Spring 2025 Commencement: Josephine Yousef Finds ‘Family’ at Tri-C

In 2015, Josephine Yousef couldn't have imagined how her life was about to change. She was living in Syria. She had a degree in English literature and was teaching English to first and second graders.

That's when she met someone. They went on a date, and by 2016, they were engaged. She followed her fiancé to Northeast Ohio, and that year, they married. Two years later, they had a newborn daughter, along with the joy and stress that come with it all.

"I was searching, wondering what I should do," Yousef said. "I still wanted to achieve my dreams."

That's when a cousin told her about the Radiography program at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®). After some research, she learned about Northeast Ohio's strong health care job market and enrolled at Tri-C in 2022.

"I've always been interested in science, even in my country," Yousef said. "Courses about the human body and bones and dealing with patients are interesting."

She added that taking classes helped her come out of her shell in the U.S.

Things seemed on cruise control until June 2023, when her daughter was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of cancer. Yousef was in her third semester at the College, and that's when she realized Tri-C had more to offer than what was listed in the course catalog.

"I was worried all the time," Yousef said. "I told Elizabeth Gildone, the Radiography program manager, that I may not come back. She was very, very supportive. She told me to put my family first."

Yousef took Gildone's advice to take a year off from classes. By May 2024, her daughter was still receiving treatments, but the near-constant oncologist visits and hospital stays had slowed, and Yousef was able to return to Tri-C.

Yousef's persistence, combined with support from her program faculty and staff, helped her graduate with an Associate of Applied Science from the School of Nursing and Health Professions. She hopes to get a job at University Hospitals, where she has been doing clinicals.

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

When I took my year off, all my professors offered help and support. When I went back, they were very happy and supported me a lot, even emotionally. That really warmed my heart and made me want to go forward.

How has Tri-C changed your life?

If anyone can go to Tri-C, they should. It helped me define and achieve my dream. It's a wonderful college. The instructors treat us like family.

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 09, 2025

By Jarrod Zickefoose, 216-987-4750 jarrrod.zickefoose@tri-c.edu