Angelia Rouser (left) with her mother Brigitte Smith
With a love for technology and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) classes, Angelia Rouser chose to major in mechatronics technology at Cleveland State Community College. She graduated in May with the first Tennessee Valley Early College cohort from Walker Valley High School, earning an associate degree the week before receiving her high school diploma.
“When I heard about this degree I was hooked, since it allowed me to have more hands-on experience and gain a STEM career,” said Ms.
Rouser. “The mechatronics instructors have taught me so much. They have definitely helped me grow as a person.”
Cleveland State Advanced Technologies Department Chair and Associate Professor Dr. Tim Wilson said, “It was a joy watching Angelia on the first day of classes two years ago and enjoying who she is today. Her knowledge, skill, and confidence soared upwards during her time with us. We are proud of Angelia's tenacity to earn her AAS degree in Mechatronics. I look forward to hearing how she progresses in her career.”
“I joined the TVEC program to make my family proud and to grow as an individual,” Ms. Rouser said. “I enjoyed my fellow classmates, who helped me become more confident and more skillful. I also enjoyed how any person I came in contact with made me feel important. The instructors gave amazing advice, from class work to even what to expect in future jobs.”
Ms. Rouser’s mother and uncle are also graduates of Cleveland State. After a trip to Nevada this summer, Ms. Rouser plans to return to Cleveland State in the fall to pursue a second degree in business administration.