FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Courtney Davis
Assistant Director of Public Relations
Prince George’s Community College
daviscl@pgcc.edu
Prince George’s Community College to Celebrate Graduates at 62nd Virtual Commencement Ceremony on May 20
LARGO, Md. (May 18, 2021) – Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) prepares to celebrate its spring 2021 graduates with a virtual Commencement ceremony on May 20 at 6 p.m. This year’s graduating cohort includes more than 1,000 students from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds, reflective of College’s commitment to access, equity, and value.
The ceremony will air on the College’s cable channel – Verizon Fios Channel 44 and Comcast Xfinity Channel 75 SD and 995 HD. The event will also stream on the College’s YouTube channel with close captioning for the hearing-impaired.
“The College understands that a virtual Commencement – regardless of how thoughtfully it’s put together – cannot fully replace the traditional experience, where we gather together in a common space to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of our graduates,” said Dr. Falecia Williams, Prince George’s Community College president.
“During the early planning stages when the College needed to make a decision on the format of Commencement, our venue was not available for in-person events due to the pandemic. Despite the circumstances, I am confident that our virtual ceremony will provide an exciting platform for us to show our graduates how proud we are. Perhaps more than anything, this season has taught us to be nimble, and our students continue to inspire us with their courageous example,” she added.
Prince George’s Community College is pleased to welcome Dr. Monica Goldson, chief executive officer for Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), as its spring 2021 Commencement keynote speaker. Dr. Goldson is a seasoned leader in education who served as principal, associate superintendent, deputy superintendent, and chief operating officer prior to her appointment as CEO. As leader of the 20th largest school district in the nation, she continues to be instrumental in guiding PGCPS through the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit Prince George’s County especially hard.
Dr. Goldson holds three degrees from historically Black colleges and universities: bachelor’s in mathematics from Florida A&M University, master’s in elementary and secondary school administration from Bowie State University, and doctorate in educational administration and policy from Howard University.
Additional Commencement speakers include Dr. Falecia Williams, Prince George’s Community College president; Sidney Gibson, Board of Trustees chair; Dr. Clayton Railey, executive vice president and provost of Teaching, Learning, and Student Success; and Rosebell Onuma, president of the Student Governance Association and a spring 2021 graduate.
The graduating cohort includes students from the College’s Early and Middle College Programs, including the Academy of Health Sciences, Pathways in Technology Early College (P-TECH), and Information Technology Early College Program (ITECH). Through a rigorous dual enrollment pathway, these programs provide an opportunity for first-generation and low-income students to earn their high school diploma, specialized certification, and a college degree within four to six years.
On May 20, the nationally award-winning student hosted newscast, Around Prince George’s, will present a special commencement preshow at 5:50 p.m., 10 minutes before the start of Commencement. The featured PGCC Grad Success Stories highlight four graduates who overcame adversity, persevered through a pandemic, and achieved their academic goals.
Follow Prince George’s Community College on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @pgccnews to stay connected.
About Prince George’s Community College
Named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security (2015-2020), Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) provides high-quality education and training for the progressive and career-oriented residents of Prince George’s County. From new high school graduates and career seekers to more seasoned professionals and senior citizens looking to enhance their skillsets, PGCC is comprised of students who represent a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and goals. Serving nearly 35,000 individuals annually, the College is the first choice for higher education for residents of Prince George’s County. Collaborative partnerships, responsive degree and training programs, and a commitment to student success enables PGCC to address diverse education and workforce development demands.
For more information, visit the college website at www.pgcc.edu. Prince George’s Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; (267-284-5000); www.msche.org. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
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