Spring 2025 Commencement: Tyler Oboy Earns Two Degrees at 18
Tyler Oboy will spend more time at commencement ceremonies this spring than most students his age.
The 18-year-old Medina resident will earn two associate degrees from Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) — an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Science — before he graduates from high school in early June as the valedictorian of his class.
"I have always been a pretty serious person," Oboy said.
His seriousness has helped him succeed at a young age. Through the third grade, Oboy attended public school in person. His parents enrolled him in an online school for his fourth-grade year, believing it would be a good fit for his focused personality.
He began attending Tri-C as a seventh grader through the College Credit Plus (CCP) program. CCP is a dual enrollment program that allows students to take college courses while completing high school. The program is open to students in grades seven through 12.
"Having been out of the brick-and-mortar setting for many years, I wondered how the transition would go — especially in a college setting," Oboy said. "But it was a very good experience. I mixed well with the other students, and the teachers were great."
He completed 89 credit hours at Tri-C, which will transfer toward a bachelor's degree.
Oboy will graduate from the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences on May 16 at the Wolstein Center. He was accepted to the Business School and Honors Program at the University of Dayton, where he will study accounting.
"My father also went to UD and studied accounting," Oboy said. "He spent his career in community banking until he recently retired. I will follow in my father's footsteps and hope to enjoy a nice career, as he did."
Describe your Tri-C experience. Has a specific person, class or event played a role in your success?
I am especially grateful to my advisor, Professor Sandra Ranallo, who was so instrumental in helping me navigate the courses that would help me achieve my goals of transferring to a four-year university. She also encouraged me to take a few more courses and earn two degrees.
How has Tri-C changed your life?
I am so grateful for my experience at Tri-C because it has given me a giant leap forward in college. I can earn my bachelor's degree from UD in two years.
Do you have any pearls of wisdom to share with students considering a similar degree or certificate program?
Tri-C has so much to offer students from a wide range of backgrounds. I was there as a high school student, and there were adults in my class coming back to earn a degree for the first time or change their career path. It is never too late or too early to further your education, and Tri-C is the perfect place to do that, offering support for everyone.
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 05, 2025
By Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu