El Paso Community College (EPCC) recently marked a major milestone, celebrating the success of 1,506 students at their Fall 2025 Commencement Ceremony. Held at the Don Haskins Center, part of the University of Texas at El Paso, this event honored graduates who achieved associate's degrees in various fields and were awarded certificates of completion. The figure of graduates proudly included a notable cohort of 274 students from Dual Credit, Early College High School, and P-TECH programs, as reported by EPCC's official announcement.
To accommodate the large number of graduates, EPCC conducted two separate ceremonies. The first celebrated recipients of the Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Science degrees, along with Certificates of Completion. The latter ceremony was dedicated to the Associate of Arts and Associate of Arts in Teaching degrees. Led by EPCC President Dr. William Serrata, playing the dual role of Master of Ceremonies, the institution sought to duly recognize the effort and achievement of each graduate. "Graduation is no small feat, and as we celebrate your hard work and gifts that brought you here: your determination, support of loved ones, inspiring mentors, and a community that believes in the power of education, we say congratulations," Dr. Serrata emphasized in a statement obtained by EPCC News.
Joining the celebration was Jamie Merisotis, President and CEO of the Lumina Foundation, who was selected to address the graduates as the commencement speaker. In remarks prepared for the occasion, Merisotis remarked on EPCC's esteemed status as an educational institution, specifically its noteworthy ranking by Community College Week as number one among approximately 1,200 community colleges in awarding associate degrees to Hispanic students. "‘I'm pleased to know that Community College Week ranks EPCC first among some 1,200 community colleges in awarding associate degrees to Hispanic students, and Washington Monthly Magazine ranks EPCC among the top five community colleges in the entire nation when it comes to serving Hispanic students," Merisotis said during the event, according to EPCC News.
Among those celebrating their graduation was Cedric Haring, a Civil Engineering major and former member of the United States Army. Reflecting on his journey from military service to achieving a degree, Mr. Haring expressed his gratitude for the community and support he found at EPCC. "It's very exciting to the point where I was with military service to being here now, graduation at EPCC," Cedric Haring conveyed to EPCC News. "The best part has been the closeness and communication with all the students and faculty."
EPCC prides itself on being a transformative force in higher education for over 50 years. As the college celebrates this recent graduating class, it adds to a history that has seen the awarding of more than 110,000 degrees, with graduates contributing to the skilled workforce or furthering their education at four-year institutions. The recent commencement reflects not only these personal achievements but also the enduring commitment of EPCC to education and opportunity in the region they serve.
