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Hispanic/Latino Statewide Post-Secondary Graduation celebrates 2025 graduates

HLCOM commissioners in regalia

On April 25, the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan (HLCOM) hosted their annual Statewide Post-Secondary Graduation Celebration at the Michigan Historical Center in downtown Lansing. Over 40 students from technical programs, community colleges, four-year universities and graduate programs located throughout the state attended. Over 115 students and guests were welcomed with a reception prior to the ceremony with food, music and photos. Students were presented certificates and serape stoles, inspired by Latino culture to wear with pride at their respective graduation ceremonies.

“The graduation serves as an opportunity to recognize Latinos who make up a small percentage of those graduating from post-secondary institutions,” said HLCOM Executive Director Dr. Isabel Montemayor-Vazquez. “These are the future policy makers, educators, scientists and leaders we need for our community to have a voice and to succeed."

During the ceremony the students were inspired by the wise words of keynote speaker, former chair and current commissioner of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, Gloria Lara. Commissioner Lara shared her journey through the Harvard Business School and into the male dominated automotive industry. The celebration also welcomed remarks from two student keynote speakers. The first student speaker was Sofia Rosales, she earned her master of arts in political science at Michigan State University and will continue on to pursue a doctor of philosophy. The second speaker was Alexie Milukhin who earned her master of arts from the University of Michigan in Public Policy and has accepted a position as Director of Policy with Michigan's Population Growth Office.

The commission is always excited to celebrate students’ educational achievements and encourage students to apply their myriad of skills as a part of the Michigan workforce. The commission understands that many of the challenges Latino students face impart a certain level of resilience that can be applied as they move forward in their careers. Commission Vice Chair Florensio Hernandez shared words of encouragement to the students reminding them to never forget where they come from and to stay grounded: "No matter where you go from here, I hope you stay rooted. Rooted in who you are. Rooted in the love and strength that brought you all this far because being Latino isn't just your heritage—it's a blessing and a superpower."

Student Name

Graduation Date

School

Degree or Certification

Alexandra Marie Gavirio

2025

Albion College

Psychological Science (Psychology major and a double minor in Educational Studies and Teaching English as a Second Language)

Alexie Milukhin

Spring 2025

University of Michigan

Master of Public Policy

Andersen Herminia Martinez

Spring 2025

Michigan State University

Master of Rhetoric and Writing, concentration in Pedagogical Approaches to Cultural Rhetorics

Angela Marie Reyna

Spring 2025

University of Phoenix

Bachelor of Business of Science Supply Chain Management

Areli Hernández

Spring 2025

Michigan State University

Biomedical Laboratory Science major, concentration in Medical Laboratory Science

Brianna Lopez

May 2025

Albion College

Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry

Chalondra Jewell

Fall 2025

Albion College

Computer Science/ Earth Science

Cindy Avila

Spring 2025

Albion College

Biochemistry

Colleen Marie Green

Spring 2025

Central Michigan University

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership

Daffne Ruby

Spring 2025

Michigan State University

Bachelor of Science in Advertising Management

Diana Pallares-Juarez

Spring 2025

Albion College

Bachelor of Arts and biology major

Dyani Parada-Cortes

Spring 2025

Aquinas College

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Essence La'Tavia Flores

Spring 2025

Central Michigan University

Master of Arts Speech Language Pathology

Eva Ramirez

Spring 2025

Western Michigan University

Bachelor of Science in Education and Human Development

Faith Angelica Quevedo

Spring 2025

Michigan State University

Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology

Fatima Cruz Ramirez

Spring 2025

Albion college

Kinesiology major, Spanish minor

Gabriela Rivas Amaya

Spring 2025

Albion College

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Honors Program

Jessica Gomez-Sanchez

Spring 2025

Aquinas College

Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

Jessica Rivas

spring 2025

Albion College

Bachelor’s degree in finance

Jessie Iliana Gutierrez-Arredondo

Summer 2025

Oakland University

Master of Organizational Leadership

Katy Cobian

Summer 2025

Albion College

Bachelor's in Political Science, concentration in the Ford Institute for Public Policy and Service

Kevlyn Aguirre

Winter 2025

Wayne State University

Bachelor Of Science in Neuroscience, Chemistry minor

Lydia Isabel Borges De Castilhos

Summer 2025

Grand Valley State University

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Mariana Lee Moreno

May 2025

Alma High School

Art and Business Management

Michelle Hernandez

Spring 2025

Michigan State University

Bachelor of Science in Zoology

Natalie Selena Alvarado

Summer 2025

Grand Rapids Community College

Associate of Music in Music Performance, Certificate in Entrepreneurship

Perla Yobana Reyes

Winter 2025

Siena Heights University

Bachelor's in Criminal Justice, Psychology minor

Russell Andrés Brown Depablos

May 2025

Albion college

Kinesiology

Sofia Lisette Rosales

Spring 2025

Michigan State University

Master of Arts in Political Science

Vanessa Mejia-Sanchez

Spring 2025

Central Michigan university

Early childhood education

Yamaris Freida

August 2025

Albion College

Economics and Management

Graduates dressed in their gowns and regalia on stage together cheering

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