“ She really goes out of her way to make sure that everyone is taken care of and always has a smile on her face .”
“ Taking care of people - it ’ s just something amazing .”
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20 • The Beacon June 6 , 2024
COTC impacts mother and daughter ’ s future goals
For some , Central Ohio Technical College is the beginning of their professional journey . For others , it ’ s a legacy they carry throughout their lives . For mother and daughter Billi Gross and Matayah Berry , it ’ s both .
The story started when Gross began her educational journey at COTC . She always knew she wanted to go to college , and becoming a young mother wasn ’ t going to be a deterrent .
“ I was 19 when I had Matayah , so I was nervous about going to college ,” she said . “ I knew I wanted to go ; I had plans on going to college .”
Gross was there for the opening of the Coshocton campus , finishing her LPN
“ She really goes out of her way to make sure that everyone is taken care of and always has a smile on her face .”
Matayah Berry
program at the extended campus .
The then-new Coshocton campus made her college experience even easier to navigate as a young mother .
“ At the time , she was a baby , so it was very convenient for me ,” Gross said .
Gross also received her associate degree in nursing from COTC . She ’ s currently pursuing her master ’ s degree in nursing at a private nursing school , set to complete in 2025 , at which point she ’ ll be a certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner .
Berry grew up seeing Gross in the medical field , but she didn ’ t think it was for her . “ With my mom always working in healthcare , I ’ ve always been around it . I swore up and down I would never do it ,” she said . “ And then as soon as I got my feet into it , I knew I wouldn ’ t want it any other way . Taking care of people — it ’ s just something amazing .”
Gross has worn many hats throughout her career , but her true passion lies in healthcare — specifically , mental healthcare . She currently works at Genesis Healthcare System in Zanesville in both the general and psychiatric ER and the behavioral health unit , and she goes on assignments as a travel nurse .
“ I ’ ve always been drawn to mental health . I feel that ’ s the one area that doesn ’ t have a voice , so I wanted to help ,” she said . “ I ’ m also drawn to crisis and emergency care , and those two always fit .”
Berry originally had plans to become a radiologist . She was nearly finished with radiology school when she realized her true passion was nursing .
“ During clinicals they kept telling me I was doing too much for the
Submitted
For some , Central Ohio Technical College is the beginning of their professional journey . For others , it ’ s a legacy they carry throughout their lives . For mother and daughter Billi Gross and Matayah Berry , it ’ s both .
“ Taking care of people - it ’ s just something amazing .”
Matayah Berry patients . And I was like , ‘ If that ’ s the case , I ’ m just going to go take care of the patients ,’” Berry said .
Berry is currently pursuing her associate degree in nursing to become a registered nurse .
For Gross and Berry , COTC has meant community and support . Both cited Jackie Farmer , the Coshocton campus student success coach , as one of the most impactful and helpful people in the COTC community . Farmer was Gross ’ mentor in high school and is now Berry ’ s academic adviser .
“ She really goes out of her way to make sure that everyone is taken care of and always has a smile on her face ,” Berry said .
One of COTC ’ s core missions is to positively impact the lives of the communities it serves including the lives of its students ’ families for generations to come . Gross and Berry are a clear example of that mission in action .
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