Stanislaus State held its third day of commencement ceremonies on Thursday, May 29, honoring the Class of 2025 graduates from the College of Education, Kinesiology and Social Work.
Graduates from Advanced Studies in Education, the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program, Kinesiology and Public Health Promotion, Liberal Studies, Social Work, and Teacher Education walked the stage to celebrate the culmination of their academic journeys.
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Dr. Arya Alami walking into graduation carrying the Stanislaus Academic Mace
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Stanislaus Faculty walking into graduation
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Faculty walking into graduation
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Provost Ogle speaking to the graduating class
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President Rios welcoming the graduating class and guests to the ceremony
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President Rios sharing student stories during commencement.
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Faculty Speaker, Dr. Arya Alami, giving his speech to the graduating class.
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Dr. Ambrosia Johnston, student speaker, giving her speech to her fellow graduates.
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Some of the many designed grad caps
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Dr. Stuart Wooley, Vice Provost and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, speaking to the graduating class
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Graduates walking up to receive their degrees
Provost Richard Ogle and President Britt Rios-Ellis opened the ceremony with congratulatory remarks, setting a celebratory tone for the morning. They were followed by Faculty Speaker-Elect Dr. Arya Alami and Student Speaker Dr. Ambrosia Johnston, who each offered words of reflection and encouragement to the graduating class.
Associated Students, Inc. President Miranda Gonzalez also addressed the crowd before the ceremony concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Stuart Wooley, Vice Provost and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.
For many graduates, the moment marked not just an academic milestone but the beginning of a new chapter.
Stephany Amezuca, a Liberal Studies graduate with a concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), reflected on the transition ahead.
“I think the start of a new chapter, that feeling you get when you end a chapter, and you have an opportunity to start fresh and to just reflect on your journey and just go back and just see what your values are, and just kind of reset, I like that feeling”
Alma Orozco, who earned her teaching credential, spoke about her long journey toward a career in education.
“What I’m looking most forward to after graduation is my career. It’s been a really long path, but I really strived to get through it. My major and career is education, so I’m just hoping to inspire the next generation,” she said.
Vanessa Garcia, a mathematics major who also earned her teaching credential, shared a favorite campus memory.
“I think it was just the friends I made and the study groups,” Garcia said. “By my third year, I actually got to come back on campus because COVID was kind of done, so just being in the library and hanging out was nice.”
As Stan State’s newest alumni step into their futures, they carry with them not only degrees but the passion and purpose to inspire, educate and lead.
