South Seattle College (SSC) honored the Class of 2022 on the evening June 21 with a commencement ceremony at T-Mobile Park. It was a return to celebrating on a grand scale with graduates from the entire Seattle Colleges system (including North Seattle College and Seattle Central College) after two years of scaled down ceremonies due to the pandemic. 

All told, 878 graduates from SSC were recognized for their achievement of earning a degree or certificate. Over 3200 graduates across the college system were honored.  

“To the South Seattle College graduating class of 2022 and all of our graduates across Seattle Colleges, you are simply amazing,” Dr. Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap, president of SSC, said at the event. “When I think back over the past two plus years and all of the challenges you have tackled to reach this historic milestone … challenges in the classroom (or learning remotely from home), in your personal and work lives, in our society at large, so many things – big and small – that tried to tear you away from your goal. Well, you never lost that focus, and you have made clear to everyone in this stadium, in this world, that astounding resiliency and determination are at your very core.”  

Of the 878 awards South Seattle College conferred this year: 

• 397 graduates earned associate transfer degrees that enable them to transfer to four-year colleges and universities in Washington and beyond to complete their bachelor’s degrees. 
• 337 graduates earned career training associate of science degrees and certificates that prepare them to enter the workforce immediately. 
• 100 graduates earned high school diplomas or equivalents, allowing them to take a significant step toward future education and employment opportunities. 
• 44 graduates earned bachelors of applied science degrees, taking their careers to the next level and increasing their earning potential. 

About South Seattle College 

Established in 1969 and located on an 87-acre hilltop campus in West Seattle, South Seattle College serves as a portal of opportunity for students with diverse needs to meet their education and career goals. Students can also train as an apprentice at the college’s Georgetown campus.