Clatsop Community College will celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026 during its annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 12 at 5:30 p.m. in Patriot Hall on the Lexington Campus in Astoria.
This year, 140 students will graduate from CCC, including 90 students earning associate degrees, 22 students earning certificates, and 30 students completing their GED credentials. The ceremony will honor graduates from across the college’s academic, career technical, and adult education programs as they prepare to take the next step in their educational and professional journeys.
The 2026 Commencement Ceremony will feature several students and community leaders whose stories reflect the perseverance, leadership, and community spirit of Clatsop Community College.
The ceremony’s Commencement Guest Speaker will be Norma Hernandez, Deputy Director of Consejo Hispano and a widely respected advocate for social justice, health equity, and community engagement on the North Coast. Hernandez has dedicated years to serving and uplifting under served communities in the region through nonprofit leadership, public health work, and volunteer service.
Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Hernandez has received numerous honors for her community impact, including the George Award from the Astoria Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce, the President’s Award from the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association, the Portland Trail Blazers’ Hometown Hero Award during Latino Heritage Celebration, and the 2025 Individual Community Impact Award from Clatsop Economic Development Resources.
Serving as Faculty Marshal this year is Dr. Julie Brown, longtime English instructor, who will address the graduates a final time before she retires after years of dedicated service to CCC students.
Student Marshals for the ceremony are Fiona Giselle Hackett and Acadia Dwyer, two students whose academic achievements and leadership have distinguished them across campus. Hackett will deliver the student address, while Dwyer will lead the student body into the ceremony.
Hackett, who graduates with an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree in English, has become a prominent student leader at CCC through her service as Associated Student Government president, campus committee involvement, and advocacy for student belonging and engagement. She was recently named to the 2026 All-Oregon Academic Team and selected as a semi-finalist for the nationally competitive Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.
Dwyer, also named to the 2026 All-Oregon Academic Team, began earning college credits while still attending Astoria High School through dual-credit opportunities. While attending CCC, she has balanced an ambitious science course load with hands-on experience working as an inpatient pharmacy technician at Columbia Memorial Hospital. She plans to continue her education in biochemistry and molecular biology before pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
Gabrielle Montano will serve as the GED Student Speaker, representing the accomplishments and determination of CCC’s Adult Education graduates.
“Commencement is one of the most meaningful moments of the year because it celebrates the determination, resilience, and growth of our students,” said CCC President Jarrod Hogue. “This graduating class represents students from many different backgrounds and life experiences, all coming together to achieve something extraordinary. We are incredibly proud of each of them.”
The public is invited to attend the ceremony and celebrate the accomplishments of the CCC graduating class. A livestream option will also be available for family members and friends unable to attend in person and will be shared on the college website the day of the ceremony.
Additional commencement information and the livestream link will be available at the CCC Commencement webpage: clatsopcc.edu/graduation-commencement/.
