Jefferson Holds 61st Commencement Including 113 First Gen Students

Jefferson Community College (JCC) held its 61st Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 16, 2025, 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. Fourteen students received two degrees/certificates, bringing the total number of degrees and certificates awarded to 359.

Roughly one out of every five graduates — 22% of the Class of 2025 — is military-affiliated. During the ceremony, they, along with faculty and staff veterans, were recognized with red, white, and blue cords in honor of their service to our country. Among the graduates were 113 first-generation college students – those whose parents nor guardians hold a bachelor’s degree. Seven graduates are age 18. Approximately 55 students are members of JCC’s Tau Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges.

Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt), Sonja A. Williams, of the New York Air National Guard’s 174th Attack Wing in Syracuse, delivered the keynote address. She is the first woman to serve in a senior enlisted leadership role in the 174th Attack Wing and serves as 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 roles during 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, leading 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 accomplishments.

Outside of her military service, CMSgt Williams taught Spanish at Carthage High School for 24 years. She is a 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. Williams holds an associate degree from Jefferson and both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from SUNY Potsdam.

The student commencement speaker was Evan M. Lashbrooks, of Croghan. He graduated with an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree in Business Administration. A member of the JCC Business and Leadership Skills Club, Lashbrooks served as both president and social media manager. 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 and video shoots as a member of the Jefferson Cast. He received the Outstanding Business A.A.S. Student Award and was selected 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 and plans to enter the marketing field and pursue graduate studies in the future.    

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

Karyschmary Melendez-Aristud, Theresa, and Malena C. Stevenson, Chaumont, received the 2025 State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence. This award honors students who best demonstrate the integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives: community service, athletics, creative and performing arts, leadership and career achievement. 

Melendez-Aristud earned her associate in science (A.S.) degree in Business Administration. Holding a 3.8 grade point average (GPA), she earned both President’s List and Dean’s List honors and participated in the college’s optional Honors Program, where she was named a featured student of the month. She is a member of JCC’s Tau Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and was actively involved in campus events, volunteering at the college’s Open House and Career Expo, managing social media for the Business and Leadership Skills Club, and serving as a member of the Jefferson Cast. She was also a student worker in the college’s marketing and communications office and contributed to the college’s annual community survey through the Center for Community Studies. Outside of school, Melendez-Aristud is a successful entrepreneur and nail artist serving clients in the Fort Drum area and an active member of her church’s media team. She plans to transfer to Virginia Commonwealth University this fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in marketing.

Stevenson graduated with two A.S. degrees, one in Business Administration and the other in Natural Sciences with a concentration in Allied Health and Biological Sciences. A Jeff-Can Scholar, she earned a tuition-free first year at Jefferson by graduating in the top 15% of her high school class. She holds a 3.88 GPA and has consistently earned President’s List and Dean’s List honors. A two-sport athlete, Stevenson competed on the women’s soccer and golf teams. She was named an Academic All-American in soccer as a freshman and was selected as the Student Life Outstanding Graduating Senior in her sophomore year. A member of Phi Theta Kappa, she also served as secretary of the European Excursion Club and worked as a peer tutor. Stevenson graduates debt-free and plans to transfer to SUNY Oneonta to pursue a bachelor’s degree in dietetics.

Kirsten L. Pratt of Watertown, a humanities and social sciences student who anticipates graduating in December, and Nathaniel L. Steelman of Watertown, who earned his associate in science (A.S.) degree from Jefferson in December 2024, were recognized for being named to the 2025 All-New York Academic Team for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. To be selected, students must hold a minimum 3.25 GPA and demonstrate leadership and community involvement. 

Pratt holds a perfect 4.0 GPA and has earned President’s List honors each semester. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the College’s Honors Program, where she was also featured as a student of the month. A participant in both the TRIO student support program and the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), Pratt also serves as a peer tutor. She plans to pursue a career in psychology.

Steelman graduated with a 3.93 GPA and earned both President’s List and Dean’s List honors. A member of the TRIO program and Phi Theta Kappa, he completed his seven-year enlistment in the U.S. Army at Fort Drum and currently serves in the Army Reserves. Originally from Sea Isle City, NJ, he transferred to SUNY Canton in spring 2025 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security.

Eight graduates completed the College’s Honors Program which provides students with exceptional academic skills the opportunity to receive enriched instruction. Honors Program students select three courses to enhance with independent projects developed in collaboration with faculty. Graduates who completed the Honors Program include: 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. 

Four graduates earned their Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration from SUNY Potsdam, a Jefferson Higher Education Center partner: Rachel A. Hunneyman, Christopher C. Jones, Michelle L. Kellar, and Kaela M. Mellowship. 

The ceremony was livestreamed on the College’s website and will be available for viewing on the College’s YouTube channel. Graduates were invited to a professional photo shoot and reception held immediately following the ceremony.      

Pictured from left: Chief Master Sergeant Sonja A. Williams, Class of 1997, keynote speaker; President Daniel J. Dupee, II; and student speaker Evan M. Lashbrooks, who graduated with an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Business Administration.


Recipients of the 2025 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence were recognized. Pictured from left: Malena C. Stevenson of Chaumont, graduated with two Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees, one in Business Administration and the other in Natural Sciences; President Daniel J. Dupee, II; and Karyschmary Melendez-Aristud of Theresa, who graduated with her Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in Business Administration.


Honorees recognized for being named to the 2025 All-New York Academic Team for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society included current student Kirsten L. Pratt of Watertown, a humanities and social sciences student, and Nathaniel L. Steelman of Watertown, who graduated with his Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in homeland security in December 2024. Pictured from left: Kirsten L. Pratt, President Daniel J. Dupee, II, and Nathaniel L. Steelman.