Celebrating Graduates Across Campus

Before tassels were turned and degrees were conferred at the official 2025 Commencement, celebrations were in full swing across the Clark College campus. In the weeks leading up to the big day, departments across campus hosted their own heartfelt ceremonies to honor the achievements of their graduating students.

Diversity Center | International Programs | BASTE | MESA

Diversity Center Graduation Reception

Person places stole on another. — _{Vice President Vanessa Neal places a stole on a graduating student. Graduates were able to pick out a stole to wear at commencement.}

The Diversity Center hosted its annual Graduation Reception on June 12, celebrating the hard work, perseverance, resilience, and achievements of graduating students. Each graduate was honored with a stole or cord representing their unique identity. As part of a touching tradition, students also selected a rose to present to someone who had made a meaningful impact on their journey—a powerful reminder that no one crosses the finish line alone.

The event included remarks from proud 2018 Clark alum, Ana Betancourt Macias, who shared her journey and how the Diversity Center connected her with the resources she needed to overcome obstacles and find her voice. She encouraged graduates to use their experiences to open doors for others and never stop believing that change is possible.

_{Chishayla Kimmons picks out a rose to present to her supporter, Rosalba Pitkin.}

Chishayla Kimmons, who graduated with a degree in business and marketing, was the student keynote speaker for this year’s ceremony. She gave a powerful speech about how everyone in the audience represented both individuality and unity – every graduate, regardless of their differences, showed perseverance, determination, hard work, brilliance, and resilience. She closed with her personal motto: “Never give up while inspiring others.”

See more moments from this event on Flickr. Learn more about Clark’s Diversity Center.

International Programs Graduation Celebration

Group photo front row making hearts with their hands. — _{All the students who came to support the new graduates.}

The Office of International Programs honored 16 graduates from 12 different countries at this year’s celebration. The event also highlighted this year’s award winners, students who completed the Intensive English Language Program, and recognized the impact of the peer mentors – graduates Binh Ngoc from Vietnam and Huijun Tao from China – have had on their fellow international students.

_{Jody Shulnak, Director of International Programs, Huijun Tao, Binh Ngoc, and Maggie Li, International Programs Manager}.

Jody Shulnak, Director of International Programs, and Maggie Li, International Programs Manager, presented each student with a stole that reflected their home country – a small token of their culture that they could carry across the stage as they entered the next phase of their journey.

Congratulations to the following graduates:

Maria Bassily, Lebanon
Connor Doona, England
Ngoc Hoang, Vietnam
Mercy Kariuki, Kenya
Veronicah Muthoni Liebert, Kenya
Shedrack Stanley Mollel, Tanzania
Janista Namphochai, Thailand
Binh Ngo, Vietnam
Chawalit Pisonpoon, Thailand
Ximing Rui, China
Natalia Storojuc, Moldova
Huijun Tao, China
Isabella Wiebe, Canada
Chengyuan Wu, Taiwan
Marina Lvova, Russia
Thi Bao Chau Truong, Vietnam

See more moments from this event on Flickr. Learn more about Clark’s International Programs.

Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education (BASTE) Graduation Celebration

People standing on stage in two lines. — _{Graduates with BASTE faculty and staff front row: Professor Courtney Hoover, Program Manager Teresa Haye, Professor Dr. Donald Ludwig, and Professor Sarah Theberge.}

Clark College proudly honored the second graduating cohort of the BASTE program with an exciting pinning ceremony – a meaningful milestone marking their transition from students to educators. Congratulations to this year’s graduates as they get ready to step into classrooms with purpose and passion to inspire the next generation!

group of students in caps and gowns decorated stoles and caps. — _{Graduates gathered in line before the commencement ceremony on June 18.}

Tylar Rothe
Maddy Benaziz
Kacia Brunelle
Jayden Spies
Miriam Abarca-Ugarte
Breeana Bowman
Robyn Develle
Lorelei Stuben

Learn more about the BASTE program at Clark.

Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Graduation & Scholarship Celebration

Line of people facing camera holding certificates — _{MESA’s newest graduates stand with MESA Director Roman Lara Alvarado, far left, and Dean of WPTE/STEM Theo Koupelis, far right.}

Congratulations to this year’s MESA graduates and scholarship recipients, who were honored at this year’s celebration! Scholarships are made possible through the generous support of the Taco Bell Foundation Community Grant.

Graduates/Transferring Students