Cuyahoga Community College
Cuyahoga Community CollegeCuyahoga Community College
  • Getting Started
  • Paying for College
  • Classes, Programs & Certificates
  • Student Resources
  • Community
  • Alumni
  • Give
  • my Tri-C space
  • Workforce Training
  • Community Education
  • Corporate College
  • News & Events
  • About Tri-C

Categories

  • All Categories
  • Tri-C
  • Eastern Campus
  • Metropolitan Campus
  • Western Campus
  • Westshore Campus
  • Creative Arts
  • Health Careers
  • Hospitality
  • Information Technology
  • Manufacturing
  • Public Safety
  • Events
  • JazzFest
  • Alumni
  • Athletics
  • Faculty
  • #mytricstory
  • Tri-C Famous
  • Student Success
  • Veterans
  • Community Involvement
  • Corporate College
  • Equity In Outcomes
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Pathway Programs
  • Workforce Impact
  • Tri-C Home
  • »
  • News and Events
  • »
  • news
  • »
  • Tri-C Famous

Tri-C Famous: Monica Starks

Tri-C Famous: Monica Starks#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. 

Monica Starks joined Tri-C as an assessment technician in 1995 before becoming an educator. Now a sociology lecturer based at Westshore Campus, her courses cover topics including death and dying, family, gender, and race and ethnicity. She’s taught at least one semester at each of Tri-C’s four campuses. 

  1. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
    Michelle Obama said, “When they go low, you go high.” As an African American, and as a woman, I experience people “going low” by repeatedly gaslighting me or devaluing my worth. Though I want to respond angrily, I remember Mrs. Obama’s advice and “go high” instead. 
  1. What are you most proud of?
    I’ve written for several magazines, and I was a columnist for the Call & Post newspaper for two years. But the thing that made me proudest was becoming a published author. My book, Down, But Not Out: My Journey With Chronic Kidney Disease, came out last year. 
  1. What’s your motto or philosophy on life?
    My motto is a quote from my late mentor, Dr. Charleyse S. Pratt: “The evidence of learning is changed behavior.” It reminds me why I became an educator. I’m not only educating my students, I’m also assisting them in their transformation from where they began to where their degrees will lead. It also exemplifies my personal journey from inner-city youth to college professor. 

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

June 23, 2020

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

Ask TRI-C

Welcome to Cuyahoga Community College's online knowledge base of frequently asked questions and answers.

Visit Ask Tri-C

Live Chat

Welcome to the Online Service Center @ Cuyahoga Community College! Live Chat provides users with general information about the enrollment processes at Tri-C

Chat Now

Contact Us

Tri-C
216-987-6000
Corporate College
216-987-2800
Phone Directory Tri-C 24/7 Ask Us a Question

Campuses & Locations

Parking Visit Tri-C Request More Information

Connect With Us

  • Like Us On Facebook
  • Follow Us On Twitter
  • Connected With Us On LinkedIn
  • Follow Us On Instagram
  • Subscribe to Us On Youtube
my TRI-C space Blackboard Employment Accreditation

© 2014 Cuyahoga Community College 700 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115Privacy PolicyAdministrative DepartmentsCampus Police