Fresno County Superintendent Jim Yovino shares wisdom with Fresno City College graduates
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Despite facing the challenges of completing their degrees during the COVID pandemic, the Fresno City College Class of 2022 prevailed.
This year’s class set a record for FCC Commencement with 2,585 students obtaining their associate degree. In 2021, there were 2,443 graduates.
Family and friends celebrated the graduates Friday night (June 3) at Chukchansi Park.
Jim Yovino, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, was this year’s distinguished alumnus and commencement speaker.
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Yovino told the graduates that everything he has today – who he is, what he does and things that he has achieved – is because he attended Fresno City College.
Yovino called FCC a “magical place” that “turns people with passion into people with professions.”
“And that’s where all of you are headed. Somewhere incredible,” said Yovino who attended FCC from 1986 to 1987 to complete undergraduate general education courses.
He then transferred to Fresno State where he earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a teaching credential. He also earned a master’s degree in education from Fresno Pacific University.
“You have much to be proud of. All the graduates here tonight. You did it. You made it through the journey. And mostly, if not completely, during a pandemic when the way we had to teach and learn was reimagined, re-envisioned and reengaged,” Yovino said.
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During his speech, Yovino shared with graduates a few things that made a difference for him like finding his “why.”
After he graduated from high school and went to Fresno State for a couple of years, Yovino said he didn’t have a sense of direction or purpose and eventually dropped out and opened his own business.
And it was in his late 20s when he was asked to help coach high school football which made him realize he loved working with kids, finding his passion. But to be a full-time coach and teacher he needed to go back to school and started taking night classes at Fresno City College.
Even though he was scared at first and wasn’t sure he belonged, thanks to the teachers and staff at FCC who instilled confidence in him, Yovino said he made it, completing the courses that he needed to transfer to Fresno State and get his bachelor’s degree and teaching credential.
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Yovino told graduates that whatever they choose to do after graduation to be the “best at whatever that is” and do it to the best of their ability and be all in, working hard and most importantly being kind.
“Kindness will always prevail,” he said. “And anyone can do those two things. Especially being kind. And the world, as we’ve seen, needs more kind people… and I hope that’s you.”
The third thing he shared with graduates is to find a mentor or mentors, who are willing to help them grow, who will challenge them and tell them when they are wrong.
“Seek out the advice of those you respect. Those who work hard and are kind. They won’t steer you wrong,” he said, adding that it’s important to always remember where they came from, and to remember their roots, the struggles and sacrifices of their families and friends.
“Because you didn’t get to this place alone,” he said, adding that wherever they go to come back to help shape the future of their community.
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Among those graduating were 20-year-old Koleen Madrigal and 21-year-old Aaliyah Jennie Ávalos.
Madrigal graduated with an associate degree in Administration of Justice for transfer while Áalos graduated with two associate degrees in American Sign Language Studies and Liberal Arts –American Sign Language.
“It feels good to finish and then I’m progressing and able to do what I want and what interests me,” said Ávalos, who is also currently attending Fresno State to work on her bachelor’s degree.
Ávalos said it was challenging working on her associate degree during the pandemic but overcame those challenges thanks to her professors and peers “who are interested in the same career path.”
To get to the point of graduation, Madrigal said she also faced a lot of challenges regarding COVID.
“Some of my family members did have COVID as well and passed away. So that was challenging for me to stick with school,” Madrigal said. “But I’m glad that I did stick with school and got my AA as a first generation and to set an example to my younger brother as well.”
Friday’s commencement ceremony also included a moment of silence to remember faculty, staff and students who died during the school year, including dean of counseling Mónica Cuevas.
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Esta historia fue publicada originalmente el 3 de junio de 2022, 11:19 p. m..
