Community College of Denver Graduates on the Rise

CCD is pleased to announce its 48th Commencement Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 12th at 7:00 p.m. at the University of Denver (DU) Magness Arena.  

Over 665 students have qualified for graduation this semester alone, a 15 percent increase over last year. Half will participate in the ceremony. Of our graduating students, 17 percent will be transferring to four-year institutions, including Cornell University, Colorado School of Mines, the University of Denver, Colorado State University, University of Hawaii-Hilo and University of Colorado - Denver and Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Barbara Grogan to Speak at Commencement

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CCD Commencement Speaker Barbara Grogan

Denver-area business leader and philanthropist Barbara Grogan, founder of Western Industrial Contractors, Inc. is this year’s commencement speaker. She was also the first female chairman of the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Denver Branch. She served in that role for five years, while also serving on several other corporate boards.

She is the past chair of Volunteers of America Colorado Branch and chaired the University of Colorado President’s Leadership Class. She currently serves on the board of directors of the University of Colorado Foundation and the Denver Foundation.

Grogan is a recipient of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Advocate of the Year Award, the National Association of Women Business Owners Business Leaders of the '90's Award and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Social Responsibility Award.

Angelica Prisciliano is Student Speaker

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Angelica Priscilia with VP Judi Diaz Bonacquisti

This year’s student commencement speaker is R. Angelica Prisciliano, selected because she was the recipient of the Distinguished Student Award. She is the first member of her family to attend college and will be graduating with her Associate of Applied Science degree in paralegal. While at CCD, she has worked tirelessly to advocate for undocumented students and helped to create the DREAMers United student organization, which supports undocumented students. She will be starting at University of Colorado - Denver in the fall with the intention of becoming an immigration lawyer.  

Guest seating is on a first-come, first-served basis; no guest tickets are required. Select DU parking lots will be open beginning at 5:00 p.m. and are free of charge for attendees. Magness Arena will open at 5:30 p.m. For a parking map, please visit DU’s parking information page. CCD will also be offering free Spanish Interpretation at the ceremony on a first-come-first-served basis.

For more information about commencement, contact CCD’s Office of Registration & Records office at 303.556.2420 or CCD.ORR@ccd.edu.

About CCD

With nearly 8,000 students, Community College of Denver is located on the vibrant Auraria Campus in downtown Denver. As a leading point of entry to higher education for the city and county of Denver, CCD offers small-class sizes and flexible schedules, career and academic programs, award-winning professors, extensive advisory and support services, world-class facilities, easy access via RTD light rail, and affordable tuition. CCD is a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution and is one of 13 community colleges in the Colorado Community College System (CCCS). Learn more at CCD.edu.