Harper College will be closed Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day.
Read what graduation means to the Class of 2025, who they'd like to thank, and what are their next steps. Graduates: Click here to submit your own custom profile.
I never got to graduate from high school due to Covid, but after losing my father to a medical illness, being in healthcare and learning about the field, has been more than a passion since stepping into it. Neither one of my parents got to graduate from college so I do this for them. Miranda
I will be transferring to NIU to pursue a Bachelor's of Psychology. Ideally, I would like to break into the social psychology career field. JP
Graduation means everything to me. When I graduated from Harper in 2021 with my degree in Fashion Merchandising, it was a virtual ceremony due to COVID. To be able to finally walk the stage with a degree I had no idea I’d be pursuing is an even better feeling. Jazmin
[Graduation] means no matter what happens in life, you have to keep going to reach the finish line. I’ve started, stopped, rejoined, stopped and continued school so many times but now I am proud to say I’ve completed this part of my journey… FINALLY. Brittany
[I would like to thank] Professor Tomasian, Advisor Tim and Anita, Professor Raza, Professor McKinley. Carlos
Graduation is just the beginning of a new chapter in life. It is a stepping stone towards the future. Jewel
Graduation means breaking generational curses. It represents growth, healing, and stepping into the woman I was always meant to be. It’s more than just a diploma—it’s a symbol of perseverance, faith, and a fresh start for everything that comes next. Tasha
The next step in my career is to gain hands-on experience in my field, build a strong professional network, and keep learning through real-world challenges. I'm also open to further education down the line if it helps me grow and reach my goals. Francis
I would like to thank my parents and sisters for always believing in me and supporting me in this journey. Also, my loving husband for pushing me to go back to school and follow my dreams. Es un logro Que hice para mi pero dedicado para mi familia 💖 Andrea
I thank God, first and foremost and I thank my family, my biggest supporters. I couldn’t have done all of this without them. Judyann
I’ll be continuing my education at Penn State as a pre-med student, with the goal of becoming a physician. I’m excited to take the next step toward a career in medicine! Bilyana
I would like to thank my Mom who kept me uplifted. My bestie Nana, my tech support sister Kiki, and everyone who has helped me along the way! I love you all so much! Brenda
I’m thrilled to be soon starting my new role as a Patient Care Technician, an exciting step toward my dream of becoming a Registered Nurse! Next up: continuing my medical education and staying focused on the journey ahead. Chaquierra
Thank you professor Nicole Mancha for always being there for me! And thank you to Dr. Monica Edwards for giving me a new curiosity for sociology. I would also like to thank Angelica Rackow for helping me succeed while I studied abroad in Austria. Janessa
No more clinicals, no more lab hours, no more studying! & a new beginning !!! Nagely
Graduation means a step closer to my goal of getting a bachelor's degree. Jose
I would like to thank my wife for supporting me all the way throughout all my years. Dominick
I want to thank my parents and my family from the bottom of my heart. Their unwavering support, love, and belief in me kept me going, even during the toughest moments. Gabby
It’s the moment I’ve been working toward for years — late nights, long shifts, and a lot of heart. I’m proud to finally say, I’m a nurse. This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to make a difference. Juan
This graduation means so much to me and my family. All the hard work and determination are paying off. Elizabeth
I would like to thank my family, my instructors, my friends/co students and most of all my husband. I couldn’t have done it without all of the support I received. Elaina
Nursing is my second career, one I have worked tirelessly to achieve, and this milestone symbolizes both my perseverance and the start of a fulfilling journey in healthcare. Iryna
I overcame a lot of challenges throughout my life and graduation was forever going to be a goal of mine...This a huge victory earned for me and I am very glad I am graduating at such a great school. Alexis
My next step is to continue growing as a web developer. I plan to either transfer to a university to earn my bachelor's degree or start gaining real-world experience through internships and freelance projects. Haniya
Graduation means reaching a goal I’ve worked hard for. It’s a mix of pride, relief, and excitement for what’s next. It marks the end of one chapter and the start of a new one. Jonathan
My next step is to finish my bachelor’s degree in accounting so I can become a professional accountant and work toward CPA certification. Adriana
I want to express my gratitude to my wonderful husband and parents for always having faith in me. Encouraging me to pursue my goal and being there for me no matter what. Hazel
I would like to thank my family, my friends, and my basketball coaches and soccer coaches. Gwendale
Obtaining this Drone Certificate is a significant milestone for me. It represents not only the culmination of hard work and dedication but also the beginning of exciting new opportunities in the field of drone technology. Steve
I would like to thank my family—without their love, support, and encouragement, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Esmeralda
I'd like to thank my family, my friends, and my amazing children for always being my reason why. Corvin
I’m going to be a Northern Illinois University student, I’ll be joining the huskies team for the next two years and Get my major in psychology. Michell
I am going to Grand Canyon University to get my bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education! Madison
First of all God thanks to him to provided me with patience and knowledge to pass my classes. I thank my parents for the great support and advice, I love you mom and dad. God Bless! Freddie
I would like to thank all of Harper’s nursing staff for being phenomenal and showing such compassion in teaching. Jayla
Graduation is just the beginning! As I take this next step, I'm excited to continue my journey from CNA to RN. Hard work, passion, and dedication will guide me toward my dream. Zethu
I will continue my education in Orlando, Florida at UCF. I plan on getting my bachelor’s in Finance. Camila
