Released: May 5, 2025
Actor, screenwriter, director, and indie film producer will speak at the ceremony
Santa Fe Community College announces DezBaa’, an accomplished actor, screenwriter, director and indie film producer will give the keynote address at the SFCC Commencement at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17 in the William C. Witter Fitness Education Center, 6401 Richards Avenue.
“It’s an honor to welcome DezBaa’ as our keynote speaker—her voice, creativity, and cultural roots reflect the values we cherish at SFCC,” said SFCC President Becky Rowley, Ph.D. “As we close out our 40th anniversary year, we are proud to celebrate the achievements of our graduates, who are already making meaningful contributions to their families, workplaces, and communities.”
The ceremony will honor 546 graduates who completed in fall 2024 or will complete this spring semester or summer term. This represents a 23% increase in the number of graduates over the same period last year. The event will be shown live at https://www.sfcc.edu/graduation-commencement/. The ceremony will also celebrate the conclusion of the college’s 40th anniversary festivities.
At commencement, the college will honor first-generation graduates – the first in their families to complete a college credential – by having them wear special first-generation honor cords. SFCC is proud that 76 percent of this year’s graduates are first-generation students. The college recognizes they are now role models for their families and community members who are looking to them as trailblazers to a new life.
DezBaa’, Keynote Speaker
DezBaa’, 2025 Commencement Keynote Speaker
DezBaa’ is a Diné citizen of Basque, Spanish and Mexican descent. The accomplished actor, screenwriter, director and independent film producer is a member of both the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA).
She began her journey in the film industry as a background actor and soon earned speaking roles. DezBaa’ has appeared in acclaimed productions including “Woman Walks Ahead,” directed by Susanna White and starring Jessica Chastain, and has shared the screen with Julianne Moore, Michael Shannon, Christian Bale and Ciarán Hinds.
She is best known for her role as Helen Atcitty in AMC’s “Dark Winds,” starring opposite Zahn McClarnon for three seasons. DezBaa’ also served as a staff writer for Season 2, deepening her impact on Indigenous storytelling in mainstream media.
Before entering the film industry, she worked for the Navajo Nation’s Division of Natural Resources. She earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from Amherst College and holds two Master of Fine Arts degrees from the Institute of American Indian Arts—one in screenwriting and one in creative nonfiction. She has also taught screenwriting and Indigenous cinema at the college level.
DezBaa’ is born for the Nooda’í Dine’e (Ute clan) and was raised in Española, New Mexico. She was born in Santa Fe, where she currently lives.
Joanna Johnston, 2025 Student Speaker
Joanna Johnston, Student Speaker
Joanna Johnston, 43, is a nontraditional, first-generation college student who returned to the classroom long after leaving high school. She had a rocky start in her earlier college career and feared that a college education would always be out of reach. But her desire to do more for her community and herself led her to SFCC many times over the years, never giving up on her education.
On campus, she has been a Student Ambassador, a student employee, and is now the Student Resource Coordinator in the Student Wellness Office. In fall 2023, she completed a certificate in Creative Writing, a personal goal she had held for two decades.
She is graduating with an A.A. in Human Services and will be continuing her education at the Facundo Valdez School of Social Work at Highlands University this fall. She is deeply passionate about community well-being, art and animal welfare. She hopes to pursue a degree in clinical social work and find more time for volunteering at local animal rescues.
SFCC Graduation Fast Facts
Please note: This data is derived from those students who graduated either in the 2024 Fall semester or applied to graduate after the 2025 Spring semester or summer term. Data is from May 1, 2025.
546 SFCC graduates are eligible to receive 640 awards. 73 students will receive more than one award. Of those awards: 428 are for certificates and 212 are for associate degrees.
Significant to note: Total awards are up 14 percent from 2024.
Distinct number of graduates is up 23 percent from 2024.
- 76 percent (414) are first-generation students.
- 61.2 percent are from Santa Fe; 7.5 percent from Albuquerque; 3.3 percent from Española; 2.9 percent from Rio Rancho; and 2.4 percent from Raton. The remaining NM graduates are from 52 communities around the state (ranging from Abiquiu to Zia Pueblo) with the highest concentration from Northern New Mexico. Three additional states are represented by 8 students: Texas (6), Colorado (1) and Virginia (1).
- Graduates range in age from 16 to 84.
- 3 percent (329) self-identify as Latino/Hispanic. And 4.8 percent (26) identify themselves as American Indian or Alaska Native.
- 8 percent (392) self-identify as female and 28.2 percent (154) male.
- 9 graduates identify themselves as military veterans, military spouses, or dependents of military veterans.
- The total number of certificates to be awarded is 428.
- The total number of associate degrees to be awarded is 212. The associate degrees to be awarded include Associate in Arts (98), Associate in Applied Arts (1), Associate in Science (12) and Associate in Applied Science (101).
- The following are associate degrees being awarded for the first time in either Fall 2024 or Spring 2025: AAS in Accounting (3); AAS in Water Technologies (1).
- The following certificate is being awarded for the first time in either Fall 2024 or Spring 2025: Certificate in Human Resources (3).
- The highest number of associate degrees (from Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025) are: AA in Early Childhood Education (31); AAS Nursing (22); and AA Business Administration (13).
- The highest number of certificates (from Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025) are: Certificate in Early Childhood Development (50); Certificate in Community Health Worker (43); and Certificate in Phlebotomy (30).
For more than 40 years Santa Fe Community College has been 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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