Fall 2024 Commencement: Student Speaker Joshua Eddie Relies on Ambition To Achieve

Joshua Eddie's ambition and drive are personified through his work ethic and adaptability.

Eddie, 27, has served in the U.S. Air Force for nearly a decade. He also works a full-time job and carried a steady course schedule as a Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) student.

His passions are education and helping others, something afforded to him as an airman.

"Throughout my 10-year Air Force career, I have traveled and helped many other people across the nation and world," Eddie said. "Now I want to help my community by teaching criminal justice, civil rights, rules and regulations."

Eddie's goal is to become a special agent for either the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI or U.S. Marshals Service.

"What interests me most about my future profession is my ability to use it in my community and teach based on all of my experience and knowledge," Eddie said. "That is my ultimate goal."

His military experience helps him to adapt to any environment — including higher education.

The Euclid resident adeptly balanced academics, full-time work and military service to earn his degree in less than two years. He completed seven classes per semester while working as the director of operations for two hotel valet services in downtown Cleveland, supervising 20 to 30 employees. He was even deployed twice over multiple semesters, most recently for hurricane relief.

"What makes me unique is my drive to keep pushing forward and finding a way to achieve my dreams, regardless of the circumstances," Eddie said.

Eddie was selected as the student speaker for Tri-C's Fall Commencement on Dec. 12 at the Wolstein Center, where he will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice from the School of Business, Legal Professions and Hospitality. He plans to attend Franklin University to earn a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration, and then he plans to earn an MBA.

What made you choose Tri-C? When did you first enroll?

Tri-C was my first and only option due to the vast selection of classes throughout the different campuses. This allowed me to complete my degree within a year of enrolling in Fall 2023.

Describe your Tri-C experience. Has a specific person, class or event played a role in your success?

My Tri-C experience has been positive. There are two special shoutouts to professors Dionna Stewart and John Clayton, who have both been such great role models to me throughout my time at Tri-C.

How has Tri-C changed your life?

Tri-C is the stepping stone to actually taking my education and career seriously. I will always be thankful to Tri-C for that and thankful to all the faculty who helped me along this way.

Do you have any pearls of wisdom to share with students considering a similar degree or certificate program?

Do it: there is only room to grow and learn from it. You are only going to succeed if you have the mentality to do so.

Tri-C will celebrate the academic achievements of its newest graduates during Commencement on Dec. 12 at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland. Check our News and Events page leading up to the event for more highlights from the Class of 2024.

December 12, 2024

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