The end arrives quietly, then all at once. One day it’s the first day of class; the next, you’re measuring your cap size and triple-checking the date of the ceremony. At Dallas College, graduation season has arrived.
For many students, the road to graduation hasn’t been a straight one.
It’s been winding and unpredictable.
It’s been shaped by a pandemic, personal hardships and the determination to keep going.
Now, as the Class of 2025 prepares to walk the stage, Richland students are taking time to reflect on how far they’ve come, and what it took to get here.
“Thanks to Dallas College I was able to further increase my leadership and career skills to prepare me for the future,” said Jesus Gonzalez, an architecture major. “My time here, it’s an experience I will never forget, I gained friendship bonds that I will forever cherish my whole life.”
This year’s graduation feels especially significant for students who began their college journey during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many were forced to navigate online learning, job losses, health scares and rounds of mental burnouts, all while trying to stay academically afloat.
“There were times I didn’t think I’d finish,” said Luis Herrera, a first-generation college student majoring in business. “My dad lost his job during the pandemic, and I was working full-time while taking classes on Zoom. But I kept pushing, even after I left school life for two years and now, I’m done. It doesn’t feel real.”
The Class of 2025 isn’t just defined by struggle. It’s also defined by leadership, and community.
“Going to community college honestly exceeded my expectations,” said Seth Gowen, a real estate major and Richland’s Phi Theta Kappa current president. “The valuable connections I made and the leadership opportunities I was able to pursue because of Dallas College made for a more fulfilling start to my higher education journey than starting at a university would have.”
For others, Richland served as a launchpad for the next chapter, whether that’s transferring to a four-year university or taking a much-needed break.
“I’m transferring to Texas A&M to finish my computer science degree,” said Daniel Okeke, who started at Richland in 2023. “I never thought I’d make it this far, but some professors here pushed me to believe in myself.”
Graduation is also a personal reckoning with growth and the lessons learned outside the classroom. As Mang Cin, a computer science major, put it: “It feels surreal to be closing this chapter at Dallas College. Richland reshaped the way I view obstacles; no matter where I go next, I’ll carry the reminder that life is deeper than just accolades. My message to you all: Don’t chase things for the benefits. Listen to your brain, not your heart, and plan with intention.”
With diplomas in hand and futures wide open, these students leave behind more than transcripts. They leave a legacy of perseverance and hope.
