LCCC Grad is Determined to Keep Her Promise to Her Children

Devastated was how Ann Cabbil felt when she was told in 1997 that her associate degree in secretarial science would not transfer to LCCC. “Devastated but determined,” she admits. “ I set out on the course of attending LCCC, working full time, raising two wonderful children, attending basketball and softball games, and with the support of my husband, I’ve made it this far.”

Cabbil will be graduating with her associates of applied business degree in Business Management this May from LCCC.

“I was devastated that I had to retake all my classes over,” Cabbil said. “I would take a class one quarter and not go back the next quarter so my children encouraged me not to stop.”

Cabbil had previous received her associates in secretarial science from Vogue Career College in 1973 in Cincinnati, Ohio and was employed as an executive assistant in various departments for a couple of Fortune 500 companies in Elyria. But when she began to apply for management positions within the companies, she was passed over and decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Both of her children have received their bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and one has received his master’s degree from Thomas Moore College in Kentucky. “I promised them I would complete the associate’s degree,” Cabbil said.

“Since they were in college they helped me with my homework. I would call them for math problems, critiquing my English papers, and complain that I am too old for this hard work,” Cabbil remembers. “And because they believed in me and continue to encourage me I will finish.”

Now that Cabbil is about to complete that promise, she has decided to complete a second associate of applied business degree in Human Resources Management in May of 2009 and then enroll in the University Partnership program with Kent State in 2010.

“I worked as an executive assistant in Human Resources for one company and I loved it because I helped people with various personnel issues, but most importantly, I just love working with people” Cabbil said.

Currently, Cabbil works in the Employment and Career Services office at LCCC in a program called “C.O.R.E”, which helps young adults get their GED or diploma and get into college. “I work as a youth outreach specialist and working with these young adults has kept me motivated because I see how they struggle to find employment and most have not received their GED,” Cabbil said. “Working on campus has made me realize how important education is to all people. My age group should continue to improve on their educational skills and if nothing else, just keep their minds stimulated by taking classes to enhance their technology skills.”

“I’m still trying to find out what I want to do when I grow up,” she laughs. “But when I retire I hope to have my bachelors degree in Business Management and continue to pursue a master’s degree.”