Cheers and whoops of joy will mark the commencement ceremonies for Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges in late May, as students celebrate their determination and perseverance on their path to earning a college diploma.
The Cuyamaca College commencement is scheduled for May 29 at 5:30 p.m. in front of the college’s Communication Arts Building on campus, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in Rancho San Diego. The Grossmont College commencement will be held May 30 at 9:30 a.m. at the Viejas Arena at San Diego State University. The ceremonies will also be livestreamed at Cuyamaca College Commencement y Grossmont College Commencement.
A total of 2,157 students from both colleges are set to receive 5,337 degrees and certificates, with many students receiving multiple awards.
“I’m proud of all of our graduates for putting in the hard work to reach this milestone,” said Lynn Ceresino Neault, chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. “They received an excellent education at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges, and their lives will be forever transformed by their experiences.”
Cuyamaca College commencement and student speaker
Cuyamaca College will be awarding 1,077 degrees and certificates to 585 graduates ranging from 17 to 78 years old. The graduating class includes 234 honor students with grade point averages of 3.5 or higher.
The student speaker will be Jessica Lourdes Bahena, a Rancho San Diego resident who is earning associate degrees in Ethnic Studies, History, Humanities and Fine Arts, and Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Bahena, 32, who grew up with her family close to campus, first attended Cuyamaca in 2017, but it wasn’t until 2021 that she fully committed herself to her college education. The road has been challenging for the single mother of two, but she credits the professionals on campus for lifting her up when she was down and propelling her toward her degrees.
She will be transferring to San Diego State University, where she plans to major in history and Chicano Studies. She aspires to earn a master’s degree and one day return to Cuyamaca College to teach history.
Grossmont College commencement and student speaker
Grossmont College will be awarding 4,260 degrees and certificates to 1,572 graduates ranging in age from 18 to 77. The graduating class includes 557 honor students with grade point averages of 3.5 or higher. The ceremony is being held at Viejas Arena for the second year in a row to accommodate the large number of graduates and family members.
The student speaker will be Zachary Mass, originally from the Bay Area who will be earning an associate degree in communication. Mass said he’s enjoyed attending Grossmont College, with supportive professors and counselors, involvement in the Radio Club, and a 3.5 grade point average.
Mass, who grew up in the Bay Area town of San Ramon, said he wanted to come to San Diego to be with friends who attend San Diego State University. Grossmont College popped up on his website search, and he liked the idea of attending a community college known as “Harvard on the hill.”
Mass has been active in the Radio Club, and has been announcing at Grossmont College sports events. He will be transferring to San Diego State University to earn a bachelor’s degree in communication, and hopes to have a career in sports broadcasting.
He advised anyone who is considering attending Grossmont College to get involved in some of the many activities the college offers.
“Just be as social as you can,” he said. “If you’re cooperative and be yourself, it will work out fine.”
Top photo credit: Pixabay.com
