Alumni Highlight: Cierra Bolender

Cierra Bolender, member of the Wilmington College Class of 2024.

Cierra Bolender was a student at Wilmington College from 2020 until December of 2023 and graduated in the Spring of 2024. She majored in education and English. Cierra originally wanted to attend a college further from her hometown, Greenfield, Ohio, than Wilmington College. However, she was given the opportunity to interview for a scholarship and attend a visit. Cierra instantly knew this would become her home and told her family that they did not need to look any further, she wanted to attend Wilmington College. She found that the instant connections between the staff and students was so personable. She is still very close with some of the people she met the first time she was on campus. Cierra ensured to find her purpose at Wilmington College. She was a student athlete, playing volleyball for two years, involved with SAAC, working as a Student Ambassador and in the Diversity and Inclusion office, and also being a part of SLEB. Cierra’s love for Wilmington College inspired her to indulge in the college experience while she attended and she created friendships that will last a lifetime.

Cierra is now at Greenfield Middle School teaching 8th grade English Language Arts. Wilmington College prepared Cierra with the skills to receive job placement right out of college. She applauds the hands-on learning that the professors and staff equip the students with. Outside of the classroom, Cierra continues teaching on the volleyball court as the varsity coach at McClain High School, her alma mater.

Cierra Bolender coaching the varsity volleyball team for McClain High School during a timeout.

Although adjusting to college life is not easy for anyone, Cierra is most proud of stepping out of her comfort zone in college. Cierra grew so much as a person during her time on campus, and she felt at home because of the amazing connections she was surrounded with. Her favorite part of being a student was getting to be an ambassador and share her love for the college with many families. Cierra is just one of the many success stories Wilmington College produces, and she says that “[y]ou will not get an experience like this in many other schools.”