Released: November 25, 2019
Santa Fe Community College announces
Cabinet Secretary Bill McCamley to provide commencement keynote
Student Speaker Leslie Orena Quintana Ayala to address Class of Fall 2019
Commencement is at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at SFCC’s William C. Witter Fitness Education Center
Santa Fe Community College announces New Mexico Cabinet Secretary of Workforce Solutions Bill McCamley will provide the keynote address to the Class of Fall 2019. Commencement begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 in the William C. Witter Fitness Center on campus at 6401 Richards Ave.
“We are so proud of our graduates and look forward to celebrating their achievement,” said SFCC President Becky Rowley, Ph.D. “SFCC works closely with our state and local workforce organizations and we are pleased that many of our graduates will remain in Santa Fe and establish careers in local health care and business fields.”
SFCC 2019 Fall Graduation Fast Facts
This December, 361 SFCC graduates are eligible to receive 417 awards. Forty-five students will receive more than one award. Of those awards, 289 are for certificates.
- Seventy-one percent are from Santa Fe; six percent from Albuquerque, two percent each from Española, Los Alamos, and Santa Cruz. The remaining graduates are primarily from 30 communities around the state (ranging from Abiquiú to Vadito) with the highest concentration from Northern New Mexico.
- The graduates range in age from 17 to 78.
- More than half self-identify as Latino/Hispanic, and eight percent identify themselves as American Indian or Alaska Native.
- Twenty-one graduates identify themselves as military veterans, military spouses or dependents of military veterans.
- Several awards are being given for the first time at the college this year, including AA in Fine Arts-Printmaking and Book Arts, Certificate in Computer Hardware and Software, and Certificate in Patient Care Assistant.
- The highest number of awards are in the health care sector and include Certificate in Nursing Assistant (49), Certificate in Phlebotomy (22) and A.A.S. in Nursing (31). There are 14 students receiving an AA in Business Administration this fall.
- The associate degrees to be awarded include Associate in Arts (66), Associate in Applied Arts (1), Associate in Science (3) and Associate in Applied Science (58).
Secretary McCamley
At the Department of Workforce Solutions, Secretary McCamley’s responsibilities include maintaining an efficient unemployment insurance system, building more effective apprenticeship and career pathway programs, and enforcing New Mexico’s wage and human rights laws. He has been a statewide leader in job creation activities, workforce training and border trade.
Previously he served six years as a New Mexico State Representative and four years as a Doña Ana County Commissioner. His professional experience includes serving as the business outreach director for ROJO Ink, as a development officer for New Mexico State University, and as executive director for the New Mexico Rural Development Council. He also has been a community college instructor and worked and in sales for real estate, solar and apparel companies.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from New Mexico State University and a master’s degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Student Speaker
Student speaker Leslie Orena Quintana Ayala, 20, will receive a Certificate in Early Childhood Development. She was born in Guatemala and moved to Santa Fe when she was 14. She chose to study with the Spanish-speaking student group to pursue her studies. The Santa Fe High graduate works full time as a server at Mampuku Ramen while enrolled in evening classes. She is taking classes in English to earn an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree at New Mexico Highlands University. “I chose Early Childhood Education because my best memory of a teacher in Guatemala was a pre-k teacher who taught me that you can have fun and learn at the same time.”
She said, “I’ve learned at the college that how you treat and teach a child will have an impact that lasts a lifetime. If a child has a traumatic childhood, it can lead to serious problems throughout that person’s life. If you give a child a good experience, that child could someday become the president or a leader in the community. I’m grateful for all I’ve learned.”
Additional Event Details
An online live-stream of the ceremony will be available during and after the event on the college’s YouTube channel.
Mariachi Azteca will perform the recessional music. The public is invited. No tickets are required. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early: seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Designated handicapped parking spaces are available. Guests with accessibility needs should arrive early to ensure proper parking and seating.
Santa Fe Community Television (SFCTV-16 on Comcast) will broadcast the graduation ceremonies at 6 p.m. Tues., Dec. 10; at 11 a.m. Wed., Dec. 11; at 6 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 12 and at 3 p.m. Sat., Dec. 14 on Santa Fe Community Television (SFCTV-16), Comcast Channel 16 through cable. DVD copies of the ceremony will be available at the SFCC Bookstore 30 days after the ceremony at no cost to graduates.
Maps to the college, the Fitness Education Center and parking can be found here:
Photos available upon request.
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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