Student Success at Roxbury Community College Highlighted Through Commencement Activities

ROXBURY, Mass., May 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The impressive level of student success at Roxbury Community College was highlighted through various commencement-related activities throughout the week of May 9, 2016.  At multiple events, the Class of 2016 received recognition for their impressive academic, civic and personal accomplishments.

On May 9, 2016, Fatima Rose Shields was recognized as one of the 29 Who Shine by the MA Department of Higher Education.  This honor is bestowed upon 29 outstanding graduates from the Commonwealth's public higher education system.  Ms. Shields was honored for her strong academic record and significant civic engagement, including her receipt of the Robert F. Kennedy Scholarship for dedication to civic involvement, leadership, extracurricular activities and academic excellence, and a Boston Young Leaders Award from the Boston GLOW (Girls Leadership Organized Women) Organization for her plan to ignite change in her community.

On Wednesday, May 11, 2016, RCC students were recognized for their achievements at two separate events.  Two RCC students, Mariame Fofana and Emely Melo, were acknowledged for their academic achievement, leadership and fellowship at the 2016 Phi Theta Kappa All-Massachusetts Academic Team Ceremony hosted by the Massachusetts Community Colleges Executive Office (MCCEO) at the State House.   Additionally, over 40 RCC graduates received various awards for their academic achievement, leadership, and involvement in extracurricular activities at RCC's first Student Awards Night later in the evening.

"All of our award recipients are well-deserving of the recognition they've received over the past week," says RCC Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Cecile Regner.  "Students at RCC are held to high academic standards, and their successes should be celebrated at every turn."

The week ended with RCC's capstone academic event, the 41^st Annual Commencement Ceremony, on May 13, 2016, at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center. Commencement Speaker Robert Lewis, Jr. delivered a powerful address to RCC's grads, and co-Valedictorians Sheldon Sadik Hall and Jane Ogola Mbayi shared words of wisdom with their peers.  Over 200 of the 366 members of the Class of 2016 proudly received their degrees and celebrated their accomplishments with their peers, families, and RCC's faculty and staff.

"I couldn't be prouder of our graduates," says RCC President Dr. Valerie Roberson.  "Our students achieved their dream through hard work, perseverance and determination.  I celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2016, and I can't wait to see what the Class of 2017 has in store!"

Founded in 1973, Roxbury Community College (RCC) is a comprehensive, multicultural, urban, student-centered, open-access community college. An Achieving the Dream college, RCC offers associates degree and certificate programs, online courses, corporate and community education programs, and lifelong learning programs. Our 16-acre, six building campus houses classrooms, specialized science and computer laboratories, the Library and Learning Center, the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center and the Media Arts Center.

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SOURCE Roxbury Community College