MiraCosta College 2025 Commencement
MiraCosta College proudly celebrated its 2025 Commencement on May 23, honoring 1,678 graduation applicants whose personal journeys and academic accomplishments exemplify the College’s mission of transforming lives and communities through education.
The event highlighted the resilience and achievement of this year’s graduates, ranging in age from 16 to 80 years old, with 29 percent identifying as first-generation college students and 19 percent affiliated with the military.
“The Class of 2025 represents the heart of MiraCosta College as they are committed to creating a better future for themselves and their communities. From overcoming personal hardship to achieving academic excellence, these graduates embody the transformative power of education. Their stories inspire us all and reaffirm our mission to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive. We are proud of their accomplishments and excited for their positive impact on the world,”
explains Dr. Sunita “Sunny” Cooke, superintendent/president, MiraCosta College.
Myshell Thomas
Among the many inspiring graduates was student commencement speaker Myshell Thomas. Once facing homelessness and substance abuse, Thomas found hope and direction through MiraCosta’s supportive academic environment. With a perfect 4.0 GPA, she earned the Medal of Academic Merit, led the Gender Sexuality Alliance, and became a powerful advocate for LGBTQIA+ students. She will transfer to Arizona State University to pursue a career in social work. “I severely underestimated my ability,” Myshell shared. “Now, my goal is to give back to society and help others through the same systems that once helped me.”
Also featured in the ceremony was Marvin SaintRose, who delivered his original spoken-word piece, A Dream Within A Dream. Born in Haiti, SaintRose discovered his passion for writing and service through MiraCosta’s Writing Center. He plans to become an architect focused on designing schools and hospitals in underserved communities.
These stories, and the hundreds more that unfolded this year, demonstrate MiraCosta College’s far-reaching impact in helping students overcome adversity, find purpose, and create lasting change.
Marvin SaintRose
The 2024–25 academic year also marked a significant period of growth for MiraCosta College, made possible by the strong support of North County voters. Thanks to the overwhelming passage of Measure MM in 2016, the College celebrated the opening of several new state-of-the-art facilities that will serve students for generations to come.
The new Teresa M. Heyden Hall for Nursing and Allied Health, Learning Commons, Student Services Building, Chemistry & Biotechnology Complex, and Media Arts Building were all completed this year, providing students with cutting-edge learning environments, increased access to essential services, and expanded opportunities for career preparation in high-demand fields.
MiraCosta College extends its deepest gratitude to the community for its continued investment in public higher education. These facilities modernize the campus and ensure that students have the tools and resources needed to succeed in today’s economy.MiraCosta’s influence extends far beyond the classroom. According to the newly released Economic Impact Report, MiraCosta College generated a $648 million economic impact in the region during the 2021–2022 fiscal year, equivalent to hosting the World Series 100 times. The report, conducted by Lightcast, highlights the return on investment MiraCosta provides to California: for every dollar invested, the state gains $7.00 in economic value.
The most significant contributor to this impact is the success of students entering or reentering the workforce, generating $469.1 million in annual added income. These outcomes reflect how community colleges like MiraCosta are engines of upward mobility and regional economic growth.
“Not only does MiraCosta create life-changing opportunities for students, but it also uplifts our entire region. What cannot be easily measured is the impact of students who are committed to giving back to their community. We are proud to be a pathway for social and economic advancement,” said Dr. Cooke.
