The presence of mortarboards and the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance” declared that another academic year at Cuesta College has come to a close. Cuesta College announced that 2,222 Students graduated with degrees and certifications this year, in the fall, spring, and summer terms, with around 1,500 students honored at the graduation ceremony on Friday at the Flag Plaza on the Cuesta San Luis Obispo campus.

To accommodate seating and space for accompanying families and friends, the graduation ceremony was divided into five sections by field of study. The 15-minute break between ceremonies was used to present live mariachi music.

Students lined up alphabetically and walked to the side of the Flag Plaza, where they were greeted by Superintendent Jill Stearns. “This year’s graduating class represents resilience, determination, and the transformative power of education,” Stearns said. “Each student has taken a unique path to reach this moment, and we are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and the impact they will have in our communities.”

The other speakers were ASCC President Isaac Pumill and Chemistry Professor Kelli Gottlieb. Pummil highlighted the power of controlling one’s own direction in life, while Gottlieb taught a small chemistry and life lesson. “ Many reactions require us to overcome our activation barriers,” Gottlieb said. “Chemists have to overcome the activation barrier all the time…let your friends and families help you overcome your activation barriers.”

While some were nervous with anticipation, the tension among many graduates lessened after walking back down from the stage. “ Now, I am going to In-n-Out,” graduate Luis Nava said. “Then I am going to pet my cat, probably go to bed.”

A notable portion of Graduates were first-generation college students, the first in their families to attend college. For Graduate Daniel Pena, the feeling of graduating was amplified by the love and support of his family: “It feels unreal, I still look at the paper and think, this is mine,” said Pena, “But also, looking at my family, seeing their smiles, it is not just that I graduated, but that I did something that they all hoped, and knew, that could do.”

Support from Cuesta’s academic counseling and Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPs) continues to help students work toward graduation. Other programs, students said, when asked who they were most grateful for in their academic settings, were centers like Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA), which become more than just academic resources; they become part of the story they carry with them across the stage.

For many first-generation and low-income students, MESA offers a sense of belonging alongside tutoring, counseling and academic support, helping students navigate the challenges of college while working toward careers in STEM fields.

For graduating student Rebecca Mays, the program played a major role in helping her reach commencement. She explained that MESA’s multitude of tutors helped motivate her to continue coursework throughout the semester, when she needed help with her work she said she felt, “very welcomed by mentors” which, over time, made her more confident to ask questions.

As students come together to celebrate, so do the staff. According to SLO MESA Director Sara Sanchez, the program is designed to support students beyond academics by helping them build confidence and long-term goals. “Their win is our win”, she said after seeing the graduates encompass the stage further, saying it made her feel very proud. “They are the fruits of our labor.” 

First-generation student and plant science major, Savannah Yerena, also found deep support within her department when asked who helped her reach this point to graduation. Her academic counselors and staff, she said, lifted her up with their “willingness to help” and made her feel validated in her work. 

Feeling confident and excited, Yerena was proud to accept that transferring to Cal Poly was her next step toward her degree, saying that, “without my counselor’s guidance, transferring to Cal Poly didn’t feel as achievable.” 

For many students, graduation represents more than earning a degree – it reflects years of balancing coursework, financial challenges and personal responsibilities. At the same time, many expressed an eagerness to move on from Cuesta. “I have been here too long,” graduate Dylan Shaouat said. He expressed that he felt Cuesta helped him gather the tools he needed to work towards his goal, but that the fun at Cuesta had run its course, and it was time to leave.

Graduate Mauricio Anzo had some parting advice for Cuesta students. “No matter how long it takes, you can get there, and you will be learning so much along the way,” he said. “Get it done; if you don’t give up, you always can.”