Pierce College class of 2024 graduates at Shepard Stadium with hugs and cheers (2024)

On Thursday morning, June 6, the Pierce College class of 2024, wearing accomplished smiles and colorful leis, walked the commencement stage at the college’s John Shepard Stadium in Woodland Hills. The graduates were working parents, military veterans, first-generation immigrants, young achievers and future transfer students who came together to celebrate their academic milestone.

“As someone who was once in your shoes, I know firsthand the challenges and triumphs that come with pursuing higher education,” Pierce interim President Aracely Aguiar said. “Like many of you, I was the first in my family to go to college, and I started right here in the L.A. Community College District.”

Donning black gowns, red stoles and caps decorated with glitter and paint, the graduates entered the stadium to the tune of “Pomp and Circ*mstance,” performed live by the Pierce College band, as proud families waved at the graduates and snapped photos.

The two-year college’s 76th commencement began with the Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem, interpreted in sign language by graduating students in Pierce’s ASL interpretation program. A representative of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians congratulated the graduates and led an acknowledgement of the Indigenous people of California who lived on the land where Pierce now sits.

President Aguiar presented a posthumous associate of arts degree to Pierce student Shandani Jackson, set to graduate this spring who died on May 4 at age 41. The posthumous degree was presented to Jackson’s daughter and mother.

Jacob Amanya, Pierce’s student commencement speaker, expressed his gratitude for the mentors, family, professors, friends and resources that propelled him to earn his associate degree in psychology.

A Marine Corps veteran, Amanya immigrated to the U.S. five years ago from Uganda. He recalled the uneasiness he felt enrolling at Pierce due to his accent and unfamiliarity with the U.S. college system. He said his nerves went away once he found a support system at Pierce.

“Who knew that a little boy from a remote village somewhere deep in the east of Africa could one day stand before such a huge and exceptional crowd to give a graduation speech,” Amanya told the appreciative crowd.

Amanya is transferring to UCLA in the fall to pursue his bachelor’s degree.

Nichelle Henderson, president of the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees, acknowledged the difficulties some graduates overcame on their path to commencement, including housing insecurity and deaths of family members due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“What you all have in common is that you saw the light on the horizon and continued,” Henderson said. “Your challenges are not your story. Your story is in your triumph. Your story is inspiring.”

Recent CSUN graduate Megan Kalayjian was at the commencement to celebrate her brother Krikor, who graduated with an associate degree in business, and will be transferring to her alma mater. “It’s such a great accomplishment,” Kalayjian said. “I feel like some people don’t take into account that, just because it’s community college, it’s worth celebrating. You need to enjoy this moment for yourself.”

And Pierce student Randy Fuentes, the first in his family to graduate college, said it meant “so much to accomplish this. I achieved my dreams and my parents’ dreams, as well.”