My next step is to continue my education and to complete a bachelor's. My career goal is to be a forensic technician to be the voices of those who cannot speak for themselves and bring closure to families who lost the loved one Cynthia
The adventure continues! Next stop: molecular biology, where I’ll be diving into the microscopic mysteries of life and unlocking secrets that could shape the future of medicine. Anant
Thank you to all Professors who have helped and supported me through these past two years! Zach
My next chapter begins at Roosevelt University, where I'll be studying law enforcement and criminal justice, sharpening the skills I need to stand up for justice and give back to the community I care about. Ryan
I would like to thank my family, friends, students, teachers, and mentors who have supported me through thick and thin and those who saw my dedication, perseverance, and potential to succeed. Sophia
Graduation means that I am ready to be entrepreneur. I already to take on the world, be successful and take care of my family. Chantal
I want to thank the one person who inspired me the most: my dad in heaven. He was my strength, my motivation and the reason I pushed through the hardest days. This achievement is for him. Maggie
I will love to thank my parents and Harper College for letting me take my time while I was at Harper. Emilia
[My next step is to] continue in the healthcare to advance my education. Kayla
Being the first in my family to graduate college means so much to me, not only for my personal goals but for my family as a whole! Jeo
To me, graduation is more than just receiving a diploma—it’s a symbol of growth, resilience, and perseverance. It’s being able to show the world, and yourself, that you followed through on your goals and made it to the finish line. Jocelyn
Graduation is a message to myself telling me I made it, that I did the best I could do and I succeeded. All those endless nights staying up and constantly doing assignments, was all worth it because I got to where I wanted to be. Nikki
As a proud Mexican, I carry with me the strength, resilience, and values passed down through generations—hard work, faith, and family. These roots have shaped who I am and have fueled my determination to succeed. Teleissa
I would like to thank my parents for always being supportive. And my brother for always pushing me to be better than yesterday. Gabby
Graduation means more to me than just words or a title. It proves that anything is possible, that it's never too late to pursue your dreams. If you truly want something, believe in it, refuse to give up, and put in hard work, you will achieve it. Magdalena
My next step in my career is to find a graphic design job and get a lot of experience so I can work for different companies in the future! I am also planning to pursue my bachelors degree here at Harper College. Ivan
Graduation means the next step towards my higher education journey, where I can get closer to accomplishing my dreams! Emily
Graduation to me is showing others in my life that no matter where you come from or what your life is like you can do great things. Amy
To me, graduation means recognizing that growth doesn’t follow a set timeline. It’s not about being the fastest—it’s about showing up, pushing forward, and being proud of how far you've come, no matter when you started. It’s a milestone that honors persistence, not just perfect timing. Ortal
[Graduation means] that anything is possible at any age with hard work and dedication. That I am a strong, brilliant and resilient black woman. That life has its hiccups but I came, I conquered and accomplished this task and I know I am able to keep going. Kristy
I would love to thank my family for always believing in me and supporting me through every step of my journey. Their encouragement and love have been my foundation. Giselle
As a first-generation Mexican American and a mother, this achievement is more than a personal milestone; it’s a symbol of my family's sacrifices and the legacy I want to build for my daughter. Monica
I would like to thank my daughter and my partner for their patience and support as I maintained multiple roles in college—as a mother, a full-time student, a hospitality worker and a friend. They witnessed my sacrifices and were the first to celebrate my victories. Daisy
Earning my Associate’s Degree in Web Design and Development represents the long hours spent learning code, designing user-friendly experiences, and pushing through challenges I never thought I could overcome. It’s proof that I can start something difficult and see it through to the end. Caleb
[Graduation means] a growth and achievement. Mirza
Graduation means that I can now take the next step toward achieving my dream career and giving me so many opportunities for the future. Jerlene
Graduation to me means a start of a new journey and lots of opportunities. Fernanda
Graduation in my case is the culmination of a journey and the attainment of my goal. Malgorzata
Graduation, to me, marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. With each passing day, we grow into who we’re truly meant to be, and when I graduate, I feel like I’ll be taking a big step forward on that journey. Ethan
Finally graduating holds immense significance for me. It represents my personal growth, the sacrifices I’ve made, and the courageous step I took to enhance my life and education. It’s been a long and arduous journey, but I’m hopeful that this milestone will open doors for me that were previously inaccessible. Brian
I’d like to thank everyone I’ve met throughout my community college experience. Each person I’ve crossed paths with has shared a piece of their light with me; whether through their stories, support, time, or friendship. They’ve inspired me daily: to do better, to stay grounded, to know when to be serious and when to let loose and enjoy life. Angel
Graduation to me means taking another step forward in your life. It's the end of an era, the last chapter of this section of your life. It's sad to close the book, and scary to leap toward the unknown. However, that's what makes life interesting and fascinating. Many doors of opportunity await you after graduation. Which one you open and walk through will be up to you. Drew
[Graduation means] the success that I have been working towards for many years now and the next chapter in my future. James
I would like to thank my family their constant support and for being my patients throughout my time in school—your willingness to help meant so much to me. Stephanie
Graduation at Harper College means more than just earning a degree. It represents growth, perseverance, and the achievement of a goal I’ve worked hard for. Rachel
Graduating means more than me Christine