This time of year, students across the world celebrate a landmark in their academic journey. Students walk, tassels fly and opportunities open up for many who strive to find their place in the world.
The celebration of graduation is considered important, but on the community college level, not many people see walking the stage as that important if they are transferring. Citrus is more of a stepping stone than a landmark.
This will be my second commencement ceremony, and although many of my peers will follow through with their transfer college of choice, they chose not to walk the stage. They view it not as a large achievement as high school graduation or graduating from a four-year school.
Many times, walking the stage is not as much for themselves as it is for their family. For myself, Commencement is important to my family because both of my parents came from cultures where education wasn’t as easily accessible.
I walk the stage for my father, who couldn’t graduate from college and made a stable living learning how to be a sterile technician — walking the stage means something to him. Dyslexia held him back from keeping up with his classes in primary school, and without the necessary help, he struggled along, only passing high school but never finishing his college career.
Education in America has become increasingly more accessible. According to the Education Data Initiative, there has been a 75% increase in college graduates and a 14% increase in high school graduates in the United States between 1993 and 2023 alone. Yet, 26% of adults 18 and up have no college degree, with 9% never having completed high school.
The reason students hold the position that graduation at Citrus is not worth walking is that they are most likely part of the 75% and 14% of newly college and high school graduates. What they fail to see, though, is those coming in from working two part-time jobs, or the parents who were up all night with their child, or even the ones who have come back for a second chance.
Moreso, they fail to even recognize the privilege in saying no to walking – many people were never given the choice.
The reality is this: Graduation is an achievement that should be celebrated, no matter what level of education is being earned. With programs like Promise and Extended Opportunities, Programs and Services keep college affordable, the road to accessible education is always in reach.
Walking during graduation is appreciating the access to education. Even if students are planning to transfer to another college, many graduates walking the stage will be earning the highest form of education they hope to achieve, earning an associate degree or a certificate.
Walking the stage is an appreciation for the opportunity of accessible education
