Roxbury Community College (RCC) celebrated the incredible accomplishments of the Class of 2025 at the 49th Annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 16, 2025. Throughout the ceremony, speakers praised the Class of 2025—more than 204 graduates—for their perseverance and achievements.
Keynote Speaker Dr. Thea James shared her personal journey with the graduates, offering clear and practical wisdom along the way. “Bring emotional intelligence into every room,” said Dr. James. “Be mindful of those who say, ‘You can’t boil the ocean.’ They may be comfortable with the status quo. But you? You’re here to lift people. You are capable of extraordinary things.”
Dr. Jonathan K. Jefferson, President of RCC, reminded the graduating class that they are, in their own right, aspirational leaders. “Class of 2025: You are the future leaders of our neighborhoods, our city, and our Commonwealth, “said Dr. Jefferson. “You give us hope. You remind us that we can rise no matter what challenges we face. You show us that education is still one of the most powerful forces for equity, opportunity, and transformation.
Vice President of Academic Affairs James Whitley, RCC Board of Trustees Chairman Steve Tompkins, and RCC Foundation Board Chair Rev. Ray Hammond also spoke and congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments.
Kiara Rosario, SGA President and Student Speaker, uplifted the audience and encouraged her classmates to keep reaching for their dreams, no matter how tough the path may seem. “To anyone here or watching online who feels like they don’t belong — because of past mistakes, self-doubt, or life’s challenges — please hear this: I’m a single parent living with ADHD. There was a time when my GPA was 0.00. But today, I stand before you as a proud member of Phi Theta Kappa, preparing to transfer to Boston College, with a dream of becoming the best social worker Massachusetts has ever known. If I can rise, so can you.”
The 2025 Commencement Ceremony also included an awards presentation recognizing individuals who have supported the College and the Greater Roxbury Community for years. Napoleon Jones-Henderson received the Lifetime Achievement Award, Senator Liz Miranda received the Community Service Award, and Gregory Saint-Dick’s wife, Shekora M.C. Saint, accepted the Distinguished Alumni Award, awarded post-houmous to Mr. Saint-Dick.
The Class of 2025 was the largest graduating class in the past three years; family, friends, faculty, staff, supporters, and the greater community enjoyed celebrating the graduates throughout the commencement ceremony. The ceremony ended with Dr. Jefferson instructing the graduates to rise, turn their tassels, and exit the field house as the Class of 2025!
Watch the Commencement Ceremony on YouTube
View Photos of Commencement on Facebook
