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Sophia Wood finds her Passion in the English Program

When Sophia Wood graduated from high school, she had two personal goals in mind – attend a Big 10 University and graduate debt free. 

Thanks to ������̳ Mansfield (and her financial discipline), she will accomplish both goals when she graduates May 4. 

“When I was a junior and senior in high school, I knew that ������̳ Mansfield was my first choice,” she said. “I wanted to get through college without any debt. That was very, very important to me, and I also wanted to attend a well-rounded university.” 

Wood was an English major from day one, and says the experience helped her develop her writing and rhetoric skills, critical thinking and attention to detail.

Although she was often asked by her peers, “What will you do with an English degree,” Wood was confident from the start that she would get a good job.

She will begin as a paralegal for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office May 5, just one day after graduation.

“When I’m asked, ‘What can you do with an English major?’ my answer is anything and everything,” said Wood. “I will do anything I want because I have an English degree and have learned the art of rhetoric and communication. This English program can and will help prepare you for that.”

One of her best experiences outside of the classroom was serving as a student worker in the Dean’s Suite, as an assistant to Cindy Wood (no relation), director of development and community affairs at ������̳ Mansfield.

“Having Sophia as a student writer on our dean’s office team has been an invaluable experience for both her and us,” said Cindy Wood. “She channeled her passion for writing and literature into storytelling that connects alumni, donors, community members and students through a current student’s perspective. During her time here, she sharpened her skills in project management, industry communication platforms, and, most importantly, the art of asking thoughtful questions — allowing her to craft meaningful narratives that make a tangible impact.”

Sophia was also active as a tutor in the Conard Learning Center – a place where she also spent time studying and preparing for classes.

She credits Andrew Mueller (CLC director) and Breanna Truax (CLC coordinator) for helping her understand the importance of tutoring and working with students from all kinds of backgrounds.

“Andrew and Breanna made me feel at home, whether I was studying for my own classes or tutoring another student,” Sophia said. “At times, the CLC felt like a second home to me, and I know other students feel the same way.”

While she had strong impressions of campus before arriving, she said the faculty and staff kept her engaged in ways that exceeded her expectations.

“I don’t think I understood the magnitude of this campus and what it does for students until I completed a few classes and worked for Cindy Wood,” Sophia said. “The staff and faculty genuinely care about students and you have the opportunity to develop close relationships and mentorships.”

Sophia said she considers writing to be “sort of like a superpower that has the potential to impact people and change lives.”

Writing has changed her own life for the better, and she looks forward to what the future brings.

Ambassadors for Engineering Technology

Sam Ratvasky and Alec Vanderbilt have become synonymous with the Engineering Technology program at ������̳ Mansfield.

Whether it’s an open house for new students, a tour by industry professionals, a presentation in Ireland or a media interview with a TV station – these two have stepped up and promoted the same program that trained them the last four years.

They came from different parts of the state, and with different backgrounds. Sam grew up in Fairview Park, just west of Cleveland, and Alec grew up in Richland County. Sam learned about the program from an admissions counselor during a visit to his high school in Rocky River. Sam’s father and grandfather were both engineers for NASA, at the Glenn Research Center, so the degree was in his blood. 

Having grown up locally, Alec was always familiar with the campus. He came from a line of carpenters, but after hearing his father talk about the advantages of the engineering technology degree and how it can be completed at ������̳’s regional campuses – Alec decided to enroll.

For both seniors, the degree was life changing. 

“I was always curious about making things, as well as taking things apart and putting them back together,” Sam said. “Putting them back together was the hard part, but as I improved my skills, I learned how things are connected and what makes them work.”

Although they spent a lot of time promoting the degree (in addition to their coursework), both seniors said they enjoyed speaking up, and that interacting with the public helped build leadership and personal skills that go hand-in-hand with their careers.

“We both believe very strongly in this degree, as well as engaging with industry people,” said Alec. “This degree offers a lot of flexibility for those who want to take on the world of engineering. It helped us grow into leaders and perfect our trouble-shooting methodologies.

After graduation, Sam will be employed by Cleveland Controls as a manufacturing automation engineer. Alec is still job searching, but has multiple interviews lined up, and he is an active airman with the Air National Guard in Mansfield.

Amber Rader, assistant professor and coordinator for the Engineering Technology program, said Sam and Alec are very different in terms of personalities, passions and interests outside the classroom, “yet they work together as a team like no one I have ever seen before.”

They routinely share more positive energy and experiences with students and families regarding Engineering Technology than I could ever do, and I know I speak for many of us on the Mansfield campus when I say that they have impacted many in our community,” said Rader. “What they have accomplished both inside and outside of the classroom in their brief time on this campus is truly remarkable.”

Sam and Alec both had high expectations of the program before they came to campus – and what kept them, they said, were the relationships and networking.

