AWC to hold commencement ceremonies on May 13 and 14
May 7, 2021Yuma, AZ (May 7, 2021) – Students who are graduating with their associate degree this spring are invited to participate in Arizona Western College’s commencement festivities. AWC will be holding two in-person ceremonies this year on May 13 and May 14 to reduce crowd sizes.
On Thursday, May 13, at 7:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium, 7150 E. 24th Street, AWC graduates earning an Associate of Arts, Associate of Business, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Applied Science (degrees A-C), and Nursing students along with graduates of local Arizona State University and University of Arizona partners will be celebrated. (Note: Although NAU-Yuma has chosen not to participate in person, NAU-Yuma graduates will still be recognized and a message from their student speaker will be shared.)
On Friday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium, AWC graduates earning an Associate of Applied Science (degrees D-W) and specific major degrees will be honored.
AWC sent out 1,086 invitations to participate in graduation this year. These students are candidates for an AA, AAS, ABUS, AGS, or AS degree. Some candidates have applied for more than one degree. There are also 111 candidates to receive an occupational certificate who will be recognized in the commencement program.
“In my 31 years in education, these are the two graduations that I will be looking forward to the most. When you think of everything these graduates have had to go through during this pandemic, they have all overcome so much. These students deserve this opportunity to be celebrated and they deserve all the accolades they will receive,” said AWC President Dr. Daniel Corr.
Graduates have been sent packets inviting them to participate along with two guest tickets. For safety reasons, guests are limited to two per graduate and will be seated six-feet apart in pods of two in the stadium seats.
As with past commencements, both nights will be aired LIVE on the AWC Facebook Page (no account needed to view) and on Channel 74, so that extended family and community members can tune in and celebrate as well.
Rehearsals will take place at 8 a.m. each morning at Veterans Memorial Stadium with a Grab-and-Go breakfast hosted by the AWC Alumni Association. The AWC Foundation will also have pre-packaged concession items available for purchase on both nights.
Diane Fonseca and Fatima Covarrubias Rios were selected as this year’s AWC student commencement speakers. More information on Diane and Fatima is included below, along with details on the student speakers from local university partners sharing in the commencement activities.
For information and updates regarding this year’s commencement activities, visit azwestern.edu/commencement.
AWC Student Speaker Bios
Diane Fonseca is one of AWC’s 2021 Student Co-Commencement Speakers. Mrs. Fonseca chose AWC 10 years ago with a determination to pass her citizenship exam by choosing to enroll in a class. Through the leadership of Associate Dean of South Yuma County Susie Zambrano, she decided to further her education by pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse. She was able to accomplish this goal by taking classes one semester at a time, which allowed her to grow intellectually and gain confidence to succeed. As a Nursing graduate, Diane fulfilled her dream of assisting the community by being a vital contributor to the Covid-19 relief efforts. Her original journey that she had planned took a detour that led her to accomplish so much more. She will continue her education goals by pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing at NAU-Yuma.
Fatima Covarrubias Rios is a 2021 Student Co-Commencement Speaker and will be the first in her family to graduate from college. When she decided to enroll at AWC, she was unaware of the significant impact it would have on her life. AWC has profoundly changed her perspective, not only about herself and what she can accomplish, but also about what it means to be part of a community. She attributes her growth to AWC, because she was able to obtain valuable skills and develop as a person through the influences and support of the CAMP office as well as faculty and staff. Fatima is currently the President of Student Government and was elected from 2019 to 2021. She plans to continue her educational journey by pursuing a degree in Engineering at the University of Arizona.
U of A Speaker Bio
Anali Silva Ballesteros was born and raised in Mexico and moved to Yuma 10 years ago. She is the middle child of Jose and Ana Luisa Silva. Anali graduated from Kofa High School and transferred to AWC from which she graduated with an Associate of Science Degree. After graduating from AWC, Anali transferred to the University of Arizona at Yuma to start the dietetics program. In addition to being a full-time nutrition student, Anali also works with the university as a student-worker in the Enrollment and Social Media Department, as well as working closely with Professor Linares-Gaffer to help future and current student succeed in the Nutrition Department. Moreover, she volunteers for Cooperative Extension Yuma, allowing her to get more involved in the Yuma community. Aside from the academic experience, she has volunteered for the Yuma Community Food Bank and created a food drive project benefiting charity. Anali recently started working for AmeriCorps as part of the UACE Yuma County Family Consumer and Health Sciences.
Upon graduating, Anali will complete a Dietetic Technician Exam, and apply for a VA program that offers a master’s degree and internship to be eligible to take the dietitian credential exam. This will allow her to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. After receiving her credentials, she hopes to focus on pediatric nutrition and open her own Nutritional Clinic to provide the Yuma community with one-on-one nutrition education, prevention, and intervention.
ASU Speaker Bio
Jessica Peralta was born and raised in Yuma. Her parents, Jesse and Fidelia Cruz, and her husband Anthony, are her biggest inspiration. Jessica is the youngest of four. Her two sisters Betty and Rubie, and her late brother Felix, are her biggest motivators and her best friends. Without the unconditional and endless support of her family, she would not have been able to achieve her goals. Jessica is a first-generation college student, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. Her desire to study education stems from her many experiences with caring and compassionate educators in the Yuma community, specifically her eighth-grade English teacher, Mrs. Avery. Jessica has accepted a position with the Yuma Union High School District upon her completion of ASU’s teacher education program and state certification. She can’t wait to be a caring and compassionate educator like those who inspired her.
NAU Speaker Bio
Rafael Rodriguez was born in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico, and moved to San Luis, Arizona, at the age of three. He graduated from AWC in 2019 with an Associate of Arts degree in Psychology. After community college, he transferred to NAU-Yuma to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. While attending NAU, Rafael served on the Psychology Club Committee from 2020 to 2021. He was also part of an undergraduate research course during which he examined the neurological and physical effects on individuals during the COVID pandemic. He also participated in an independent study course titled “how social media is driving a generation to appear perfect at all costs.” Within his community, Rafael has participated in an internship with Adult Probation and another at Regional Center for Border Health. He is also employed at AWC, where he helps upcoming students become knowledgeable about higher education. Through his experiences, he noticed a high demand in the field of Human Services. Rafael plans to continue his education to pursue a master’s degree in Psychology. He wants to become an advocate for people in need and to help the community of South Yuma County.
Contact:
Vanessa Rockwell
Graduation Specialist
Arizona Western College
Vanessa.Rockwell@azwestern.edu
(928) 344-7528