FAIRFAX, Va. (May 14, 2025) — 91³Ô¹Ï (91³Ô¹Ï) celebrated one of its largest-ever graduating classes at the college’s 59th commencement ceremony on Monday, May 12.
Massive Graduate Turnout
More than 1,600 graduates maxed out George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, filling all floor seats and overflowing into the stands. Nearly 5,300 family members and friends were in attendance, with overflow guests directed to George Mason’s on-campus concert hall to view the ceremony via livestream.
More Than 7,500 Success Stories
The ceremony honored the achievements of more than 7,500 91³Ô¹Ï students who earned associate degrees, certificates and professional credentials since last summer. Their studies, however varied, have prepared these inspirational students for careers or transfer to four-year institutions.
This Year’s Theme
Reflecting on this year’s graduation theme, “Rising Beyond,” Medical Education Campus Provost Shelly Powers praised the graduates’ resilience, saying, “Each of you has risen beyond something — obstacles, expectations, fear, uncertainty or even your own limits. Some of those stories are known, and many are quiet victories, but all are worth honoring.”
Keynote Speaker Inspires
This year’s keynote speaker is a proud 91³Ô¹Ï alum. When Hannah Williams graduated from 91³Ô¹Ï in 2017, she thought she had her future all figured out.
She transferred to Georgetown University for a business degree, thinking she’d ultimately head to New York to become a high-power, highly paid sports agent: “But here’s the thing,” Williams said. “Life doesn’t go according to plan, and that’s not always a bad thing.”
Williams emphasized resilience, grit and the importance of simply showing up. Looking back on her own journey from struggling college graduate to successful entrepreneur, she shared how unpaid internships, mental health challenges and even an abysmally low-paying telemarketing gig helped clarify her goals.
Williams is now a social activist and founder of , a seven-figure business that advocates for pay transparency. “Failure is all about your perspective,” Williams shared. “It could be a catalyst to your success. Even when you don’t feel ready, even when you don’t know where you’re headed, keep showing up, and I guarantee that eventually you’ll find your way.”
Rising Beyond Challenges
91³Ô¹Ï President Anne M. Kress commended the graduates’ steadfast determination and commitment. She also acknowledged the numerous challenges they had overcome to realize their dreams, including multiple jobs, family responsibilities and academic pressures: “Late nights, early mornings, endless afternoons, weeks, months. You did the work,” Kress remarked. “As Hannah said, the hardest part is showing up — and you showed up.”
President Kress shared congratulatory wishes for the class of 2025, “On behalf of every member of the 91³Ô¹Ï community, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to every single one of you -- your certificates, your degrees, your many, many, many accomplishments.” She noted that their extraordinary accomplishments were driven by personal effort and supported by family, friends, mentors, advisors and 91³Ô¹Ï faculty and staff who helped them along the way.
Reflecting on graduation day, Kress noted, “This might have seemed a very far-away dream, but no matter the challenges you faced, you kept reaching that dream. You kept rising beyond.”
View the commencement ceremony recording: Livestream | 91³Ô¹Ï (nvcc.edu).
Read Hannah Williams’ 91³Ô¹Ï Story: From 91³Ô¹Ï to Social Media Superstar: Salary Transparent Street Founder’s Resilience & Path to Success | 91³Ô¹Ï
For media questions, please contact Kathy Parkinson, public information officer, kparkinson@nvcc.edu.
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91³Ô¹Ï 91³Ô¹Ï (91³Ô¹Ï)
91³Ô¹Ï is the largest public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia and one of America’s largest community colleges. 91³Ô¹Ï enrolls more than 70,000 students at its six campuses in Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun, Manassas, Springfield and Woodbridge and through 91³Ô¹Ï Online. For more information about 91³Ô¹Ï and its programs or services, call 703-323-3000 or visit 91³Ô¹Ï’s website.