When Frederick Community College (FCC)’s graduating Class of 2026 assembles at Mount St. Mary’s University on Thursday, May 21, for the College’s 68^th Commencement, they will have the opportunity to hear insights from The Honorable Aruna Miller, Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor, along with FCC leaders and student speakers.
 
“We are delighted to welcome Lieutenant Governor Miller to this joyous occasion for students, their family and friends, and the entire FCC community,” said FCC President Annesa Payne Cheek. “Her appearance as Commencement Speaker is a recognition of FCC’s influence in shaping the future of how people learn, work, connect and contribute to the vitality of Frederick County and the statewide workforce.”
 
“Community colleges like Frederick Community College are helping build the future of Maryland’s workforce and economy," said Lt. Governor Aruna Miller.“Whether students are preparing for careers in healthcare, business, STEM, public service, or continuing their education, FCC is opening doors to opportunity and creating pathways to success for Marylanders of every age and background. I’m honored to celebrate the Class of 2026 and the incredible determination, resilience, and ambition that brought them to this milestone.”
 
The Class of 2026 is comprised of 1,052 graduates—the largest since 2016—who will be awarded associate degrees and certificates. Their numbers include:

• Graduates ranging in age from 18 to 69 years old, with an overall average age of 26
• Three hundred students who are graduating with High Honors and 197 students who are graduating with Honors
• 221 students who are first-generation college graduates
• Twenty-eight students who are military veterans

 
The most popular degrees earned this year are:

• Business Administration
• General Studies
• Nursing
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
• Social Sciences

 
In addition to the Lieutenant Governor and FCC leaders, the Commencement Ceremony will feature speeches from Natara Boateng and Tashina Jordan, two students representing the Class of 2026.
 
Natara Boateng is an honor roll student who completed her studies at FCC in December 2025 with a degree in Psychology. She plans to pursue a career in psychology to become an adolescent therapist, with a minor in communications or law. Natara embraces this opportunity to share her voice and story, as she is passionate about growth, perspective, self-discovery, and using her experiences to connect, inspire, and help others.
 
Tashina Jordan has balanced full-time work, family responsibilities, and evening classes. She graduated in December with a degree in American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation with High Honors, as well as a certificate in ASL Interpretation with Distinction. Tashina currently works with interpreting agencies in Colorado while providing pro-bono community interpreting services. She also works with a mentor to continue refining her skills, recognizing that interpreting is a lifelong journey of learning and growth.
 
The Commencement Ceremony will be livestreamed at http://www.frederick.edu beginning at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow.

For more information about the 2026 Commencement ceremony, visit www.frederick.edu/commencement. Read the May/June issue of the FCC Connects magazine at for in-depth profiles on several graduates, alumni advice and the full list of this year’s graduates.