Spring 2025 Commencement: Aboubacar Ati Alher’s Journey of Resilience
Aboubacar Ati Alher believes that resilience writes the best success stories. And his journey from Amazon packer to IT professional with a 4.0 GPA is a showcase of resilience.
When Alher arrived from Mali four years ago, he only spoke French. The 32-year-old cybersecurity student and Lakewood resident enrolled at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) in 2021 after friend and Tri-C graduate Mohammad Almahamoud said the College was the best place to learn English.
"He was right," Alher said. "ESL classes became my foundation for everything."
Alher is passionate about turning barriers into bridges, whether it is helping international students adjust or securing digital systems.
While at Tri-C, Alher became the vice president of the Cybersecurity Club, where he helped other students develop technical skills while strengthening his leadership abilities. His volunteer work at the Lakewood Public Library allowed him to give back to his new community.
Through those experiences, he earned a Tri-C Student Leadership Certificate and was named the Western Campus Student of the Year for 2025.
"Each opportunity taught me that true leadership combines service, knowledge sharing and continuous growth," Alher said.
Alher will graduate with an Associate of Applied Business from the School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering and Computer Science on May 16 at the Wolstein Center. He plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity at Western Governors University and hopes to become a cybersecurity analyst.
Describe your Tri-C experience. Has a specific person, class or event played a role in your success?
My Tri-C success was built with incredible support: Dr. Rose Desmond at the Eastern Campus made cybersecurity concepts click for me, while Natalie Nurse at the Western Campus guided me during my 2024 summer internship at the IT Center of Excellence and continues to guide me. Felicia Barker at the Metro Career Center transformed my resume and interview skills, which helped me land my Amazon IT role. And Dr. Rebecca Carte pushed me to join the Honors program, believing I could achieve more than I imagined. These mentors didn't just teach me — they invested in my potential.
How has Tri-C changed your life?
Tri-C transformed me from a nervous immigrant using Google Translate to a confident leader with technical skills, a perfect GPA and a career path. It gave me both an education and an American family.
Do you have any pearls of wisdom to share with students considering a similar degree or certificate program?
First, use every campus resource because they are lifesavers. Second, your background is your superpower. Third, remember my favorite quote from Albert Einstein, who said, "Adversity introduces a man to himself."
Tri-C will celebrate the academic achievements of its newest graduates during Commencement on May 16 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.
May 07, 2025
By Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu