With caps high and spirits even higher, Norco College honored more than 1,300 graduates during its 2025 commencement ceremony. It was a time to recognize academic excellence and demonstrate personal perseverance rooted in the power of education.

This year, Norco College awarded 2,185 associate degrees and an estimated 389 certificates to 1,305 unduplicated graduates, marking a milestone for the institution and the lives of those it serves. The Class of 2025 included students aged 16 to 74, with 105 dual enrollment students earning both a high school diploma and a college degree.

Among the many student success stories was Danelia Fernandez, a first-generation college student, immigrant, and mother who described her path as one marked by resilience. “There is no doubt that we are the result of our environment, but we also have the power to change our destiny,” Fernandez said in her moving address. “Every night, when my emotions told me to cry, and my ambition told me to study, I cried—and then I studied.”

The college continues to lead the way in access and innovation through programs like Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) and Rising Scholars, a nationally recognized prison education initiative. This year, 81 students graduated through Rising Scholars, and 59 students earned degrees more quickly thanks to 636 hours of CPL credit—college credit awarded for validated skills learned outside the traditional classroom.

Thirty veteran students also crossed the stage, along with four Norco College employees who completed their degrees while working at the institution.

During his address, Riverside Community College District Chancellor Wolde-ab Isaac, Ph.D., reminded the audience of the impact education can have across generations. “Almost 40 percent of our students are the first in their family to go to college,” he said. “I, too, was the first in my family to complete high school. Education lifted me—and it can lift you.”

Norco College President Monica Green, Ed.D., urged graduates to celebrate their achievements while looking ahead with hope and confidence. “Look back at what you have accomplished,” she said. “Then lift your eyes to what comes next. The road ahead is full of promise—and you are more than ready.”

Commencement faculty speaker Sarah Burnett reflected on the power of communication and empathy, encouraging students to remain open to new voices and experiences. “You never know where it might take you—or what love it might bring into your heart,” she said.

The Class of 2025 represented a vibrant cross-section of the community, with 56 percent identifying as Hispanic and 52 percent as female. Students from diverse backgrounds, including those who returned to school after decades, parents juggling multiple responsibilities, and justice-involved learners, demonstrated the heart of the college’s mission: to serve, uplift, and empower.

Trustee Bill Hedrick officially accepted the graduates on behalf of the RCCD Board of Trustees, and the ceremony concluded with a beloved tradition: the turning of the tassels. “You are now official alumni of Norco College,” President Green declared. “Congratulations, Class of 2025!”

As Norco College looks to the future, it continues to build innovative pathways and support systems that help students achieve their goals and contribute to the region’s social and economic vitality.

Watch the Norco College 2025 Commencement Ceremony.