President Becky Rowley to keynote SFCC commencement ceremonies
Santa Fe Community College will host two commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the William C. Witter Fitness Education Center. SFCC President Becky Rowley, Ph.D., will deliver the keynote address at both ceremonies.
The move to two ceremonies reflects the growing number of graduates—and the many family members and friends who come to celebrate with them. This format allows SFCC to recognize each student more fully while creating a more comfortable experience for guests, with improved flow and reduced congestion around campus.
SFCC President Becky Rowley, Ph.D., said “SFCC is pleased to provide everyone with a more comfortable and meaningful experience with the updated format. We’re proud of our students and excited to recognize this significant accomplishment in their educational journey. We look forward to celebrating them and their achievements alongside their families, friends, and the entire campus community.”
President Rowley, who has led SFCC since 2019, was selected as keynote speaker for her longstanding commitment to student success. She has strengthened partnerships with local businesses and community organizations to better align education with workforce needs, while expanding opportunities such as apprenticeships and internships that connect students to careers after graduation. She has also served in a leadership role with the New Mexico Independent Community Colleges consortium and has been actively involved in statewide initiatives like the Collaborative for Higher Education Shared Services (CHESS), helping advance collaboration across New Mexico’s colleges. On campus, she has championed family-friendly spaces and expanded support for parenting students, among many other initiatives since the start of her tenure. Read her full bio below for more on her background and accomplishments.
Commencement schedule
9 a.m. ceremony
- School of Sciences, Health, Engineering and Math
- School of Fitness Education
1 p.m. ceremony
- School of Business, Professional Studies and Education
- School of Trades, Advanced Technologies and Sustainability
- School of Liberal Arts
- School of Art and Design
Keynote Speaker Becky Rowley, Ph.D., Bio
SFCC President Becky Rowley, Ph.D., has more than two decades of experience in higher education leadership. Since joining SFCC in 2019, she has emphasized student-focused success in a collaborative environment that engages students, faculty and staff. She is committed to creating inclusive learning environments that support diverse learners and promote economic mobility.
Rowley works with the legislature through the New Mexico Independent Community Colleges. She is a founding board member of the Collaborative for Higher Education Services (CHESS), a nonprofit uniting six independently governed New Mexico colleges, focused on streamlining operations to more effectively serve students.
Prior to coming to SFCC, Rowley served as Clovis Community College president for eight years after working in administration and as a faculty member. Rowley holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of New Mexico (1996) and a master’s degree in English from the University of Virginia (1988). She received a bachelor’s degree in English and Latin with a minor in Political Science from Creighton University (1986).
Rowley, an avid runner, has finished 25 marathons, including eight Boston Marathons.
Live video streaming and details for graduates and guests
For detailed information about arrival times and parking for graduates and guests visit https://www.sfcc.edu/graduation-commencement/. Graduates will be led out of both ceremonies by a festive mariachi group.
Family, friends and supporters of the college are welcome to view the live video stream on YouTube of each ceremony. Every year more than 100 supporters remotely join the celebration from across the state, country and world to cheer on the graduates and leave congratulatory messages in the chat.
Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m. ceremony
- School of Sciences, Health, Engineering and Math
- School of Fitness Education
Saturday, May 16, 1 p.m. ceremony
- School of Business, Professional Studies and Education
- School of Trades, Advanced Technologies and Sustainability
- School of Liberal Arts
- School of Art and Design
