“No matter what life throws at you, keep going. You don’t stop when it gets hard—you stop when you’re done.” ~Shoniya Woodruff, 2026 Commencement Speaker
“The three lessons that will stay with me are gratitude, resilience and the power of community. This journey has shown me that success is never achieved alone.” ~Kiara Rodgers, 2026 Nursing Pinning Speaker
The Spring 2026 Commencement and nursing pinning ceremonies for 91Ƭ University at Geauga and Twinsburg Academic Center will be held on Friday, May 8, at Parkside Church in Bainbridge. The nursing pinning ceremony begins at noon., followed by the Commencement ceremony at 2 p.m.
This year, the Regional Campus held auditions to select a student commencement speaker. Valerie Gonzalez-Trenn, outreach and community engagement manager for 91Ƭ Geauga/TAC, said that the auditions were so inspiring that two Twinsburg Academic Center students in the ADN program were selected: Shoniya Woodruff as the Commencement speaker and Kiara Rodgers as the nursing pinning ceremony speaker.
91Ƭ Geauga/TAC is pleased to introduce these two model students who are committed to serving patients with skilled, compassionate care while pursuing their academic journeys, despite their personal struggles. Those unable to attend the May 8 ceremonies to hear Woodruff and Rodgers speak can watch a livestream video at www.kent.edu/geauga/commencement.
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER SHONIYA WOODRUFF
The search committee unanimously chose Woodruff to speak at Commencement 2026. Gonzalez-Trenn said her speech was moving, motivating and celebratory. “From start to finish, (her) words carried something special, but the golden eagle metaphor soared above everything else.”
Woodruff was raised in the Cleveland area, predominantly in Lyndhurst, and graduated from Charles F. Brush High School. She has wanted to be a nurse since childhood, inspired by the nurses who cared for both of her grandmothers, who suffered from chronic diseases.
Q & A with Shoniya:
1. Why did you choose to attend this Regional campus for your undergraduate studies?
One of my colleagues recommended that I choose this particular campus. I am thankful to her because this was the best college experience I could’ve asked for. It's also really close to my home, so the commute was not horrible, and the tuition was very affordable.
2. Why did you choose to pursue a nursing degree? What is your ultimate career goal?
I chose to pursue an Associate of Science in nursing because I want to expand my nursing career. I became an LPN at 18 and started working at one of the Level 1 trauma hospitals in Cleveland. After graduation, I plan to continue my education at Youngstown State University and pursue my Bachelor of Science in nursing. My ultimate career goal is to gather experience to become a nurse practitioner so I can possibly do missionary work around the world.
3. How has your 91Ƭ Geauga/TAC experience informed your current involvement in the nursing field, and how may it impact your future endeavors?
My experience here has been a rollercoaster, but in the best way. It has taught me so much about myself, both personally and professionally. I’ve grown in my nursing knowledge, my confidence and my ability to connect with people from all different backgrounds. That growth has carried into my everyday life, especially in how I care for my patients.
More than anything, my education has taught me that life requires persistence and perseverance. Without those qualities, it’s hard to reach your goals, especially in nursing. As nurses, we have to advocate, teach, comfort and continuously learn. That requires resilience. These are lessons I will carry with me far beyond graduation.
I’ve also learned the importance of maintaining a positive mindset. My classmates will tell you I was the “countdown person.” When things got tough, I’d remind them exactly how many days we had left until graduation. It sounds simple, but it kept us going. That experience helped shape me into a more positive and determined person. College has truly taught me that it’s mind over matter.
4. What challenges have you faced along your academic journey that you will address in your commencement speech?
My mom was fighting breast cancer as I started school, so being a caregiver, working full time and going to school full time, proved to be a real challenge. Trying to find work, life and school balance is not for the faint of heart. Between working the night shift, coming straight to class for five hours and taking an exam, then going home and studying all over again, was difficult. It pushed me in every way, but it also showed me that while it was hard, it was not impossible. And watching my mom fight breast cancer while I was learning how to care for others changed me; it made nursing personal.
