Crafton Promise Grads Honored at Special Ceremony - Crafton Hills College

Publish Date: July 25, 2022

Friends and family of more than 100 Promise Graduates of Crafton Hills College were honored at a special ceremony on Wednesday, May 13.

Held in the Crafton Center, the ceremony honored graduating Promise students by awarding them with a certificate of completion and a Promise Grad sash embossed in program colors – green and white.

“As a community college alumnus myself, I know what it feels like as a student to make it to this point,” said Dr. Ivan Peña, dean of student equity and success at Crafton. “The education you have received here at Crafton has prepared you for the next steps.”

Both Crafton Hills College and its sister site, San Bernardino Valley College, offered the Promise Program on their respective campuses for new students who began their education in 2019 and 2020. The program provided students with two years of zero tuition, free textbooks, assistance with college expenses and a laptop for coursework. They are also paired up with student advisers to help them achieve their educational goals: earning a certificate or an associate degree and/or transferring to a four-year university.

Dr. Kevin Horan, president of the Yucaipa-based college, told attendees the program was partially created to combat low graduation numbers in the Inland Empire.

“Congrats on this accomplishment in light of the last two years,” he continued, “you navigated through that and persevered, and we are so proud of you.”

In addition to their certificates and sashes, each student also received a cap and gown to wear during Crafton’s campus-wide commencement ceremony on May 25. And as each student in attendance was introduced, an inspirational quotation of their choice was read out loud, as were thank you’s to those who supported their Roadrunner journey from start to finish. Of the 100 Promise students graduating, 11 are transferring to a four-year university with a 4.0 GPA.

“We are so proud that you are part of our team,” said Dr. Delmy Montenegro Spencer, Crafton’s vice president of student services, before the presentation of students. “Now that you are going to be transitioning to the next step, we hope you’ll continue being part of our team by being a member of our Crafton alumni.”