Commencement highlights

Top: Santa Monica College President Chui Tsang and graduate Lorena Carpinteyro joined me for a photo at the SMC commencement. Lorena is enrolling at UC Santa Cruz this fall. Below: Kresge College Programs Coordinator Pam Ackerman has worked on campus for 28 years. Thank you, Pam!

I was honored to give the commencement address at Santa Monica College, which has the distinction of sending more graduates to the University of California than any other community college in the state. Among the grads headed our way is Lorena Carpinteyro, who was kind enough to pose for a photo with SMC President Chui Tsang and me.

Santa Monica has held that top spot for 23 years, and I give them credit for making a concerted effort to encourage their students to transfer to the University of California. That path from community college to UC is important—and as costs rise, it's a smart way for students to meet the financial challenges of earning a four-year degree.

As I told SMC's graduates, I have no doubt that earning a college degree is the best investment they can make in their future. That diploma is more than a certificate on the wall; it's a testament to the discipline and persistence it takes to accomplish your goals.

As always, it was an honor to confer degrees on our own campus. At Kresge College, I met Programs Coordinator Pam Ackerman, who has worked on campus for 28 years. While we congratulate our most recent graduates, I want to congratulate Pam on her years of service and thank all our staff for their dedication and hard work. Go, Slugs!

Comments or questions? Write to chancellor@ucsc.edu and put "Commencement" in the subject line