Released: April 25, 2024
Assistant Secretary for the Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education
at the U.S. Department of Education began her higher education journey at SFCC
Santa Fe Community College announces Amy Loyd, Ed.L.D., the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education at the U.S. Department of Education will give the keynote address at the SFCC Commencement at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 11 in the William C. Witter Fitness Education Center. The ceremony will honor graduates who completed last summer, in fall 2023, or will complete this spring semester or summer term. The event will be simultaneously shown live at https://www.sfcc.edu/graduation/. The ceremony also celebrates the College’s 40th anniversary.
SFCC President Becky Rowley, Ph.D., said “SFCC is honored that Dr. Amy Loyd will provide the Commencement keynote address. It’s a full circle moment since Dr. Loyd started her higher education journey at SFCC. Last fall she toured our college and met with many parenting students. She was impressed with our work and emphasized the important role of community colleges in helping students develop a college identity while being responsive to both student and industry needs.”
At commencement, the college will honor first-generation college graduates – the first in their families to complete a college credential – by having them wear special first-generation honor cords. “SFCC is proud that 73 percent of its graduates are first-generation college students,” added President Rowley. “The college recognizes they are now role models for their families and community members who are looking to them as trailblazers.”
Amy Loyd, Ed.L.D., Keynote Speaker
Amy Loyd, Ed.L.D., is the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education at the U.S. Department of Education. In this role, she oversees national programs related to career and technical education, community colleges, adult education and literacy, and correctional education.
Prior to joining the Biden-Harris Administration, Dr. Loyd was a Vice President at Jobs for the Future (JFF), where she designed and led programs across the United States that improve education and workforce outcomes. Her work at JFF focused on state and regional policies, practices, and cross-sector partnerships that engaged K-12 education, community colleges, adult education, workforce development, economic development, and employers to build systems of college and career pathways, leveraging career and technical education. She also oversaw JFF’s work in workforce development with a lens on economic advancement, state and federal policy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She previously was the Director of Education at Cook Inlet Tribal Council, leading a network of schools providing culturally responsive education, training, and wraparound services to the Alaska Native and Native American communities.
Dr. Loyd attended Santa Fe Community College and Northern New Mexico Community College, and holds a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s College and a doctorate in education leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she was an adjunct lecturer on building career pathways to increase opportunity and equity.
Aylin Villalobos, Student Speaker
Aylin Villalobos, 24, is a first-generation college student who moved with her parents to the U.S. from Mexico when she was four. She loves all sports, but particularly combat sports where she is an accomplished karate practitioner, kickboxer, jiu-jitsu purple belt and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. She earned her Massage Therapy Certificate and A.A.S. degree in Massage Therapy. “My massage therapy skills have helped me in my work as a coach for a girls volleyball team as well as for MMA competitions,” she said. Villalobos, who commutes from Albuquerque, is grateful for SFCC Foundation scholarships, as well as employment at SFCC. She began as a student worker and now works as the Operations Office Coordinator in Facilities and Operations.
Currently, Villalobos is pursuing an A.A. degree in business. Her interest in business was sparked when she began working with her parents at their food truck. She’s also helped with marketing for the Jackson Wink MMA Academy. She plans to transfer to the University of New Mexico Public Administration program.
SFCC Graduation Fast Facts
Please note: This data is derived from those students who graduated either in the 2023 Fall semester or applied to graduate after the 2024 Spring semester or summer term. Data is from April 19, 2024.
445 SFCC graduates are eligible to receive 560 awards. 77 students will receive more than one award. Of those awards: 388 are for certificates and 172 are for associate degrees.
- 64 percent are from Santa Fe; 7.2 percent from Albuquerque; 2.3 percent from Rio Rancho; 2.2 percent from Española; and 2 percent from Raton. The remaining graduates are from 51 communities around the state (ranging from Alcalde to Zia Pueblo) with the highest concentration from Northern New Mexico. Six additional states are represented by 10 students: Colorado (1), Georgia (1), Ohio (1), Texas (5) and Wyoming (1).
- Graduates range in age from 17 to 82.
- More than half 55 percent (244) self-identify as Latino/Hispanic. And 6.8 percent (30) identify themselves as American Indian or Alaska Native.
- 28 graduates identify themselves as military veterans, military spouses, or dependents of military veterans.
- The total number of certificates to be awarded is 388.
- The total number of associate degrees to be awarded is 172. The associate degrees to be awarded include Associate in Arts (68), Associate in Applied Arts (4), Associate in Science (5) and Associate in Applied Science (95).
- The following are associate degrees being awarded for the first time in either Fall 2023 or Spring 2024: AAA in Arts and Design – Fine Woodworking (3); AAS in Allied Health – Phlebotomy (1); AAS in Film: Post Production (1); AS in Pre-Forestry (1).
- The following are certificates being awarded for the first time in either Fall 2023 or Spring 2024: Certificate in Community Dental Health Coordinator (1); Certificate in Jewelry/Metal Artisan (1) and Certificate in Patisserie (6).
- The highest number of associate degrees (from Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024) are: AA in Accounting (26); AA Human Services (9); and AAS Nursing (11).
The highest number of certificates (from Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024) are: Certificate in Community Health Worker (33); Certificate in Early Childhood Development (22), and Certificate in Medical Assisting (24).
Santa Fe Community College celebrates its 40th Anniversary as the pathway to success for individuals and the community. SFCC provides affordable, high-quality programs that serve the academic, cultural, and economic needs of the community. The college welcomes over 10,000 students per year in credit, noncredit, workforce training, personal enrichment, and adult programs.
A “Best for Vets” and a “Military Friendly” school.
Visit sfcc.edu or call 505-428-1000.
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