5. Which extracurricular organizations and activities at 91Ƭ Geauga/TAC have best prepared you for your future?
Being a part of Alpha Delta Nu – the honor society for ADN nursing – has truly helped me connect with people that I would not have connected with on my own. It has taught me teamwork, professional networking, versatility, humility and leadership. I will take these qualities into my professional career and also my own personal life.
6. Your audition featured an inspiring golden eagle metaphor. What can you share about this without spoiling any surprise factors before you deliver your speech?
I would say that not everyone can be a Golden Flash and that each one of us should be proud to be a Golden Flash. It is more than just a mascot; it is more than wearing the colors. It is a mindset.
7. What is the essential message of your upcoming speech?
Persevere, no matter what obstacles come our way. Keep going. There's a quote that my parents taught me to live by: “It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. I didn’t hear a bell.”
It comes from the movie Rocky. And that quote always stuck with me because it taught me, no matter how hard our trials, challenges or experiences are, if we keep moving forward, we will win in life. It’s about resilience, pride and pushing forward, even when things get tough.
The “I didn’t hear a bell” part is a scene where Rocky is fighting, and he says that asserting that the fight isn't over until he says it is symbolizes not giving up until it’s time. As Golden Flashes in 91Ƭ culture, we do not give up until we have achieved what we desire. I just want anyone to know that college is not impossible. It takes hard work, but it truly pays off. No matter what life throws at you, keep going. You don’t stop when it gets hard. You stop when you’re done.
NURSING PINNING SPEAKER KIARA RODGERS
Gonzalez-Trenn shared with Kieara Rodgers that her speech was wonderful, and everyone was moved by (her) journey, telling her: “we believe your story and your voice will be a perfect fit for such a meaningful milestone in your fellow nursing students' lives.”
An Alliance High School graduate, Rodgers said that she always imagined herself in a helping profession -- as a teacher, a counselor or a nurse – anything that would allow her to work closely with people and make a positive impact in their lives.
Q & A with Kiara:
1. Why did you choose to attend this Regional Campus for your undergraduate studies?
I chose 91Ƭ Twinsburg because I currently live in Twinsburg. The program’s reputation and convenience made it the perfect fit for me.
2. Why did you choose to pursue a nursing degree? What is your ultimate career goal?
I have a deep passion for meeting people during some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives and helping build them back up. I initially earned a bachelor’s degree in human development and family science from the University of Mount Union with plans to pursue counseling. However, after working in a hospital setting, I discovered a love for nursing and all that it entails. After graduation, I plan to begin my career as an ICU nurse with the long-term goal of managing critical patients.
3. How has your 91Ƭ Geauga/TAC experience informed your current involvement in the nursing field, and how may it impact your future endeavors?
91Ƭ at Twinsburg provided me with clinical experiences across two major hospital systems, which allowed me to explore different areas of nursing and better understand where I see myself building a career. Specific faculty on this campus also fostered a culture of respect and kindness, which has strengthened my confidence and deepened my love of learning, qualities I will carry with me throughout my nursing career.
4. What challenges have you faced along your college journey that you will address in your speech?
My journey has been defined by learning how to balance multiple roles – being a student, a wife and a mother to a young child. Without a traditional support system, some moments felt overwhelming. But those challenges revealed something even more powerful: the importance of community. My speech reflects on the people who stepped in, sacrificed their time, and supported me when I needed it most. This achievement is just as much theirs as it is mine.
5. Which extracurricular organizations and activities at 91Ƭ Geauga/TAC have best prepared you for your future?
My current clinical rotation has been instrumental in developing my nursing skills and confidence. My clinical instructor, an emergency room nurse, has dedicated significant time to preparing me for practice after graduation. Additionally, serving as a student representative has strengthened my leadership skills and taught me how to advocate effectively, skills that will translate directly into patient advocacy.
6. What are three life lessons you have learned during your time here that will continue to serve you/help others in the future?
The three lessons that will stay with me are gratitude, resilience and the power of community. This journey has shown me that success is never achieved alone. I’ve learned to deeply value the sacrifices of those around me and to never take for granted the privilege of caring for others and their families.
7. What is the essential message of your upcoming speech?
Always pause and express gratitude to those who support and impact our lives. No one reaches graduation alone and carrying that gratitude forward will help us become more compassionate and effective caregivers.