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For Chase Lynd, returning to college wasn’t something he had always planned—but it turned out to be one of the best decisions he’s ever made.

A native of South Point, Ģ����Ƶ, Lynd came to with a passion for business and a desire to gain skills that would shape his future. Now, he’s preparing to graduate with a degree in business and a minor in marketing—and a job offer in hand.

“I’ve always had a passion for business,” Lynd said. “I wanted to grow and learn new skills that would benefit me in the future to shape my life.” That path led him to a position as a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual, where he’ll be helping others plan for their futures as well.

His time at OHIO helped him find something deeper than just a career—it helped him find confidence.

“I feel that it has helped me believe in myself more,” he said. “My self-confidence has increased because I know that I have the credentials to compete in my field. I never thought that I would have gone back to college, but I was always fully supported along my journey.”

Lynd credits Dr. Kim Riley with helping guide him through that journey.

“She was my advisor and helped me stay on the path to pursue this career,” he said. “She was always there when I needed support, and she always knew how to get me going and keep me motivated.”

He’s especially proud of the progress he made in areas where he once struggled—like math.

“When I took college algebra, I never thought that I would be able to achieve an A in any math, and I was able to do so,” he said.

As a non-traditional student balancing full-time work with full-time classes, Lynd’s path wasn’t always easy.

“Going back to school while working 40 hours per week was difficult to navigate at first,” he said. “But I found my footing and was able to take 18 hours each semester to achieve my degree while balancing a job.”

His advice to incoming students is simple: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Everyone is very willing to go above and beyond for one another, so you’ll never feel alone.”

Now, as he gets ready to turn the tassel, Lynd sees graduation as more than a milestone—it’s a launchpad.

“Being an OHIO graduate means gaining the confidence and skills to chase my professional goals,” he said. “It’s where I discovered my path, learned to be a better leader, and built the foundation for the career I’m building today.”