Released: November 30, 2017
Santa Fe Community College announces Mayor Javier Gonzales to keynote the 2017 Fall commencement. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. Sat., Dec. 9 in the William C. Witter Fitness Center on campus at 6401 Richards Ave. Graduation rates have steadily grown at the college, prompting the administration to add a Fall Commencement in December in addition to its traditional Spring Commencement. Last spring the college had 725 graduates and this fall 452 are eligible to graduate. The upcoming graduation is the college’s first fall graduation.
Mayor Gonzales is a past Santa Fe County Commissioner, two-term State Democratic Party Chair, and university regent at New Mexico Highlands University and New Mexico State University, where he is also an alumnus who became the first in his family to graduate from college.
A national advocate for pro-immigrant cities, he has worked to create jobs and grow the workforce, and overseen major investments in our city’s parks, streets and quality of life while launching innovative programs to address public health, climate change, poverty and inclusivity.
Mayor Gonzales said, “I am proud to lead the strongest New Mexico economy for women-owned business, film and startup employment.”
Student Government Association President Nohemy Bojorquez-Flores will be the student speaker at the commencement. A Capital High School graduate, she has been involved in her community for many years. Prior to serving as SGA president, she was a Student Ambassador, president of Empower, a peer mentor to other students in First-Year Advising and participated in the Federal TRiO program on campus. She is also active as a community organizer and as a nursing assistant at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center. Bojorquez-Flores is working on her prerequisites to enter the nursing program at the college. “My dream is to run my own medical services unit for our low-income and homeless communities in Santa Fe,” she said.
This December 452 SFCC graduates are eligible to receive 502 awards. Of those awards, 311 are for certificates. “Certificates can often be earned in less than a year and get graduates swiftly into the work place or can be the first step in the pursuit of an associate’s degree,” said Interim President Cecilia Cervantes, Ph.D.
Certificates prepare students for entry-level work and/or supplement their skills for job advancement opportunities. Students can often earn a certificate in one year or less. Degree programs prepare students for a career and/or transfer to a bachelor’s degree program. The associate degrees to be awarded include:
Associate in Arts (72), Associate in Applied Arts (2), Associate in Science (114) and Associate in Applied Science (3).
Several awards will be given for the first time at the college including: A.A.S. in Radiologic Technology, A.S. in General Engineering and Engineering Technology (first time as a combined program), Certificate in American Sign Language and Certificate in Business Administration.
The highest number of awards are in the health care sector and include: Certificate in Nursing Assistant (51), Certificate in Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (49) and A.A.S. in Nursing (46).
The December 2017 graduation class is diverse — 52.3 percent identify themselves as Hispanic/Latino and 6.6 percent identify as either American Indian or Alaska Native. The age range of the class is 16 to 84. Seventeen graduates are military veterans.
The public is invited. No tickets are required; people are encouraged to arrive early because seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Designated handicapped parking spaces are available for those with an official handicapped license plate and tag. If you have guests with disability needs, please arrive early to ensure proper parking and seating.
Santa Fe Community Television (SFCTV-16 on Comcast) will broadcast the graduation ceremonies at 5:30 p.m. Tues., Dec. 12; at 11 a.m. Wed., Dec. 13 and at 6 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 14 on Santa Fe Community Television (SFCTV16), 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.
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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