Non-Credit
All Student Types

Classes & Programs

Explore your interests and find a program that puts you on the path to a bright future. Tri-C offers both credit and non-credit courses as well as certificate programs in most career fields.

View all

Degree Programs & Certificates

More than 1,000 credit courses are offered each semester in more than 200 career and technical programs. Tri-C also grants short-term certificates, certificates of proficiency and post-degree professional certificates.

View A-Z Program List

Workforce Training & Professional Development

Tri-C's Workforce Training provides both non-credit and credit training for individuals and businesses to assist individuals with skills leading to employment. Tri-C's Corporate College provides professional development and corporate training opportunities.

Learn more

Community Programming for Adults & Youth

Tri-C offers a variety of affordable and convenient community programs for both adults and youth. These programs are designed to promote individual development.

Learn more

Request Info

Tri-C is here for you. Have a question about a program or service? We'll help you find the answer.

Ask a Question

Live Chat

Chat live with college departments and services.

Start live chat

Tri-C 24/7

Outside of business hours? Get answers to your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Student Support Services

Ask Tri-C

Get answers to your frequently asked questions from navigating the website to programs and services.

Get Answers

Getting Started

Whether you want to earn a degree, improve your skills, get certified, train for a new career, or explore a new hobby, you can choose from many programs and courses.

Get Started
What type of student are you? New Student Returning Transfer Visiting International College Credit Plus Non-Credit All Student Types

Classes & Programs

Explore your interests and find a program that puts you on the path to a bright future. Tri-C offers both credit and non-credit courses as well as certificate programs in most career fields.

View all

Degree Programs & Certificates

More than 1,000 credit courses are offered each semester in more than 200 career and technical programs. Tri-C also grants short-term certificates, certificates of proficiency and post-degree professional certificates.

View A-Z Program List

Workforce Training & Professional Development

Tri-C's Workforce Training provides both non-credit and credit training for individuals and businesses to assist individuals with skills leading to employment. Tri-C's Corporate College provides professional development and corporate training opportunities.

Learn more

Community Programming for Adults & Youth

Tri-C offers a variety of affordable and convenient community programs for both adults and youth. These programs are designed to promote individual development.

Learn more
Paying for College
Apply
Visit

Request Info

Tri-C is here for you. Have a question about a program or service? We'll help you find the answer.

Ask a Question

Live Chat

Chat live with college departments and services.

Start live chat

Tri-C 24/7

Outside of business hours? Get answers to your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Student Support Services

Ask Tri-C

Get answers to your frequently asked questions from navigating the website to programs and services.

Get Answers
Student Resources News & Events Corporate College Alumni Give

Categories

All Categories Tri-C News and Events Eastern Campus Metropolitan Campus Western Campus Westshore Campus Creative Arts Health Careers Hospitality Information Technology Manufacturing Public Safety Events JazzFest Alumni Athletics Faculty #mytricstory Tri-C Famous Student Success Veterans Community Involvement Corporate College Equity In Outcomes Gifts and Grants Pathway Programs Workforce Innovation
  • Tri-C Home
  • »
  • News and Events
  • »
  • News
  • »
  • Fall 2024 Commencement: Nautica Chappell Makes a Better Life

Fall 2024 Commencement: Nautica Chappell Makes a Better Life

Graphic of Nautica ChappellNautica Chappell is determined to overcome life’s obstacles.

The 26-year-old Cleveland resident is a single mother, serves in the U.S. Army Reserve and is a first-generation college student at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®). She’s also intent on reaping the benefits of her life’s hard work when she sends her child to college.

"I know one day that his experience will be far less stressful than mine," Chappell said.

As a child in the foster care system, Chappell was abused by her adoptive parents. She overcame that experience and made it her mission to provide a happy life for her 7-year-old son.

"As I express the importance of education to my son, I quickly realized he is more likely to do as he sees and not as I say," Chappell said. "That was my wake-up call to join the U.S. Army Reserve and enroll in college."

Chappell previously earned a nursing certification from Tri-C in 2023 and came back to earn her associate degree.

She will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from the School of Nursing and Health Careers during Tri-C’s Fall Commencement on Dec. 12 at the Wolstein Center.

Chappell recently accepted a position as a registered nurse in an intensive care unit and hopes to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. She also plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in nursing from either Cleveland State University, Ohio University or Youngstown State University.

What made you choose Tri-C? When did you first enroll?

I chose Tri-C for a few reasons: affordability, accessibility with multiple locations, and the flexibility to earn an LPN certification and gain health care experience before obtaining my RN degree.

Describe your Tri-C experience. Has a specific person, class or event played a role in your success?

Tri-C has introduced me to lifelong friends and mentors. Professor LaToia Gaitor supported me as a single mom going through school. Assistant Professor Marissa Henriksen motivated me to come back and lecture to future nursing students of Tri-C. After failing a class, I came back stronger than ever and kept my eye on the prize. Lastly, Tri-C’s TRIO program gave me a support system to help resolve challenges along my journey.

How has Tri-C changed your life?

Tri-C gave me the opportunity to start my amazing career as a nurse and provided me with the education toward a career that will allow me to comfortably provide for my child.

Do you have any pearls of wisdom to share with students considering a similar degree or certificate program?

I have a few:

  • Learn the pathophysiology of the disease, then learn and treat your patient.
  • Today’s worries will be tomorrow’s testimony.
  • You only fail when you stop trying.
  • Your child didn’t ask to be here, so give them the life they deserve.

Tri-C will celebrate the academic achievements of its newest graduates during Commencement on Dec. 12 at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland. Check our News and Events page leading up to the event for more highlights from the Class of 2024.

December 11, 2024

By Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu

© 2025 Cuyahoga Community College
700 Carnegie Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115

Quick Links

Employment at Tri-C
my Tri-C space
Athletics
Brightspace
Bookstore
Course Search
College Catalog
Library
Technical Support
Transcripts
Spirit Shop

About Tri-C

About
President's Office
Accreditation
Administrative Departments
Accessibility
Board of Trustees
Student Consumer Information
Title IX Equal Opportunity
Privacy Policy

Campus Locations

Map & Directions
Parking
Campus Police

Connect With Us

Visit Tri-C
Phone Directory
Tri-C 24/7
Ask a Question
Live Chat
Tri-C 216-987-6000 Corporate College 216-987-2800