Spring 2026 Commencement: Stefanie Wims
Stefanie Wims knows firsthand how powerful support can be and why showing up for young people matters. Growing up, her family emphasized strong values and the importance of education, but life presented serious challenges. As her grandmother battled Alzheimer's disease and Wims faced her own personal struggles, her path to a high school diploma was delayed.
Still, she never lost sight of her goals.
Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) became her second chance. After earning her GED diploma, Wims stayed the course, building confidence and momentum one semester at a time.
Along the way, Wims rooted herself deeply in campus life to prepare for a future dedicated to helping adolescents navigate challenges. She was vice president of Active Minds, a student-run organization promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention, and a Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Continuing Scholar. She also served as a peer influencer with the Help Is Here team and worked as a student ambassador in the Counseling department, gaining valuable experience supporting peers and the campus community.
"I am passionate about helping youth because adolescence is a critical and challenging time and having a supportive adult can make a huge difference in guiding them toward their goals," Wims said.
Wims will earn an Associate of Arts in Psychology and a certificate in Chemical Dependency. She will graduate from the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences when the College celebrates Spring Commencement on May 15 at the Wolstein Center.
"My goal is to work in schools, helping adolescents overcome personal barriers and succeed both academically and emotionally," Wims said.
She will continue as a Mandel Scholar at Cleveland State University as a full scholarship recipient and plans to earn a bachelor's degree in psychology.
What made you choose Tri-C?
Tri-C offered the support and flexibility I needed to continue my education and achieve my goals. I first enrolled to complete my GED diploma and continued my education here to pursue my associate degree.
Describe your Tri-C experience. Has a specific person, class or event played a role in your success?
My experience has been very rewarding. Tri-C provided me with the support, resources and opportunities I needed to grow academically and personally. Being a Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Scholar has played a significant role in my success by giving me guidance, mentorship and motivation to stay focused on my goals.
How has Tri-C changed your life?
Tri-C gave me a second chance at education and helped me regain confidence in my abilities. The sense of family and community made me feel encouraged and motivated, which helped me stay on track toward my goals.
Do you have any pearls of wisdom to share with students considering a similar degree or certificate program?
When things get tough, don't give up. Take it one day at a time and lean on the Tri-C community, whether it's a mentor, teacher, adviser or counselor, because they genuinely want to see you succeed.
Tri-C will celebrate the academic achievements of its newest graduates during Commencement on May 15 at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland. Check our Spring 2026 Graduate Stories page leading up to the event for more highlights from the Class of 2026.
May 08, 2026
By Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu