Cerritos College Celebrates the Class of 2022 with In-Person Ceremonies After a Two-Year Hiatus
Graduates transitioning to prestigious four-year universities, including Claremont McKenna College, Chapman University, the University of La Verne, LMU, USC, UCLA, among others
Cerritos College celebrated its Class of 2022 and the Class of 2020 on May 20 and
21 with the first in-person commencement ceremonies since 2019. Graduates from the
Class of 2020 participated after COVID-19 restrictions shuttered graduation plans
during the onset of the pandemic. The College hosted a Car-Mencement drive-thru ceremony
to honor the Class of 2021 last year.
This year, the College presented approximately 4,800 associate degrees and skills certificates to students who completed their course of study during the 2021-2022 academic year.
Brooklyn Kemp began her studies at Cerritos College in the fall of 2020. She was a part of the
Umoja Success Program and campus clubs Active Minds and Finding Funds for Falcon.
She also served as the president of the Sociology Club. The sociology major will transfer
to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, a Historical Black
College and University. Her educational goal is to obtain the highest degree possible
in her field. “As of now, my career path is open to any opportunities I will have
for my future. I plan to make a difference in my community,” said Brooklyn. “I have
loved the support and additional resources that Cerritos College has provided in order
for me to grow.”
Jonathan Manjarrez, Jr., is a Calvary Chapel Downey High School senior and the Cerritos College Dual Enrollment
Program student. He is receiving his Associate Degree in Film Production at the same
time he graduates from high school this year. Jonathan was a member of the Phi Theta
Kappa Honors Society and on the Dean’s List at Cerritos College. He will be attending
UC Berkeley this fall.
This year’s graduates have been accepted to some of the nation’s top colleges and universities, including Claremont McKenna College, Chapman University, the University of La Verne, Loyola Marymount University, USC, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Cal Poly Pomona, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, among other schools. Additionally, 90 percent of students in the College’s Scholars’ Honors Program were admitted to UCLA this year.
“This year’s commencement ceremony is your reminder for life that you faced and overcame adversity to accomplish your goals,” said Dr. Jose Fierro, Cerritos College President/Superintendent. “You have sharpened your minds, you have developed grit, empathy, self-efficacy, and you have found creative ways to manage and re-frame stress. Graduates, your time is now; go and shape a future in which we put first what is important above the venalities of life. The conditions are here for you to make a new mark and henceforward be known as the Greatest Generation.”
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