Gifts to the TC3 Foundation Open Pathways of Opportunity for Students
Every day at Tompkins Cortland Community College, student lives are transformed through education. Shannon Boyd, Class of 2025, is a powerful example of what happens when determination is met with opportunity, encouragement and financial support.
Shannon grew up moving between Cortland and New York City. She experienced poverty, instability, and struggled academically. She left school when she was 12, entered foster care at 14 and returned to Cortland at 16. Although she later earned her GED, she lacked confidence to believe college was within her reach.
Later, as a young mother raising two daughters, Shannon worked in manufacturing to support her family. As her daughters grew, she was determined to instill in them the confidence she had struggled to find in herself.
“I wanted them to know that they were capable of anything. The sky is the limit!” Shannon explained.
Shannon realized that the most powerful way to teach her daughters to believe in themselves was to lead by example.
“I decided it was time. The idea of attending TC3 gave me hope,” she shared.
Shannon applied to TC3 and heard back quickly. She was able to obtain financial assistance through TC3 which made the experience not just possible, but also affordable. Shannon felt supported every step of the way.
“I always loved math, so I gravitated toward business courses. My very first class was with Professor Janita Moricette, and right away, she made sure everyone knew they were deserving of the education they were about to receive!” In addition to Professor Moricette’s class, she thrived in her class led by Professor Aaron Decker.
“My professors were phenomenal and truly loved their work,” Shannon explained. “We are so fortunate that they chose to work at a community college. I believe it’s because they believe in the potential to pave the way for opportunity for so many students.”
During her time as a student, Shannon not only thrived in the classroom, but also worked in admissions and the finance office. She was voted by her peers to serve as a student Trustee, and went on to be honored with the New York State Outstanding Adult Continuing Education Student Award.
“Shannon made a significant impact while serving as a student Trustee,” shared TC3 President Amy Kremenek. “Her work ethic and determination were evident in her commitment to making TC3 the best it can be. She brought a perspective that helped her fellow Trustees consider the needs of adult learners as well as the perspective of students who find their way to us while overcoming challenging circumstances.”
Today, Shannon credits much of her success at TC3 to the support she received along the way. With the financial burden eased from a scholarship, she was able to meet the demands of balancing school, work, and family. When asked what she would tell alumni, staff, and community members who were thinking of giving back to TC3, she didn’t hesitate.
“A gift to the TC3 Foundation results in an immediate return on your investment,” she exclaimed. “TC3 will have a special place in my heart forever. They brought me from being a person who was scared, unsure, unable to believe I was capable of achievement, to someone who doesn’t let anything or anyone discourage me anymore. I gained all of that from TC3.”
Shannon graduated from TC3 with a degree in accounting in the spring of 2025 and is now building a career in finance in the Cortland community. Her story is a testament to the potential of pursuing a future once thought to be beyond reach. It is also a reminder that a gift to the TC3 Foundation is more than financial support. It is an investment in student and family futures as well as the future of our communities.