Fall 2023 Commencement: Ahmie Yeung Wants To Make the World Better

Lakewood resident and student speaker receives short-term certificate in Conflict Resolution

Ahmie Yeung wants to do everything she can to make the world a better place for as many people as possible. To achieve that goal, Yeung believes we must learn through life's discomforts and struggles.

"Always take advantage of learning opportunities and not just the ones that come in formal academic settings,” Yeung said. “Every struggle is a chance to learn how to do better for yourself and those around you."

Yeung already holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology from Case Western Reserve University and a master's degree in sociology from Cleveland State University. But for Yeung, learning also takes place beyond the classroom.

Yeung, who turned 47 on Dec. 3, first came to Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) in August 2022 and enrolled in the Conflict Resolution short-term certificate program with the eldest of her five sons.

"The way everyone at Tri-C welcomed my children and me, tagging along as chaperone, made me want to enroll for the student experience myself," Yeung said.

In addition to receiving her certificate in Conflict Resolution during the College's Fall Commencement on Dec. 14 at the Wolstein Center, she was chosen as the student speaker.

Yeung is open to returning to Tri-C for other courses.

"I am a lifelong learner," Yeung said. "This may not be the last certificate I earn from Tri-C."

Yeung also hopes to earn a doctorate or law degree with her son, William, who earned an Associate of Arts at Tri-C in 2020.

What made you choose Tri-C? When did you first enroll?
I chose Tri-C because of the warmth of welcome the community gave my sons, who have all thus far started doing coursework at Tri-C as seventh graders via Ohio's College Credit Plus (CCP) program. My second and third sons are current CCP students, my fourth son is in the fifth grade, and my youngest is in the second grade, so I'm working on building up a group of age peers for them.

Describe your Tri-C experience. Has a specific person, class or event played a role in your success?
I have had so many wonderful experiences of being respected as a whole person in my disabled body around Tri-C that it is impossible to name everyone. The Student Services staff, particularly disability support, are fantastic. They've helped me be fully included in so many activities during my time on campus as well as virtually. President Michael Baston is an absolute treasure and brings a warm, inclusive culture to our community. If anyone has a chance to take a class with Ty Olson, go for it — your semester will be better for having time with him in your routine.

How has Tri-C changed your life?
Tri-C has changed my life by allowing me to be a part of helping Tri-C be more inclusive of people who face barriers like I do. There have been so many ways that my light has been able to shine brighter because of the encounters I've had at Tri-C across all levels of community members. I'm looking for ways to stay a part of that and bring that experience to more people.

Do you have any pearls of wisdom to share with students considering a similar degree or certificate program?
Check the alignment of your goals and life values regularly. Look for ways to make adjustments if they are out of alignment or if there are life barriers that prevent "Plan A" from being functional. Success is not linear, and there is not a timeline that will work for everyone. The pathway that works best for one person may be an overwhelming failure that takes too much away from other essential aspects of life for other people. Develop relationships with people who will be honest re-evaluators with you on life goals in a reciprocal way, as this is something we all need across our lifespans. Seek out perspectives different from your own in these relationships, and take usable feedback that will help you improve, regardless of how nice or agreeable you find the source of the feedback to be.

Cuyahoga Community College will celebrate the academic achievements of its newest graduates during Commencement on Dec. 14 at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland. Check our News and Events page leading up to the event for more highlights from the Class of 2023.

December 14, 2023

By Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu