Tri-C Famous: Maria Mitchell

#TriCFamous is a bimonthly feature that introduces readers to the people who make the College work while providing a sneak peek into their lives off campus.

Maria Mitchell joined Tri-C in 2007 as an administrative assistant for Academic Affairs. She currently supports Lindsay English, the College’s assistant provost, as administrative assistant for Learning and Engagement at the College’s District Administrative Services office. Learn more about Maria — including the project that kept her busy and socially active during the pandemic — in this week’s Tri-C Famous!

1. What’s your motto or philosophy on life?
Philippians 4:6: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” To me, this means stop stressing about the things you can’t control. And don’t wait until you need something to pray. Always be grateful and blessed for what God has already provided you.

2. What are you most proud of?
My three children: Cameron, 25; Mariah, 18; and London, 15. Cameron graduated from the University of Cincinnati and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in biology from Miami University. Mariah is in her sophomore year at Johnson C. Smith University after completing her first year remotely. Despite the pandemic, she managed to earn a 3.8 GPA and joined Alpha Lambda Delta, the honor society for first-year academic success. London started his own business at 14. He has a clothing line and does photography and shoe resale. He also participates in AAU travel basketball and will be playing on his school’s junior varsity and varsity teams this year.

3. Tell us about one of your hobbies.
I learned to knit about 10 years ago. A co-worker at Corporate College used to knit on her lunch break, and I asked her to make me a hat. She asked if I’d like to learn, and the next day she gave me my first pair of knitting needles and a skein of yarn. I had lessons during lunch, and I’d practice at home. Some of my favorite things to knit are hats, scarves and baby blankets. During the pandemic, I made what I refer to as my “COVID Quilt.” I worked together with a group of ladies, and we would meet monthly via Zoom to go over new patterns and stitches. We made one square each month for an entire year, and in the 12th month, we stitched the squares together to make our own beautiful knit quilts. 

Want to be Tri-C Famous? Email beth.cieslik@tri-c.edu for a chance to be featured (or to nominate someone else!)

November 09, 2021

Beth Cieslik, 216-987-4538 or beth.cieslik@tri-c.edu