Perseverance Prevailed for Graduates at SPC’s 147th Commencement

St. Petersburg College held its 147th commencement with two ceremonies May 12 and May 13 at The BayCare Sound in Clearwater. From the youngest graduate, a 16-year-old beginning life’s journey, to the oldest, a 72-year-old proving it’s never too late to reach new heights, this class showcased the power of perseverance.

SPC graduate Melanie Williams celebrating with her family

Melanie Williams, mom of six, was among the 1,200 graduates of SPC’s Spring 2025 class. She embodied the spirit of perseverance as she maintained her GPA and earned her Associate in Arts degree even after losing her home to Hurricane Helene.

“We lost literally everything in the storm, and my mom lost everything in Milton. I slept in my car and my kids slept at a friend’s. Then we lived in a hotel for two months,” Williams said.

She continued in her classes throughout her search for a new place to live, and she and her family were finally able to get into stable housing in February. She will continue at SPC in the Public Policy and Administration bachelor’s program.

“I passed all my classes with straight A’s,” she beamed after Monday night’s ceremony as her family gathered around to congratulate her.

Sixteen graduates were over the age of 60, each serving as a testament to lifelong learning. For 280 students, it was more than a diploma, it was a first for their families. And for 198 of them, earning a bachelor’s degree marked a generational milestone, opening doors not just for themselves, but for those who will follow in their footsteps.

“We congratulate our students – and their families – who have persevered to reach graduation. You inspire us with your determination, and we celebrate your accomplishments,” said SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams in the ceremonies’ opening statements. “I’m so proud that SPC is positively impacting generations of families.”

Award Winners

SPC graudate Stella Robinson receiving the 2025 Alumni Achievement Award

Jesse Turtle, SPC Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the SPC Foundation, presented this year’s achievement awards. Danielle Kervin received the 2025 Apollo Award, the highest honor an associate degree graduate can achieve at the college. Kervin has represented SPC as head delegate in award-winning Model UN delegations and serves as a Study Abroad Ambassador. She earned her Associate in Arts degree and is pursuing a bachelor’s in paralegal studies at SPC.

Stella Robinson received the 2025 Alumni Achievement Award, the highest honor a bachelor's degree graduate can achieve. Robinson graduated with a bachelor’s in biology and will begin pursuing a Ph.D. this fall in integrated biomedical sciences – cancer biology at the University of Notre Dame. Robinson’s mother and her boyfriend, who were both inspired to return to college along with her, were also among the graduates, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and an Associate in Arts degrees, respectively.

“I feel just overjoyed that we are getting to experience the end of our educational journey together,” said Robinson. She encouraged anyone considering college to take the next step. “Do it. And definitely come to SPC. I’ve never felt so invested in my education in my life. I am the first person in my family to achieve this level of education with my Ph.D. So much of it is because of the mentoring I got when I was applying to programs, and the time and care that was put into each course that I took.”

First graduating classes

Monday’s ceremony included the first graduating class of the St. Petersburg STEM Collegiate High School (SPSCHS), which opened in 2022 at SPC’s Downtown Center. One of SPC’s three collegiate high schools, SPSCHS offers the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and simultaneously earn an associate’s degree.

When Dominick Dos Santos discovered the school, he was working on his GED and living in a homeless shelter in Clearwater. He learned that SPC offers free bus passes for students and decided to enroll.

“I would leave at 5 a.m. to take the bus to school every day,” said Dos Santos. In his time at SPC, he got connected to the RISE program, which helped him and his family find stable housing. He also joined the Student Government Association and got the opportunity to attend an educational trip to Tallahassee.

“I really got plugged in, which was a massive help,” he said. Dos Santos graduated with his high school diploma, an Associate in Science in Computer Information Technology and an Associate in Arts degree. He will be participating in a cultural exchange program through the U.S. Department of State for the next year and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree and a career in educational technology.

This year’s graduates also included the first graduates of SPC’s Promise Scholarship, which covers tuition and fees for eligible students and has supported more than 1,200 students since the program began in 2023.

By the numbers

Spring 2025

SPC awarded 1,342 degrees and certificates this semester, including:

• 509 Associate in Arts degrees
• 311 Associate in Science degrees
• 187 Bachelor of Applied Science degrees
• 192 Bachelor of Science degrees
• 143 certifications

SPC prides itself on offering more than 200 degrees, certificates and transfer programs, as well as many high-demand, high-skill, industry-recognized workforce certifications. Some of the top degrees awarded this term include:

• 160 Associate in Science Nursing
• 70 Bachelor of Applied Science in Management and Organizational Leadership
• 52 Bachelor of Science Nursing
• 49 Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies and Community Leadership
• 45 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
• 40 Cybersecurity Certificate
• 36 Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity
• 28 Associate in Science Veterinary Technology
• 21 Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, K-6 with Infused ESOL and Reading Endorsements
• 19 Bachelor of Applied Science in Health Services Administration
• 19 Bachelor of Applied Science in Technology Development and Management
• 18 Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene

For more graduation news and photos, including the program, visit the SPC Graduation Social Media webpage.