More than 900 graduates walked across the stage at Chattanooga State Community College’s spring commencement ceremony on May 9, culminating educational journeys that spanned continents, generations, and life circumstances.
The 924 graduates, ranging in age from 17 to 62, represented one of the most diverse classes in the college’s history, with students hailing from nine countries beyond the United States, including Belarus, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Guatemala, Iraq, Mexico, the Philippines, and India.
Among the standout stories was that of mother-daughter duo Nicole Parris and Nalani Sims, who earned their associate degrees together. Through ChattState’s Dual Enrollment program, 17-year-old Nalani simultaneously completed her high school diploma and associate degree, while her mother Nicole launched an educational path toward a career in psychology.
“You’re here for a reason. Figure out what that reason is and go toward it,” Nicole Parris reflected on her academic journey.
Another remarkable graduate, Ajaya Kennedy, honored both loss and love as she earned her associate degree in Theater Performance. Raised by her great-grandmother Theora after losing her mother in a car crash at age two, Kennedy found healing through the arts, attending musical theater performances throughout her childhood with her great-grandmother.
“Ajaya was raised by her incredibly strong great-grandmother, Theora Kennedy, or Mamaw, as Ajaya calls her,” said College President Dr. Rebecca Ashford, who highlighted Kennedy’s story during the ceremony. “Theora ensured that Ajaya was raised in a home that values education.”
Kennedy, a Central High School graduate from Knoxville, will transfer to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga this fall to continue her theater studies.
The graduating class reflected the college’s mission of accessible education, with 31% representing first-generation college graduates and 29% being armed forces veterans. The average age of graduates was 26, with the youngest cohort of 10 students being just 17 years old.
Post-graduation plans were split nearly evenly, with 42% of graduates planning to transfer to four-year universities while 58% intend to enter the workforce directly.
During her commencement address, Dr. Ashford encouraged graduates to embrace gratitude as they move forward.
“When you are grateful–when you focus on what you have rather than what you lack–you bring more joy and abundance to your life,” she told the assembled graduates, friends and family members. “I encourage you to be grateful even for the challenges that you face, and there is no doubt that you faced challenges as you pursued your education.”
The ceremony, attended by hundreds of family members, faculty, and community supporters, celebrated not just academic achievement but the perseverance required to balance education with work, family responsibilities, and personal obstacles.
The college conferred both associate degrees and technical diplomas during the ceremony, recognizing achievements across multiple academic and vocational programs that serve the greater Chattanooga region’s workforce and educational needs.