Cochise Newsroom

Student Testimonial: Andrea Lemmie 

Andrea Lemmie, 43, a business major and vice president of public relations for the Student Government Association (SGA), is a prime example of a hard-working student at Cochise College.  

Beginning her attendance at Cochise College in August 2024, Lemmie is pursuing an associate degree in business in addition to a small business and entrepreneur certificate. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Lemmie enrolled a few years after moving to Sierra Vista. She learned about the college’s business program while researching business certificates online.  

She said her main motivation for everything she does is her son. “I want to be able to take care of him and not worry about whether I have help or not,” she said.  

 

According to Lemmie, everything she is learning in her classes at Cochise College has been helping her to sharpen her skills. She said, “With the work experience I have and the training I’m getting from my classes . . . I can build a career instead of just having a job.”  

Her favorite classes so far have been business and marketing. Lemmie said even though she does not enjoy public speaking, the presentations she has given in those classes have helped her to step outside her comfort zone and feel well-prepared for any time that public speaking is necessary. She also had positive things to say about the writing center, sharing that they have helped her to improve all areas of her writing.  

The instructors at Cochise College have been especially helpful. “I see them more as mentors than just professors,” said Lemmie. “You can ask your questions without being brushed off—everything gets answered, from beginning to end.”  

Lemmie was also encouraged to become an SGA officer, something that she initially had concerns about. “Before I applied to SGA, . . . I asked if there was an age limit,” she said. “There is not.” She has shared that being part of SGA has opened a variety of scholarship opportunities to her that she had not known about before joining.  

 

She has dedicated herself to her family, education, and career. Lemmie said, “[My son] sees me doing it and he tells me all the time, ‘Mommy, I’m proud of you.’ And that makes all the late nights and lack of sleep worth it.”  

Advice Lemmie would give to new and future Cochise College students is this: “Take advantage of every opportunity presented to you, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.” 
 

About the author: This article was written by Sofia Snyder, a Liberal Arts student majoring in journalism. She currently serves as a Marketing and Communications intern at Cochise College and is set to graduate in December 2025.