Chatfield College Confers 35 Associate Degrees at the 51st Commencement Ceremony

Chatfield College celebrated its 51^st Commencement Ceremony on May 14, 2022, and conferred 35 associate degrees between the two campuses. Of the 35 degrees, 13 of the graduates were also high school seniors who completed their degree requirements through Ohio’s College Credit Plus Program. The Honorable Margaret Clark was the commencement speaker for the St. Martin Campus, and Jorge Perez, CEO of the YMCA, was the commencement speaker for the Cincinnati campus.

The class of 2022 has quite the story to tell. From high school drop-outs, single mothers motivated by role modeling the importance of education to their children, two years of Covid protocols, and a 67-year-old graduate who said that she “did not think she belonged because of her age.” She credits the young students who helped her feel like she belonged at Chatfield.

Chatfield’s mission is to meet students where they are and help them move forward from that spot. Many students have tried to gain a college degree in the past, but either life got in the way, or they lacked the support needed at other schools. Alexis Echols, ’22, said, “The professors and staff have been the most helpful in all these traumatic times by helping every student who has come to this school to finish what they started or begin their path to success.” She said of all the schools she has attended or visited, “Chatfield always welcomed anybody with open arms and is prepared to teach in any way possible.”

Since the Ursulines of Brown County opened Chatfield College in 1971, the focus has always been to provide a faith-based, accessible, quality education to students who need and deserve personalized support. As a Catholic, open-enrollment junior college, Chatfield has assisted over 1,000 students in obtaining a college degree from a school that deeply cares about their minds and soul. Maureo Ruffin, ’22, reflected at graduation that Chatfield has brought him a long way and given him time to get closer to God. Isabella Kaufman, ’22 also reflected that many people present in her life at Chatfield led by example and embodied Christ’s love.

The following adults received their associate degrees from Chatfield College:

Shawanda Bradley of Westwood

Iesha Chambers of Over-the-Rhine

Deborah Coleman of Westwood

Juanika McCollum Cooper of Queensgate

Ke’Asia Crossty of Bond Hill

Raven Davis of Delhi

Alexis Echols of Bond Hill

Marla Edwards of Mt. Washington

Donna Harbottle of Owensville, OH

Robin Hodges of Milford, OH

Laytoya Hubbard of North College Hill

Nicole Hughes of Delhi

Johnnella Jackson of Westwood

Donica Jones of Avondale

Pamela Ousley of Westwood

Randalyn Paulus of Fayetteville

Trisha Roberto of Delhi

Anna Robertson of Milford

Maureo Ruffin of Finneytown

Maria Schwietert of Fayetteville

Carol Seale of Clifton Heights

The following high school seniors earned their associate degrees:  

Emma Damewood of Blanchester. Blanchester High School.

Victoria Noel of Goshen. Goshen High School.

Anna Malone of New Vienna, OH. East Clinton High School.

Jenna Stanley of New Vienna, OH. East Clinton High School.

Carter Woollard of Ripley. Eastern High School.

Gracie Schnelle of Fayetteville. Fayetteville-Perry High School.

Ella Sheppard of Felicity. Felicity Franklin High School.

Christiana Schuler of Bethel. Homeschool.

Isabella Kaufman of Union Township, Clermont County. Homeschooled.

Abbygail Ehlers of Lynchburg, OH. Lynchburg-Clay High School.

Mackenzie Straub of Lynchburg, OH. Lynchburg-Clay High School.

Milain Burns of Hillsboro. Lynchburg-Clay High School.

Ciara Wenger of Loveland. Milford High School.