Valley graduates prepare for commencement and new beginnings

This year’s graduating class reflects the many paths that shape the college experience.

By: Mariam Mkrtchian, Social Media Editor

As graduation season approaches, students at Valley are preparing to celebrate not only academic achievements, but also the journeys that led them to commencement. 

Jorge Munoz, a 29-year-old broadcasting and radio major who has attended Valley since 2022 is fulfilling his family’s dreams on graduation day. “I feel excited and thank God I’m graduating,” he said. “I owe my family this graduation because I did not walk on stage in high school. So if I get the job done, it means more to my family than it does to me.”

Valley’s official commencement ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. on June 9 at Monarch Stadium. Eligible graduating students received invitation emails to join the graduation Canvas group. Once the invitation is accepted, students will have access to the graduation RSVP form, which has a deadline on June 5 at 4 p.m. Valley will hold a graduation rehearsal at the Monarch Stadium on June 8 at 3 p.m. to prepare students for participation in the Commencement Ceremony.

Students also have the opportunity to participate in several district-wide affinity graduation celebrations. These events honor the unique identities and experiences of graduating students across the LACCD. 

This year’s celebrations included the Black Graduate Celebration at Los Angeles Southwest College. The Asian Pacifika Desi American Graduation took place at Valley on May 30. Moreover, the Lavender Graduation Celebration is at 4 p.m. on June 5 at Los Angeles Trade Technical-College, and East Los Angeles College will host the Mi Gente Graduate Celebration at 4 p.m. on June 13. Students must RSVP through designated forms for each event.

Graduation preparation goes beyond caps and gowns. Many students are juggling transfer applications, career planning and family responsibilities as they prepare for life after community college. Transfer students, in particular, often spend the spring semester finalizing admissions decisions and preparing for the transition to a four-year university.

For some graduates, commencement represents a second chance at education. Joselyn Flores, a 28-year-old student at Valley, returned to school after dropping out eight years ago and is now graduating with a degree in Early Childhood Education before transferring to CSUN.

“Years later I came to the realization that I can not continue to work for minimum wage jobs and it's time to build a career,” Flores said. “It's such a shock how fast I completed these two years at Valley. This achievement feels unbelievable, I would have never thought I would have come back to finish school after all those years of thinking school was not for me.”

She hopes her experience encourages other students who may feel uncertain about returning to school later in life. “It is never too late to go back to school and figure out your future,” Flores said. “I'm 28 and I will be receiving my associates degree in a major I decided to pursue at 26 years old.”

As graduation nears, campus resources continue to support both graduating and continuing students. Students can purchase their cap and gown through the Monarch bookstore. The cap, gown and tassel cost $52.95 plus tax, and students have the option to purchase a sash, diploma holder cover and gold honor cords if applicable. 

Professor Patrick Hunter, a former Valley student who attended from 1976 to 1979, understands the importance of perseverance and passion in higher education.

“Follow your bliss,” Hunter said. “Don’t buy into this idea that having a lot of possessions or fame makes you happy. What makes you happy is having something to be enthusiastic about. If you have something you are enthusiastic about, then pursue that in college.”

After transferring to CSUN, where he earned his master’s degree, Hunter returned to Valley in 1979 as a part-time instructor before becoming a full-time instructor in 2010.

Looking back on his own academic journey, Hunter emphasizes the importance of purpose and motivation when making life decisions. 

“You never regret what you do for love,” he said. “That’s the best advice I could give.”