“These regional campuses are hidden gems of ������̳,” said Alec. “The quality of professors and the ability to network with small cohorts of students is invaluable.”

Although the program is enjoyable, they both said incoming students should also expect a challenge.

“Don’t think it’s an easy program,” said Sam. “It’s an engineering program – you’re going to have to put in an effort, but if you do all that’s asked of you, you will be surprised at the opportunities you experience.”

Becoming a Teacher was Darian Crews’ Passion

Although her path to college did not directly follow high school, senior Darian Crews followed her passion and ended up where she always wanted to be.

Crews graduated from Buckeye Central High School in 2017 and spent the next four years holding jobs such as certified nursing assistant, and coach for teens with disabilities.

She enjoyed those jobs, but her passion for teaching and becoming a teacher led her back to school – this time to ������̳ Mansfield.

“I’ve always wanted to teach and that’s why I decided to do the education program at Mansfield and be close to where I live,” said Crews, who will graduate May 4 with a Bachelor of Science in Primary Education.

One of the challenges she faced as a student was dealing with disabilities – attention deficit disorder and also dyslexia.

Both conditions caused difficulty with coursework and completing tests, so in high school, she registered for an Individual Education Plan, also known as an IEP.

She kept the same plan in place when she began at ������̳ Mansfield, and she credits the plan and the faculty for making her college experience a success.

“I’ve received a lot of help here at campus, to be able to get to where I need to be and get my classes done,” she said. “A lot of people don’t realize you can have an IEP in college, and for me it made all the difference.”

Strong work ethic

Redmond Wood, education field experience coordinator, said Crews is as hard of a worker and committed student as he’s seen.

“Those traits have helped her to grow remarkably as an educator during her time both pre-program and in-cohort here – and her growth is even more impressive when considering the personal learning challenges that she faces,” said Wood. “Her ability to connect to her students and to provide them the supports they need to meet their learning goals is enhanced through her own experiences, allowing her to connect with her students in a way that other instructors might not be able to achieve.” 

Crews has been passionate about teaching for as long as she can remember – recalling various times as a student when she helped teachers mentor and tutor other students. One such time was when she was in high school, and she helped her art teacher teach ceramics to eighth graders.

Teaching experience

She completed her student teaching experience at John Sherman Elementary School, in Mansfield. She is still searching for full-time employment, but is actively teaching as a substitute in the Mansfield district.

As a student, she found the Conard Learning Center especially welcoming and she used the Writing Center frequently. Later, she secured a job with the CLC as a receptionist.

“The professors and staff, as well as the general campus atmosphere, made me feel very welcome,” she said. 

Crews’ advice for others who may have taken a break after college is to follow your passion.

“If you have a passion to do something, then go after that passion. To me, age doesn’t matter. I knew that going back to school and getting my degree was the route I needed to go, and I’m grateful that I decided to return.”

Small Classes and Professors who Cared made the Difference for Eyerly

Sydney Eyerly has been passionate about becoming a schoolteacher for as long as she can remember. Always good with children and helping them learn, teaching came natural to her and so did ������̳ Mansfield.

“I really wanted a college with small class sizes where I knew I would have a relationship with my professors,” said Eyerly, who will graduate May 4 with a Bachelor of Science in Middle Childhood Education.

“The professors at Mansfield know what to expect of you and you know what to expect from them,” she said. “If I was struggling with a concept, I knew I could talk with them and they would be open to discussion and offering support.”

One of the things she enjoyed most about her professors was their enthusiasm for teaching. That was especially evident in Red Wood’s class on student teaching assessment. He is the Education Field Experience Coordinator for campus.

“My class was at 8 a.m. on Fridays, and he was always excited to see us and getting us excited to learn and that is something I learned that I need to be in my classroom,” said Eyerly.

She will be teaching fifth-grade math and social studies this fall for Mount Vernon City Schools in Knox County.

Terri Bucci, associate professor of education at ������̳ Mansfield, said Eyerly’s passion for working with others was clear from the start.

“When she came to campus, her passion for working with others was clear,” said Bucci. “Throughout her tenure at ������̳ Mansfield, Sydney has enriched the lives of students K-16 through her work with math camps across the region, as the Math Literacy Initiative Intern, and as a true academic and instructional leader in her cohort. Sydney demonstrates all that we strive for as Buckeye educators.”  

Eyerly completed her student teaching experience at Eastern Elementary in the Lexington School District. During her time at ������̳, she enjoyed working with students and faculty from diverse backgrounds – and from urban areas to rural.

Ashley Smith, instructor and assistant education coordinator at ������̳ Mansfield, said Eyerly asked question in the classroom that improved herself and others.

“She cares deeply about her studies and is willing to share her creative thinking with her peers,” Smith said. “She is passionate about making sure her students know and love social studies and mathematics.”