NSC Class of ‘25 Honored During Commencement at UW’s Alaska Airlines Arena
North Seattle College honored the class of 2025 during the Seattle Colleges commencement ceremony June 20 at Alaska Airlines Arena on the University of Washington campus. Some 1,141 graduates completed their programs and earned a degree or certificate during a time in which students have faced many challenges, including a pandemic and a new administration making changes to programs that support community college students.
In her remarks to the graduates, NSC President Dr. Rachel Solemsaas said, “This past year at North Seattle College has been full of achievements worth celebrating … we strengthened our commitment to supporting first-generation students and expanded career pathways that open doors for many.”
She asked the graduates to thank those who have supported them in pursuing their education and commended them for their persistence and resilience.
“You showed up day after day, often juggling work, parenting, caregiving and navigating systems not built with you in mind,” Dr. Solemsaas said. “You studied through uncertainty, loss and recovery.”
She also said the graduates have a vital role to play in the future.
“The world needs your voice, your skills and your courage,” Dr. Solemsaas said. “The challenges ahead are real, but so is your power to help solve them. So, speak up. Lean in. Keep learning. Keep leaping.”
In a video-recorded message, NSC graduate Debby Orellana, who earned a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in International Business, told her fellow students that their degree “doesn’t just reflect what we’ve learned, it shows what we’ve overcome.”
She added, “I plan to use my degree to expand my work across Latin America, to help underserved businesses grow and thrive. My goal is to pour into the very kinds of communities I came from, and be proof that with faith, effort and education, anything is possible.”
As one of three Seattle Colleges, NSC shares graduation ceremonies with Seattle Central College and South Seattle College. Together, 3,188 students graduated this year. Of those, 1,550 (49%) are first generation, and just under 2,100 (66%) identify as students of color.
Roughly 36% indicated an intent to transfer to a university and continue their education.
North Seattle College conferred a total of 1,635 awards this year, including:
- 482 academic transfer degrees, enabling graduates to transfer to four-year colleges and universities in Washington and beyond to complete their bachelor’s degrees.
- 224 career training associate of science degrees and certificates, preparing graduates to enter the workforce immediately.
- 747 short-term certificates, allowing graduates to enter/re-enter the workplace with improved skills.
- 131 bachelor's degrees, taking graduates’ careers to the next level and increasing their earning potential.
- 51 basic and transitional degrees, ensuring graduates have the education needed for college and career readiness.