Stanislaus State honored the next generation of educators, counselors, social workers, advocates and health leaders Wednesday, May 29, during the third of four ceremonies celebrating the University’s 65th Commencement.
The ceremony, held in the University Amphitheatre, recognized graduates and credential recipients from the College of Education, Kinesiology and Social Work (COEKSW) in front of thousands of cheering family members, friends, supporters and faculty. Others tuned in via livestream in English and Spanish to join the celebration.
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In her remarks, President Britt Rios-Ellis acknowledged the powerful legacy and impact of this graduating class.
“It’s my greatest privilege to honor you today,” Rios-Ellis said. “When we contemplate the Indigenous practices and beliefs that we must live our lives with the intentionality of always thinking seven generations ahead, our graduates today are truly their ancestors’ wildest dreams.”
She highlighted the deep regional and global ties among the class of 2025 and the professions they are entering.
“Nearly two-thirds of our graduates here today identify as Hispanic/Latino — a powerful reflection of California’s past and its future, as well as the communities you will serve,” she said. “You’ve prepared to be teachers, counselors, social workers, health educators, advocates and more. Many of you come from the Central Valley — from Stanislaus to Merced — and your journeys stretch across the globe, from Sierra Leone to El Salvador and from Portugal to Mexico.”
Rios-Ellis praised the graduates as “builders of community and champions for equity.”
“Whether the trauma is physical or mental, you help folks heal and regain both emotional and physical strength,” she said. “You’re uplifting others in classrooms, in clinics, in gymnasiums and in neighborhoods, nurturing potential and transforming lives. You are the hope we need, especially right now — and the leaders of a nation shaped by justice, opportunity and culturally resonant quality care.”
Rios-Ellis shared a heartfelt reminder for graduates to lead with humility and generosity: “As you move forward, please remember to reach back and help others. With every step you take forward, make sure that you have helped someone follow.”
Reaffirming the day’s focus on justice and impact, Ambrosia Johnston of Modesto, earning a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, delivered the student address.
“As we step into life beyond these walls, we do so at a critical time,” Johnston said. “We are called to be voices for justice in a world that desperately needs it. This is our moment to embrace the power we hold to make a difference.”
She encouraged her fellow graduates to recognize the significance of their journey and the influence they now have.
“Today, we are not merely graduates; we are leaders and advocates. Each of us possesses the potential to inspire others, to be the mentors and role models we once looked up to,” she said. “Remember that your voice matters. Your story matters. Your passion matters.”
Johnston concluded with a message of unity and courage: “As we move forward, let us carry the weight of our collective dreams and the dreams of those who may feel voiceless. Congratulations, Class of 2025! Here’s to the journey ahead and the profound impact we will make.”
Building on the day’s focus on service, leadership and lifelong impact, faculty speaker-elect Arya Alami of the Department of Kinesiology and Public Health encouraged graduates to think of themselves not only as professionals, but as educators and role models in every space they enter.
“With that privilege comes the responsibility to share what you’ve learned with those around you,” Alami said. “As you move on to the next chapter in your lives, be ambassadors for learning and growth — and be ready to create the kind of space where others feel safe to fail, to learn and to thrive.”
This year’s Commencement began Tuesday, May 27, with the College of Science ceremony and continued Wednesday morning with the celebration of graduates from the College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Across each day, the University has recognized student achievement, honored family legacies and celebrated the diverse communities that define Stan State.
Stanislaus State’s 65th Commencement concludes Friday, May 30, with the final ceremony honoring graduates from the College of Business Administration. In total, the University is recognizing more than 3,000 degree and credential recipients across four ceremonies, with more than 20,000 guests expected to attend.
