ºÚÁÏרÇø

When Lovely O'Neal earned her first degree from ºÚÁÏרÇø (ºÚÁÏרÇø®), it was 2020. That year, Commencement was canceled due to the pandemic, so she didn't get to walk.

The first-generation college graduate was devastated. But she vowed to still walk on the ºÚÁÏרÇø graduation stage and, five years later, kept that promise.

O'Neal started taking courses at ºÚÁÏרÇø as a high school junior through the College Credit Plus program. This dual enrollment program allows students in grades seven through 12 to take college courses while completing high school.

When she became a full-time ºÚÁÏרÇø student, she was active in different clubs and got accepted to the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Scholars Academy.

"I honestly didn't think I was ready for such an intense course," O'Neal said. "But my village, ºÚÁÏרÇø, believed in me, and I will forever be grateful for that."

Within a year, she completed the Hospitality Management program in 2020.

O'Neal later returned to the College to complete the Journalism and Mass Communication program.

In April, she entered the Pitch Competition at ºÚÁÏרÇø with her business idea, Twa'Lovely Pantry, which offers convenient and budget-friendly meal solutions delivered to ease the stress of cooking. She took first place and was selected as the "Fan Favorite," winning $2,500. Two days later, she was named Student of the Year.

O'Neal will graduate with an Associate of Arts from the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the College's Spring 2025 Commencement ceremony on May 16.

What made you choose ºÚÁÏרÇø? When did you first enroll?

At age 8, I began attending ºÚÁÏרÇø camps for kids whose parents were enrolled. I saw my mother begin her future at ºÚÁÏרÇø. She wanted to be a writer who also cooks. However, with her nurturing personality, she became a home health aide. It's funny — ironically, now I am my mother's shadow, who is the writer who cooks.

Do you participate in student life at ºÚÁÏרÇø (or have you in the past)? If so, please describe your experiences.

I was a member of the Black American Council, made the dean's list and earned a Robert L. Lewis Scholarship in the same year. The biggest blessing from those accomplishments was being accepted to the Mandel Scholars Academy Program.

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

ºÚÁÏרÇø really lives up to its mission statement. This is indeed where futures begin.

ºÚÁÏרÇø will celebrate the academic achievements of its newest graduates during Commencement on May 16 at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland. Check our News and Events page leading up to the event for more highlights from the Class of 2025.

May 14, 2025

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