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Hispanic/Latino Statewide Post-Secondary Graduation celebrates 2025 graduates
May 08, 2025
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 |
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