At 27 years of age, West Geauga High School alumnus Connor Diemand-Yauman's resume shows the results of hard work, dedication and an intense drive for…
At 27 years of age, West Geauga High School alumnus Connor Diemand-Yauman’s resume shows the results of hard work, dedication and an intense drive for success.
Diemand-Yauman was recognized as one of Forbes Magazine’s 30 under 30 list for education.
“I am humbled, inspired and honored,” Dieman-Yauman said.
He is manager of business development and strategic partnerships at Coursera, an educational technology company located in Mountain View, Calif., and a 2010 Princeton University graduate, as well as an “American Idol” Cleveland finalist and a past contestant on the TV reality show, “The Amazing Race.”
The up-and-coming Chester Township native’s Silicon Valley company provides universal access to thousands of free online courses from Princeton, Yale and Stanford.
“I am passionate about education reform, so this company and its mission have been a dream come true,” Diemand-Yauman said.
At Coursera, he crafted a partnership with U.S. Department of Education — which President Barack Obama announced — and developed a partnership with the U.S. Veteran’s Administration, announced by the First Lady. He also launched Global Skills Initiative and is a featured blogger for the Huffington Post.
“It can be tempting to think some people have it all figured out,” he said, of one of his shared life lessons. “You can’t open Facebook without being inundated with images of your friends’ perfect lives with their perfect jobs and perfect spouses. But it’s all a farce. Deep down, I think everyone is struggling to stay afloat in their own way, terrified that people will figure out they’re not actually as worthy, smart or good as people think.”
His advice to others who want succeed in life: “Set ambitious goals, work hard and remember that most people are just as scared and clueless as you are.”
Although Diemand-Yauman has been out of West Geauga Schools for several years now, it was easy to jog minds of past teachers who saw his ambitious personality at play.
“I remember Connor as being not only incredibly gifted academically, but also a lot of fun to be around,” said Wes Rogge, West Geauga High School social studies teacher. “He was usually the highlight of my day. I was his varsity tennis coach as well and he was our team captain and the first West G boy to qualify for the district tournament.”
Now also a yoga teacher, Diemand-Yauman received his certification at the Vidya Gurukul ashram in Nasik, India.
In addition, he was valedictorian at West Geauga Schools, president of the student body, a thespian and founder of “Students for Change,” a social advocacy group.
At Princeton, he received the Moses Taylor Honor Prize, the highest distinction conferred on a student at the university.
“Connor was destined for success,” Rogge added. “It was just a matter of him deciding what he wanted to do. He had a drive and maturity that was impressive to say the least. I really enjoyed watching him overachieve.”
On the other side of the coin, Dieman-Yauman took a lot away from many of his teachers over the years.
“When I think back on the most influential people in my formative years, Jodi Rzeszotarski rises to the top of the list,” Diemand-Yauman said. “She celebrated my weirdness and gave me license to be smart. She taught me how (and when) to walk the line of political correctness and good-hearted irreverence. She pushed me to think outside the box and take creative risks when it wasn’t popular, and helped me to learn to improvise, debate and think I wouldn’t be where I am today without her influence.”
Now working at Perry High School, Rzeszotarski quickly remembered her former West Geauga Middle School student.
“As a student, he was wicked smart, funny and entertaining, and driven to succeed,” Rzeszotarski said. “Those qualities were tempered with empathy.
“Connor is blessed with the ability to talk to anyone and make each person feel important,” she added. “He was a fierce competitor, but never took himself too seriously. I remember a lot of laughter, outrageous ideas and kindness.”
Diemand-Yauman is quick to credit his mom, Beth Yauman, dad, Larry Diemand, and sister, Katelyn Diemand-Yauman, for giving him the tools to much of his success.
“So much of me comes from my mom,” He said. “If it weren’t for her unconditional love, guidance and influence, I’d probably be in prison. She’s the strongest, most resilient person I know, and has imbued in me the value of grit, perseverance and loyalty.”
His mom shared one of her favorite memories back to her son’s graduation party where a special invite went out to Otto, the custodian.
“During the party, Otto approached me and said, ‘You know, I have worked at West G for 30 years and have gotten to know many of the students, but this is the first time I was ever invited to a graduation party,'” Beth said. “And he had tears in his eyes. That’s the kind of thing that makes me proud.”
