College of Alameda Celebrates 600+ Graduates Under Blue Skies

Under perfect blue skies, College of Alameda transformed its soccer field into a celebration of achievement as the Class of 2026 took center stage on May 22, 2026. Before the ceremony began, graduates filled the gymnasium with laughter and camera clicks, capturing final moments with friends, family, and the faculty who helped them reach this milestone.

President Melanie Dixon and Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson set the tone by running through gathering areas, high-fiving graduates and shouting words of encouragement. Their energy turned a formal ceremony into a community celebration rooted in pride and perseverance.

This year's ceremony showcased the power of diverse voices leading the way. Commencement speaker Adrien Abuyen, Valedictorian Abdo Al Mumin Abuzaid, and Salutatorian Perry W. Green III, all men of color, shared powerful personal stories about their journeys to graduation.

"It may sound cliché, but we've truly been a community here at community college," Abuzaid told his classmates. Green followed with a rallying cry that drew cheers: "This is what believing looks like. This is what striving looks like. And don't you ever give up on you!"

The ceremony honored the rich diversity of paths that led graduates to this moment. Dental Assisting Program graduates stood out in their professional elegance, ready to begin healthcare careers serving their communities. Student parents created some of the day's most emotional moments by walking across the stage holding their children, showing the next generation what determination looks like.

Why This Inspires

College of Alameda proves that community colleges are engines of opportunity and transformation. In urban communities where access to education can determine the trajectory of entire families, these graduates represent more than personal achievement.

When student parents cross the stage with their children, they're not just earning degrees. They're modeling resilience and showing their kids that education is worth the sacrifice.

When three men of color take the mic and share stories about "the come up," they're creating a blueprint for the students watching from middle school and high school who need to see themselves in success stories. Their message of community and persistence will echo far beyond graduation day.

The Class of 2026 now carries their education into communities that need their skills, their leadership, and their lived experience of what's possible.