Student Success Specialists

What we do.

• Student Success Specialists are an invaluable resource to help you succeed that are located at each campus. They can answer your questions, be an advocate, and help you find needed services on campus and in the community.

How can we connect you.

• Connect you with Financial Aid: Navigating the financial aid process to address financial need.
• Connect you with Student Accessibility Services (SAS): Supports students with academic disability accommodations.
• Connect you with Career Center: Career guidance, resume building, and interview skills.
• Connect you to Counseling: Academic advising, personal advising, and crisis intervention.

How we can help.

• Maintain contact with students in order to enhance academic success and increase retention/graduation rates.
• Meet with students in requested one-on-one sessions in order to increase motivation, encourage achievement, monitor academic success and assess student’s ability to persist to the next semester/academic year.
• Browse for courses to build schedule and other Cuyahoga Community College processes.
• Provide immediate (24-48 hour) follow-up on all early alert referrals, directly allowing students to the appropriate resources available to help ensure their success.
• Referral to community resources as needed.

Commonly Utilized Virtual Student Resources:

• Connect to Webex from your computer: Handout about connecting to a Webex to join a virtual lecture or class meeting from your computer.
• Connect to Webex from your mobile device: Handout about connecting to a Webex to join a virtual lecture or class meeting from your smartphone or mobile device.

For additional resources, including 24/7 Brainfuse tutoring, Degree Works, Brightspace and much more, log in to my Tri-C space and navigate to the Student tab, located on the left side of the page. As always, please feel free to contact a Student Success Specialist for additional support.

Your Student Success Specialists

Students are assigned to Student Success Specialists according to the first letter of their last name.

Hillary Leonard

hillary.leonard@tri-c.edu
216-987-2298
ESS 1101

East Campus Students Last Names A-M

Hillary Leonard is a passionate higher education professional committed to student success and equity. Originally from Ashtabula, Ohio, she earned her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Toledo in 2011 and her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Tiffin University in 2025. Her journey began as a work-study student at the University of Toledo Counseling Center and continued with two years of AmeriCorps service through College Now Greater Cleveland. She later supported students as a College Now Advisor and worked in financial aid at John Carroll University from 2014 to 2019. Hillary joined Tri-C in 2019 as a Financial Aid Advisor and became a Student Success Specialist at the Eastern Campus in 2022.

Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, Lake Erie, caring for her dog Koda, and volunteering with Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue.

Hillary believes education is a powerful tool for upward mobility and lasting change.

Quida Patterson

quida.patterson@tri-c.edu
216-987-2638
ESS 1101

East Campus Students Last Names N-Z

Quida Patterson earned her associate degree in Paralegal Studies (2014) and a bachelor’s in Business Management (2016) from Bryant & Stratton College. She is currently pursuing a master’s in Higher Education at Tiffin University. Her higher education career began in 2014 as a work-study student, eventually leading to a role as a Financial Aid Advisor at her alma mater. She also worked with a nonprofit in Euclid, Ohio, supporting single parents in earning their GEDs and pursuing college. Quida joined Tri-C in 2019 as a Financial Aid Advisor, serving both the Metropolitan and Eastern campuses until 2025, when she transitioned to her current role as a Student Success Specialist.

In this position, she collaborates with faculty to support student engagement, retention, and achievement through academic initiatives and data-driven strategies.

Outside of work, Quida enjoys spending time with family, singing, and cooking.

Verita Bell

verita.bell@tri-c.edu
216-987-4008
MSS G15

Metro Campus Students Last Names A-M

For nearly 20 years,  Verita has been part of Cuyahoga Community College, starting in the Bursar’s Office, then the Admissions Office, and now serving as a Student Success Specialist.

She’s passionate about helping students feel confident, supported, and connected as they work toward their goals. With her deep knowledge of college processes and her friendly, approachable style,  Verita enjoys guiding students through challenges, celebrating their wins, and making sure they know they’re never alone on their academic journey.

Untaya Miller

untaya.miller@tri-c.edu
216-987-2016
MSS G15

Metro Campus Students Last Name N-Z

Taya Miller began her journey at Cuyahoga Community College as a Student Ambassador, later spending nine years in the Enrollment Center, where she supported students through every stage of their academic journey.

Her deep commitment to student success led her to her current role as a Student Success Specialist at the Metro Campus, where she focuses on retention, academic support, and empowering learners to achieve their goals.

Angie Csepi

angie.csepi@tri-c.edu
216-987-5147
WSS G100B

West Campus Students Last Names A-M

Angie Csepi is a Student Success Specialist at the Western Campus of Cuyahoga Community College. Her journey began at Tri-C, where she started as a part-time student in the Early Childhood Education program. Within a year, she transitioned to full-time studies and was offered a part-time position in the college's former childcare center. She graduated from Tri-C in 1998 and became a full-time employee in the childcare center in 2002.

Over the years, Angie has held various roles across campus, including positions in the library, media services, and counseling, ultimately leading to her current role as a Student Success Specialist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management and a master’s degree in education.

Angie is passionate about working directly with students and takes pride in supporting their growth and success. She is dedicated to ensuring that every student has the same positive and enriching experience at Tri-C that she once had.

Zachary Sours

zachary.sours@tri-c.edu
216-987-5675
WSS G100

West Campus Students Last Names N-Z

Zachary earned his master’s degree in Public History, along with graduate certificates in Museum Studies and TESOL, from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. After graduating, he spent a year teaching English in Fuzhou, China. He began working at Cuyahoga Community College in 2018 in the Library and Learning Commons. He also held positions with the Aspire (Ohio Options) Program at the Eastern Campus and the Enrollment Center at the Metropolitan Campus before becoming a Student Success Specialist at the Western Campus.

He enjoys helping students from different backgrounds achieve their academic goals.

Katie Ponsart

katie.ponsart@tri-c.edu
216-987-3261
SHCS 141 O

All Westshore Campus Students

Katie currently serves as the Student Success Specialist at the Westshore campus. She enjoys getting to meet students and walking alongside them on their academic journey. Prior to becoming the Student Success Specialist, Katie was the Student Life Advisor for the Westshore campus where she enjoyed creating fun and welcoming events for students.

Katie holds a B.A from Mount Vernon Nazarene University.