西瓜视频

西瓜视频 Celebrates Graduates on December 16 & 17

December 10, 2020 Suzanne Seldes

FORT PIERCE, FL鈥斘鞴鲜悠� (西瓜视频) will hold its fall Commencement ceremonies 鈥渄rive-in鈥�-style on Wednesday, December 16, at the College鈥檚 Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex in Fort Pierce, and virtually via YouTube on Thursday, December 17. The ceremonies will recognize the accomplishments of the College鈥檚 2020 graduates, including some 1,700 students who have earned their Bachelor鈥檚 and Associate degrees during the 2020 summer and fall semesters. 西瓜视频 President, Dr. Timothy Moore, will deliver the keynote address.

鈥淭his past year has imposed some incredible challenges for our students,鈥� said Dr. Timothy Moore, 西瓜视频 President. 鈥淚n the face of adversity, they have pressed forward, worked hard and earned their college degrees. It is our absolute honor to celebrate their collective accomplishment with safe, unique ceremonies, and I offer every graduate of 2020 my highest congratulations.鈥�

These newest 西瓜视频 graduates will soon write their next chapter鈥攅ntering the workforce for the first time, utilizing their new degrees to take on increased responsibilities at their present workplace, or continuing their studies at 西瓜视频 or at university. In celebration of the December 2020 graduating class, we offer a sampling of their inspirational stories:

 鈥淚鈥檓 proud to say that I鈥檓 a forty-two-year-old mother of two and a first-generation college graduate. I鈥檓 hoping that my son who is currently enrolled at 西瓜视频 will be the next.鈥�鈥�Julie Singer, Sebastian, B.A.S. in Organizational Management

Julie Singer is the first one in her family to graduate with a Bachelor鈥檚 Degree. She grew up in a blue-collar lower-income family with parents who were not college educated. She was married young and is a mother to two children. Seeking to set a positive example for her children, Julie made the 鈥渧ery scary鈥� decision to go to college. She wants to be the first in a long line of college-educated loved ones.

 Next Chapter: Julie will be joining the work force.

鈥淎fter finishing a four-year contract in the United States Army and married with a five-month old son, I had absolutely no idea that the transition back into civilian life would be so confusing.鈥�鈥�Samantha Keller, Port Saint Lucie, B.S. in Biology

Samantha Keller had three years of college tuition fully paid for when she completed her military contract and went back to college in Fall 2017. She decided to pursue an Associate in Arts Degree at 西瓜视频 with a goal of completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology within the allotted three years. As mother of a young child and wife to a husband who traveled out of state for work for months at a time, Samantha required a flexible, but full-time schedule. With an intense commitment to her studies, Samantha achieved her goal. Along the way, she completed a work-study opportunity at the Veterans Center on the 西瓜视频 Massey Campus, helping other veterans enroll and use their benefits to the fullest extent. She also participated in experiences that put her classroom learning into practice such as an internship and a research position with the USDA.

Next Chapter:  Samantha plans to begin a career in the forensic science field. She鈥檇 like to work in a lab to analyze DNA samples and other evidence collected to solve crime cases and homicides. 

鈥淗aving the chance to work with kids with disabilities and with such wonderful teachers gave me the motivation to give college a try again. It was a slow go but so many teachers, administration, staff, students, and my family kept me plugging along.鈥�鈥�Aaron Gilbert, Port. St. Lucie, B.S. in Exceptional Student Education with Reading and ESOL Endorsement

Aaron Gilbert鈥檚 story is one of personal perseverance. He graduated high school in 1992 and after his first try at College didn鈥檛 go as planned, entered the workforce. While working as an ESE paraprofessional for the Martin County School District, Aaron realized that helping children was his calling. He decided to pursue his degree while working at the District full-time, and credits 西瓜视频鈥檚 鈥済reat professors鈥� with understanding of the needs of students who are balancing work, family and studies.

Next Chapter: Aaron plans to become a teacher. 鈥淗aving grown up attending schools on the Treasure Coast, I know the importance and impact a positive male role model can have on kid,鈥� he concludes.

鈥淚 was taught unbelievable skills and knowledge that has shaped me into the nurse I am today. The instructors I had were incredible.鈥�鈥�Isabella Hatcher, Palm City, B.S. in Nursing

During the last year of her Associate Degree in Nursing program. Isabella found out that her father was dying. Concerned that she wasn't going to be able to focus on college because her mind and heart were elsewhere, she confided in 西瓜视频 instructors who remained by her side along the way. A month before graduation Isabella鈥檚 father passed away; a year she calls 鈥渢he toughest of my life.鈥� Yet Isabella persevered, graduated and earned her nursing license. She took a position as a Trauma and Neuro ICU R.N. at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, where she has been ever since. She returned to 西瓜视频 to complete her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing and leaves the College with more than credentials鈥攕he leaves with lifelong friends, unbelievable skills and knowledge that has shaped her into the nurse she is today.

Next Chapter: Isabella plans to continue her studies and become a Nurse Practitioner.

鈥淚 began Dual Enrollment in the summer before 10th grade, and am now able to say that I have my Associate Degree at 17 with a 4.0 GPA.鈥�鈥�Shelby Sumner, Okeechobee, Associate in Arts

Dual Enrollment student Shelby Sumner credits supportive staff and faculty at 西瓜视频鈥檚 Dixon Hendry Campus with fostering her academic and personal growth. While completing her high school diploma requirements and her coursework for her Associate in Arts Degree, Shelby also served as an 西瓜视频 peer tutor for Intermediate and College Algebra. Shelby graduates this December with a 4.0 GPA and looks forward to continuing her studies as a transfer student to university.

Next Chapter: After graduation, Shelby will finish other transfer prerequisites at 西瓜视频, and then embark on Bachelor's Degree studies in Animal Science at either the University of Arkansas or University of Florida. She intends to use her degree to work in International Agriculture and Food Policy.

Additional graduate spotlights are posted at www.irsc.edu/news/articles/2020-student-profiles.

About 西瓜视频     

A leader in education and innovation, 西瓜视频 (西瓜视频) transforms lives by offering high quality, affordable and accessible education to the residents of Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties through traditional and online delivery. 西瓜视频 is recipient of the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, nation鈥檚 signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America鈥檚 community colleges. The College serves nearly 30,000 students annually and offers more than 100 programs leading to Bachelor鈥檚 degrees, Associate degrees, technical certificates and applied technology diplomas.