Teri Hobson has balanced her career, motherhood and her education for the last 20 years.
“My greatest challenge and success at UToledo have been being able to juggle all three,” Hobson said. “I love that my children get to see me accomplishing career goals while working full time and having a family. I’m hugely thankful to my husband, who supported my decision to further my career.”
CELEBRATING SUCCESS: UToledo recognizes the Class of 2025 with a series of stories featuring students receiving their degrees at spring commencement.
Hobson began her pre-concentration in resident nursing at Owen’s Community College in 2009. After changing her focus to the licensed practical nursing (LPN) program and taking classes while caring for her then-young children, she graduated in 2014 and began her career working as an LPN. She returned to Owen’s and in May, 2023, earned her Associate of Applied Science in the Registered Nurse Program, which led her to working at University of Toledo Medical Center.
“I enrolled in UToledo’s RN program for my bachelor’s in spring 2024,” she said. “I had the employee tuition waiver, which was a huge opportunity for me.”
Colleen Quinlan, an associate professor of nursing, said Hobson was a lifelong learner.
“Teri is a wonderful role model not only for her professional peers but also for her children,” Quinlan said. “Balancing a career and family while going to school requires discipline, patience and strength, all qualities Teri has displayed so well. Teri’s story is inspiring, and I feel privileged to have been a part of helping her realize her dream.”
Hobson is graduating on Saturday with a bachelor of science in nursing, alongside her daughter, Kayliana Ortiz, who will receive her associate’s degree in general studies. Kay, 18, a senior at Toledo Early College, said she plans to return to UToledo in the fall to pursue her own bachelor of science in nursing, with the ultimate goal of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), as inspired by her mother.
On Saturday, Teri Hobson will receive a bachelor of science in nursing and her daughter, Kayliana Ortiz, a senior at Toledo Early College, will receive her associate’s degree in general studies.
“She has always been my greatest role model — balancing an impressive career in healthcare with being an extraordinary mother,” Ortiz said. “Witnessing her unwavering commitment to both her family and her profession has profoundly shaped my own aspirations. Growing up alongside such a strong and compassionate figure has been one of the most impactful experiences of my life.
“Seeing my mother take pride in caring for others and saving lives has motivated me to follow a similar path. As I work toward achieving my dreams, I am filled with excitement knowing that I will soon have the opportunity to celebrate a major milestone with her. Watching my mother walk across the stage, after years of dedication and perseverance, will be an unforgettable moment — one that symbolizes the beauty of hard work, resilience and shared dreams.”
Hobson said she will continue working at UTMC in the surgical trauma ICU, but hopes to one day return to school to earn a doctor of nursing practice.
“Nursing one of the best careers; one that is not always easy and takes a lot of hard work to obtain, but one that is so rewarding,” Hobson said. “I always offer myself as a resource when talking to nursing students, and people new to nursing specialty. I love to see people succeed. Nursing offers such a wide array of opportunities for specialization, growth, and career advancement.”
