More Than 860 College Students Graduate From DCC

POUGHKEEPSIE — Dutchess Community College held its annual graduation ceremony May 16. Associate degrees and career certificates in 46 programs of study were conferred on 868 graduates, who ranged in age from 18 to 73. The event was held at the Majed J. Nesheiwat Convention Center in Poughkeepsie with over 2,000 in attendance and hundreds more watching via livestream from home.

Associate in Science degrees were awarded to 60 percent of the students; 9 percent received Associate in Arts degrees; 20 percent received Associate in Applied Science degrees; and 11 percent earned certificates. Nearly 49% of our graduates have earned a cumulative average of at least 3.2, and 11 will graduate with a perfect 4.0.

DCC also recognized the seventh cohort of students graduating from the Think Ahead program, a partnership between the College, Dutchess County, Abilities First, Maplebrook School, the Arc Greater Hudson Valley and Taconic Resources. Adults who graduate from Think Ahead spend two years on the DCC campus as college students, learning life and job skills.

Graduation speakers included DCC President Peter Grant Jordan, Ed.D., DCC Board of Trustees Chair Angela Flesland and County Executive Sue Serino. There were two sets of welcome remarks: Professor of Art Margaret Craig ’99 gave a welcome in English, and Diversity Council Co-Chair Steven Posada welcomed guests in Spanish. The commencement address was given by Rob Watson Jr., a Poughkeepsie High School graduate who went on to earn three degrees from Harvard and now serves as executive director of the Harvard EdRedesign Lab. His career in education, public service and global development reflects a deep commitment to equity and community.

The student commencement speaker was Student Government Association President Rahim Sow ‘25. A Business student, Sow is the recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. He founded DCC’s Investment Club, offering students opportunities in finance through guest speakers, simulated investments, and internships. Sow is also a former Congressional App Challenge winner and a certified Army volunteer recruiter.

In his remarks, Dr. Jordan said, “As you stand on the cusp of this major achievement, I’d like to ask: How can you, in whatever role you choose, have a meaningful impact on the world around you?

“To be clear, I am not attempting to put unreasonable expectations on you. You don’t need to become a Nobel Prize winner, Fortune 500 executive, or world leader to be considered a success. To the contrary, for most of us, the most important people – the ones who have made the greatest impact – usually do it on a much smaller scale.

“You see, it’s in these little moments – often unplanned, but not unexpected – that you discover your true potential, and the importance you have in the lives of others.”

Keynote speaker Rob Watson Jr. shared some wisdom with our graduating students. “It takes courage to pursue your why,” he said. “You’ll be tempted to measure your worth in degrees, likes, and dollars. But real courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s choosing to lean into discomfort and trusting that even in the zigzag of life, your purpose will become clear, and the world will make itself known to you.”

Student speaker Rahim Sow spoke about stepping into the future and what he’s learned along the way. “My life is no longer bound to a traditional path,” he said. “Instead, I now follow a beautifully untraditional road – one led by questions, not answers; by passion, not pressure. Because here, in the DCC community, I’ve learned something lasting: that it doesn’t matter how long it takes to climb the mountain. What matters is the climb itself – the journey, the growth, the moments in between.”

Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “You walk across this stage not just with a degree, but with a story of perseverance that no one can ever take from you.”