Fall 2025 Commencement: Ashley Renee Hunter Finds Accomplishment at Tri-C
Ashley Renee Hunter's path to graduation has been anything but ordinary. She first enrolled at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) in 2008, drawn to the welcoming atmosphere she knew from choir events at the Western Campus.
But life soon took her in a different direction — becoming a military spouse and moving away — which put her education on hold for nearly a decade. After years of deployments, the pandemic and major life changes, she returned to Tri-C, determined to finish what she started.
Her journey has been marked by resilience in the face of tremendous loss — including the passing of her son, William, and other family members — that deepened her appreciation for family and perseverance.
"What makes me unique is my ability to build strong bonds, whether organizing family gatherings or supporting others with compassion, organization and a natural bedside manner," she said.
Hunter works at the Cleveland Clinic and has seen how essential good communication is in health care.
"My Associate of Liberal Arts degree fits perfectly with the work I'm already doing," she said.
Hunter will graduate from the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences when the College celebrates Fall Commencement on Dec. 11 at the Wolstein Center.
After graduation, she plans to continue her career at the Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital while she and her husband work toward starting a family.
"I've realized how important it is to focus on the people we love, and that has motivated me to prioritize building our family," Hunter said.
What made you choose Tri-C?
I was already familiar with the Western Campus through combined choir events, and it was always a welcoming place when I would go there.
Describe your Tri-C experience. Has a specific person, class or event played a role in your success?
I've always felt supported by the Tri-C community. My interactions with instructors, advisors and classmates have been meaningful and have made me feel connected even as a nontraditional, returning student. Tri-C's flexibility allowed me to succeed while managing real-life commitments.
How has Tri-C changed your life?
Tri-C has given me a true sense of accomplishment. After years of putting my education on hold, I was finally able to return and earn my college degree in a way that fit both my life and my budget. Tri-C made it possible for me to finish what I started, grow academically and personally, and feel proud of the direction my life is heading.
Do you have any pearls of wisdom to share with students considering a similar degree or certificate program?
Just start, even if life isn't perfect. You can move at your own pace, pause when life gets hard, and still come back stronger. I returned to school in my 30s after major life changes and personal losses, and I'm graduating now because I refused to give up.
Stay organized, lean on your support system, communicate with instructors, and remember that every class brings you one step closer to the future you want.
Tri-C will celebrate the academic achievements of its newest graduates during Commencement on Dec. 11 at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland. Check our News and Events page leading up to the event for more highlights from the Class of 2025.
December 11, 2025
By Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu