Quotes from the Class of 2022
We asked our graduates what they will remember most about their time at Seattle Colleges. Following are some of their responses.
“I will remember the amazing friendships I formed. All the inspiring people I got the chance to meet. The instructors that pushed me, and led me through a period of personal and professional growth.”
—Meron T., Seattle Central College
“The privilege to attend school during such a challenging period has provided me with a path I’ve already been able to start. I have knowledge and experiences that have taken me farther than I would have thought possible by this point. I look forward to what the future holds for me with all that I’ve learned and have to offer because of my time here at South Seattle College.”
—Mikaela S., South Seattle College
“I will remember the faculty, especially all of those in the Early Childhood Education BAS program. They have literally been part of one of the best moments of my life, my continued education. They have been so supportive, so helpful, and so kind. I honestly wouldn't be here without them and will miss them all.”
—Miriam A., North Seattle College
“It is the place of opportunity to thrive and grow at my pace. Seattle Central is a great institution that transformed our lives. My husband and I studied here and successfully achieved our academic and career goals.”
—Habiba I., Seattle Central College
“I graduated high school in 2002, and here I am 20 years later making a dream come true. I appreciate the encouragement and advice from the SSC staff to make this a reality.”
—Chris B., South Seattle College
“As a Running Start student, I would like to remember and give thanks to all the professors who have helped me learn so much about education, life, and college. Thank you to the professors that listened and reached out. They all helped shape me into the person I am today.”
—Brian L., Seattle Central College
“I am so honored to be part of such a supportive, driven, and inspirational community that helped me find a way to do what I love every day.”
—Athena S., Seattle Central College
“What I will remember the most is how much work my advisors, professors, and program leads put in to ensure that I was getting the best education possible, even amidst the pandemic.”
—Nikolas R., South Seattle College
“It is the happiest time of my life because that was a journey to my success to have a professional career, and my other joy was to give birth to my second child while I was in college.”
—Fikirte M., North Seattle College
“...How supportive and understanding staff, instructors, and advisors have been during the pandemic. They are always looking out for students and making sure we have everything we need to succeed. Thank you.”
—Polina O., South Seattle College
“While working at the college activities board, I was able to make amazing friends, share tons of laughs, celebrate the diversity of our community, and build relationships across cultures, all during a pandemic...”
—Patricia Estefania F., Seattle Central College
“What I will remember most about my time with Seattle Colleges is how supportive this community was to my son and me, regardless of our demographic and cultural differences. Having a community believe in me, my family, and the pursuit of my dreams, was what helped me get to where I am at today.”
—Jennifer O., North Seattle College
“...All the great stories that Mr. Todd Jones would ramble on about as we worked on our cars, and all the great advice he would give us about the automotive industry.”
—Antuoan J., South Seattle College
“Professors, advisors, and tutors have helped me through hardships ever since I started at North. The professors motivated me to work hard and supported me with valuable advice. I was very grateful.”
—Noriko T., North Seattle College
“During this 10-year journey there were amazing classes, awesome instructors, countless memories, phenomenal classmates, and priceless experiences.”
—Robert B., Seattle Central College
“Returning to college after 20 years is one the hardest things I've ever done. To nontraditional students like me considering pursuing or finishing a degree, I urge you to believe in yourself and in your academic potential. Wayne Gretzky said, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." So, take your shot. Never give up on your dreams. Special thanks to these remarkable people: to the absolutely wonderful faculty and staff at North Seattle College; to my advisor, Jillian Fisher, for helping realize a lifelong dream; to Dr. Deepa Bhandaru for invaluable mentorship; to my husband, David; and to my son, Aidan, who is graduating with me today.”
—Colleen C., North Seattle College
“Being a part of student leadership was the best choice I made as student of Seattle Central. I am very grateful to have met so many wonderful people from every part of the world. It is a great joy to go work every day and be able to have fun. I am going to miss our advisors who championed our ideas and provided us with guidance along the way. Thank you, Seattle Central College.”
—Zara K., Seattle Central College
“The effort put into making virtual courses and the correlated materials accessible to all students was more than accommodating. Instructors were gracious and patient, showing more than just professionalism during the pandemic, but a genuine human nature toward myself and my classmates. My experience at Seattle Colleges was woefully impacted by the pandemic. Still, I persevered and put my head in the game, graduating with honors and tools in my belt. During the years I was enrolled at South Seattle, I never stepped foot into a classroom or met with friends at the nearby botanical garden, but I was dedicated to the education placed on my dual-screen monitor. While the reality of the limited in-person experience was undesirable, the memories I made with educators, classmates, and Seattle Colleges' staff will stay with me for a lifetime. There are few words I could express to those whose lives intersected with mine, but the encounters will be forever in my heart. My compassion for others has bloomed, nourishing my once dried-up seeds. Thank you to everyone who persisted with me; I wouldn't be who I am without you.”
—Miranda C., South Seattle College
“When I first moved to Seattle, I really felt the "Seattle freeze." After starting classes at Seattle Colleges, I met countless diverse beautiful people that completely opened my mind, showed me the true beauty of the city. Some of them are even my best friends today. I completed my life-long goal of becoming a nurse. I will always think fondly of Seattle Colleges, the school that made this city a home.”
—Chloe P., Seattle Central College
“...The amazing bonds and memories I have made with not only peers but professors as well. The Seattle Colleges do such an amazing job making sure students are heard, and I am going to truly miss my time here.”
—Marquisa S., South Seattle College
“What I will remember the most about my time at Seattle Central College is the way it shaped my re-entry into society after time in prison. The University Beyond Bars program gave me the foundation that I needed to pursue my career as an electrician. I will always be grateful for the chance to receive an education in prison, and I hope this program continues.”
—Shaphan W., Seattle Central College
“I started my bachelor's degree at the beginning of what would become a pandemic. We continued on and became a cohort of friends who saw each other on the computer two times a week but never in person. I started this degree as an 18-year-old over 30 years ago, and life and three kids took over. I wondered if after all these years I could do it. Well here I am, and it would not have been possible without all the wonderful professors in the Early Childhood program. They are so supportive and have become like family. I do not think I would find that in a huge university.”
—Carma B., North Seattle College
“Hard work, determination and perseverance helped me obtain my dream job as a pediatric oncology nurse in our country's number one institution for cancer treatment. Thank you, Seattle Colleges for the opportunity to support individuals in their most vulnerable moments and to make history in the treatment of cancer.”
—Jacqueline S., Seattle Central College
“...How much the welding instructors seem to actually care and want to see me succeed and graduate.”
—Daniel P., South Seattle College
“What I will remember most from my time at Seattle Central is all the things I have accomplished and each and every single person that has supported me along the way. I have spent the best years of my life being a student, a leader, a friend and an employee at this college. Thank you for helping me to become a more well-rounded person and for making me to believe in myself.”
—Maryam N., Seattle Central College
“South Seattle College as a community gave me a chance to make my childhood dream a reality. Thank you to the instructors who took time to share their knowledge and made sure I leave South as a prof-tech graduate. Grateful to the lecturers and instructors who would stand in the gap to give us a chance to grow and learn academically. I will always be indebted to that. Once an Otter, always an Otter!”
—John W., South Seattle College
“When a woman knows her rights, how to use them, and how to advocate for her rights, she is stronger.”
—Sumaria S., Seattle Central College
“I will remember the support and love I have received from all my instructors. My daughter passed away in October 2020, and I thought for sure I would drop out of school. But because of the caring instructors and advisor I am graduating today. Today I graduate for my children, and because of the Seattle Colleges team I am more confident and prepared. Thank you very much. I love you all.”
—Felicia W., North Seattle College
“What I learned from my time at Seattle Central is to be a hard worker and never give up. Seattle Central College helped me gain an understanding of college courses and what professors are like. I would like to thank all of my professors and peers who helped me throughout my courses, as well as my family and friends who pushed me to be my best.”
—Mumtaz S., Seattle Central College