When Olivia Medina decided to attend Lorain County Community College after graduating from North Ridgeville High School and the Lorain County JVS in 2024, she knew she would be getting a high-quality education at an affordable cost.  

“I chose LCCC because it allowed me to work toward my associate degree while saving money,” Medina said. “I also appreciated the smaller class sizes, which allowed me to build strong connections with my professors and get more personalized support.” 

Medina, 20, is earning an associate of applied business in marketing on May 16. She plans to transfer her credits into LCCC’s University Partnership with Kent State University in the fall and start working toward a bachelor’s in business administration. After that, she wants to earn a master’s degree and land a job as a marketing or social media manager.  

“I’d like a role where I can apply my creativity and strategic thinking to help businesses grow and connect with their target audiences,” she said. “I am especially interested in careers that allow me to travel, as I would enjoy experiencing different places while working in the marketing industry.” 

Medina is feeling incredibly prepared for the next part of her education journey because of her time at LCCC, and not just in the classroom. She said the opportunities she had outside of the classroom were just as impactful, helping her grow personally and professionally. Medina joined Student Senate and held the Event Coordinator position, participated in the Student Leadership Institute and the Undergraduate Student Research Program, and is the President of Phi Theta Kappa Phi Pi Chapter.  

“LCCC allowed me to build lifelong friendships and take part in unique opportunities that shaped my college experience,” she said. “I have grown as a leader and developed skills that will benefit me in the long-term.” 

Medina also accessed LCCC’s Math Studio and the Writing Center, both helping to strengthen her understanding of course material and improve her academic performance.  

“The Writing Center even assisted me with scholarship essays for Phi Theta Kappa,” she said. “As a result, I was awarded a regional PTK scholarship for an essay I wrote.” 

While opportunities seemed endless to Medina, time was not. It was a struggle to balance it all, but learning to do so was yet another opportunity to grow.

“I had to manage my coursework alongside other commitments, and this required strong time management and discipline,” she said. “There were times when deadlines, exams, and personal responsibilities overlapped, making it challenging to stay on track. However, I stayed motivated by focusing on my goal of completing my degree and pursuing my dreams.” 

As Medina moves into her next journey, she feels fully equipped to not just handle the challenges ahead, but to turn them into opportunities. 

“LCCC gave me a strong academic foundation while also helping me develop leadership skills and meaningful connections that will support my future goals,” she said. “It helped me thrive.”