Family Away From Home: How Olive-Harvey Transfer Director Tyanna McCann Connects and Inspires Students Beyond Graduation

Olive-Harvey College Transfer Director Tyanna McCann is a champion of student success. She makes it her mission to keep in touch with students after they graduate from City Colleges. That allows her to facilitate a networking opportunity or an opportunity for a home-cooked meal for her former students. Her commitment to fostering connections recently made a significant impact on two former students now living in Texas: Kennedy-King College alumna Tina Watson, who is now the Senior Analyst of People & Culture at Toyota North America, and Olive-Harvey College alumnus Kanmi Oludare, an Enterprise Solutions Associate Analyst at PepsiCo.

Tyanna and Tina met years ago on a college tour. The two stayed in touch and Tyanna helped Tina transfer to Fisk University where she thrived academically and in student life, eventually launching her career at Toyota in Plano, Texas. Over time, Tina stayed connected with Tyanna, even returning to City Colleges as a keynote speaker and mentor to current students.

Kanmi also benefited from Tyanna’s guidance. With Tyanna’s help, Kanmi earned the prestigious PepsiCo scholarship and transferred to Western Illinois University. Tyanna helped him develop a transfer plan and connect with peers, including her friend’s daughter at Western. After moving to Texas for internships with PepsiCo, Kanmi mentioned his relocation to Tyanna, who immediately thought of Tina.

Though Tina and Kanmi had crossed paths at City Colleges they had never truly connected—until two weeks ago, when Tyanna introduced them. They discovered they worked right across the street from each other. With neither having family in Texas, the connection has been a lifeline of support and camaraderie. For Tyanna, fostering these connections is personal.

“I think of them as family away from family,” Tyanna shared. “It was important to connect them. My eyes and ears lit up when I realized how much they had in common. I want them to be supported, to thrive, and not to feel homesick.”

Tina and Kanmi’s recent lunch meeting at Toyota was the beginning of a growing friendship. Tina shared her experiences navigating life in Texas, while Kanmi expressed gratitude for Tyanna’s role in helping him secure the PepsiCo scholarship and opportunities. They’ve already planned their next meet-up, with Kanmi hosting.

Tina’s grateful for the connections City Colleges has and continues to provide her.

“It feels amazing to stay connected with my City Colleges family,” she says.  “Tyanna is always reaching out to include me in workshops. I have stayed in contact with quite a few classmates from CCC and I am proud to call them friends.”

Kanmi is thankful to be able to connect with someone with a similar background despite being miles away from home.

“Tyanna always has looked out,” Kanmi said. “Even after I graduated from a four-year. She still wanted to know the details about my life.”

“I want to impact lives and be intentional with my connections,” Tyanna said.

Tina echoed this sentiment.

“Tyanna and others like her truly go above and beyond to make sure we succeed.”