Orlando, FL – On Sunday, May 4, more than 2,100 Valencia College students will receive their degrees and certificates at the college’s spring commencement ceremonies at the University of Central Florida’s Addition Financial Arena.
Valencia College will hold two ceremonies: one at noon and another at 4 p.m.
This year’s commencement address will be given by Alfredo Dominguez, who received the 2025 Mary S. Collier Distinguished Graduate Award from the Valencia College Alumni Association.
Dominguez, a pastor, Christian school administrator and father of two who lives in Poinciana, returned to Valencia College in 2015 to finish his associate degree and came back to the college again in 2023 to earn his bachelor’s degree. He graduates in May with a bachelor’s degree in business and organizational leadership.
As he progressed on his degree, he inspired others in his orbit to return to school, including his mom, who earned her GED recently, and a friend, who Dominguez accompanied on his first day of classes to ease his jitters. He also helped his dad, who spent most of his career in the pest-control industry, launch his own pest-control business.
Also graduating this spring will be Yvonne Brown, who at 75, will be the oldest student graduating this term. She will receive an Associate in Science degree in culinary management.
Brown, who spent most of her career working in the beauty industry, came to Valencia College to study in the college’s culinary program, focusing on developing keto-friendly recipes and recipes designed for people with diabetes. One of her recipes is a gluten-free biscuit that one of her chef/professors described as “the best gluten-free biscuit I’ve ever had.”
A recorded version of the ceremonies will be available on May 16 at this website: https://valenciacollege.edu/students/graduation/.