Command Chief Sonja Williams '97 to Deliver Keynote at Commencement on May 16, 2025

Jefferson Community College (JCC) will hold its 61st Spring Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the McVean Student Center Gymnasium. Jefferson’s Class of 2025 is comprised of 345 students who are December 2024 graduates and May 2025 and August 2025 candidates for graduation, pending satisfactory completion of coursework. Fourteen students are receiving two degrees/certificates, bringing the total number of degrees and certificates awarded to 359.

Jefferson’s Class of 2025 spans a wide age range — from 18 to 61 years old — with seven graduates aged 18. In comparison, 22% of the Class of 2025 (roughly one in five graduates) are military-affiliated. During the ceremony, they, along with faculty and staff veterans, will be distinguished by wearing red, white, and blue cords in recognition of their service to our country. Eight students will be recognized for participating in JCC’s optional Honors Program and approximately 55 students are members of JCC’s Tau Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges.

The College is honored to have alumna and Command Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt.), Sonja A. Williams, of the New York Air National Guard, 174th Attack Wing, Syracuse, deliver the keynote address at the commencement exercises. CMSgt. Williams, the first woman to serve in a senior enlisted leadership role in the 174th Attack Wing, is the commander’s principal advisor on operational effectiveness and the readiness, training, and welfare of all enlisted Airmen. CMSgt. Williams enlisted in the New York Air National Guard in December 1997 as a personnel specialist and has held a variety of leadership positions over her 27-year career. In 2006, she cross-trained into the Education and Training career field and became Unit Education and Training Manager for the 174th Civil Engineer Squadron, where she led the squadron’s transition from paper-based to digital training records. She deployed in 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom at the Manas Transit Center near Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. In 2012, she was selected as Wing Human Resources Advisor and received national recognition for her achievements in that role. Outside of her military service, CMSgt. Williams taught Spanish at Carthage High School for 24 years. She is the past president of her local chapter of the American Association of University Women and a member of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, the Non-Commissioned Officer Association, and the Air Force Sergeants Association. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She holds an associate degree from Jefferson and a bachelor’s and master’s degree from SUNY Potsdam.

The student commencement speaker is Evan M. Lashbrooks, of Croghan. He is graduating with an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree in Business Administration. A member of the JCC Business and Leadership Skills Club, Lashbrooks held the roles of president and social media manager during his time in the club. He completed an 80-hour internship in the college’s marketing and communications office and served as a student representative on the JCC rebranding workgroup. Lashbrooks also participated in campus photo/video shoots as a member of the Jefferson Cast. He received the Outstanding Business A.A.S. Student Award and was selected early on for the James H. Cox Business Administration Scholarship, earning $1,800 at the time of his admission. Lashbrooks holds a bachelor’s degree in theater from SUNY Potsdam. He plans to enter the marketing field and pursue graduate studies in the future.    

Several students, faculty and staff will be recognized with academic awards and honors during the commencement exercises.

Two candidates for graduation will be recognized for receiving State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence. This award acknowledges students who have best demonstrated the integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives: community service, athletics, creative and performing arts, leadership and career achievement. Karyschmary Melendez-Aristud, Theresa, and Malena C. Stevenson, Chaumont, are recipients of the 2025 Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence. Melendez-Aristud is graduating with her associate in science (A.S.) degree in business administration and Stevenson is graduating with two associate in science (A.S.) degrees – business administration and natural Sciences with a concentration in allied health and biological sciences. 

Two students will be recognized for being named to the 2025 All-New York Academic Team for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. They are Kirsten L. Pratt of Watertown, a humanities and social sciences student who anticipates graduating from JCC in December, and Nathaniel L. Steelman of Watertown, who graduated with his associate in science (A.S.) degree from Jefferson in fall 2024. To be chosen for the All-New York Academic Team, students must hold a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 and have a history of scholarly achievement. In addition to academic achievement, candidates are also evaluated on their leadership and community service involvement. 

The Jefferson Community College Honors Program offers students with exceptional academic skills the opportunity to receive enriched instruction and nine candidates for graduation will be recognized for completing this program. Honors program students select three courses and enhance them as Honors Options by choosing a project for each and working directly with a faculty member to provide a unique and rewarding educational experience. Members of the class of 2025 who will graduate with Honors Program designation are Madison Nicole Bigelow of Fort Drum, Keely Cooney of Watertown, Peyton Enghusen of Watertown, Karyschmary Melendez-Aristud of Theresa, Maddy Livia Moore of Philadelphia, Terin Rosenbarker of Hammond, Kimberly Faye Stone of Fort Drum, and Jasmine Marie Wright of Adams Center. 

Two members of Jefferson’s faculty/staff will be recognized as recipients of the SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. The Chancellor’s Awards recognize extraordinary achievement and encourage the continuation of excellence. Trevor J. Bradish, Watertown, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Renee Patterson, Watertown, Account Clerk, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. 

Four candidates for graduation from SUNY Potsdam, Jefferson Higher Education Center (JHEC) partner, will be participating in the ceremony and receiving their diplomas from SUNY Potsdam. 

The ceremony will be video-streamed on the College’s website beginning at 6:45 p.m. Immediately following the ceremony, graduates will be lead to a professional photo shoot and reception.