Arizona postsecondary students’ hard work pays off

Arizona’s hard-working postsecondary students saw all those late nights and study sessions pay off as they graduated earlier this month.

Arizona State University

Sun Devils walked across the stage in their caps and gowns the week of May 6 as approximately 15,800 full-immersion and online students graduated.

About 11,000 of those students were undergraduates and more than 2,000 were online undergraduate students.

More than 500 students participating in the Starbucks College Achievement Plan received their degrees. The program allows eligible Starbucks employees to earn an ASU bachelor’s degree online.

University of Arizona

More than 4,500 Wildcats attended the university’s 155th commencement on Friday, May 10 along with approximately 40,000 guests.

Dr. Mae C. Jemison delivered the keynote address. Not only is she the first woman of color to travel into space, she is an engineer, physician, entrepreneur and educator.

“Today we have more material wealth than at any other point in human history,” Jemison said in a press release. “We have more capacity, more capability to include everyone in the bounty of this planet. The most important task of the university is to prepare their graduates to recognize these opportunities and act positively upon them.”

Northern Arizona University

About 5,845 Lumberjacks participated in graduation Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11. 886 of those were graduate students and 4,959 were undergraduate students.

NAU honorary doctorate recipient Rich Boals provided a commencement speech.

“Enjoy this well-earned freedom. With your degree in hand and young life experience behind you, you’re more prepared than you know to begin choosing from everything this world has to offer,” he said. “Choose wisely.”

Maricopa County Community College District

MCCCD students celebrated their achievements the week of May 6. More than 11,500 students were invited to participate, and each campus held its own commencement ceremony so graduates, friends and family could celebrate.

The ceremonies honored students who completed a Maricopa Community College associate degree, certificate, or high school equivalency program for the Fall 2018, Winter 2018, Spring 2019 and Summer 2019 semesters.

Pima Community College

Nearly 4,000 PCC graduates received their diplomas on May 23.

The ceremony was held at the Tucson Convention Center and more than 160 students graduated with honors.