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Welcome Home, Grads!
School of Education celebrates 2020 and 2021 graduates at the USF Welcome Home Commencement Celebration.
On April 8, 2022, the University of San Francisco welcomed graduates from the classes of 2020 and 2021 back to campus for a day of celebration!
The USF Welcome Home Commencement Celebration was a long-awaited day of recognition of USF graduates who had navigated unprecedented challenges to earn their degrees.
We spoke with several School of Education graduates as they reflected on their time at USF and what participating in the Welcome Home Commencement meant to them.
“After a long two years, returning to the USF campus was a proud moment. As a student, walking past Saint Ignatius church, rushing to my evening classes, I would often reminisce about how our graduation ceremony would be. As a first generation student, earning my teaching credential and master’s degree in special education, this was not only a major step for myself, but my family as well.”
Carmen Candelaria ‘20, Master of Arts in Special Education
“The highlight of being part of the USF school counseling program was by far my interactions with my cohort. Over the last 3 years, we built such a beautiful bond with each other and we have continued to be in each other’s lives even after leaving USF. There is something really special about being a part of a group of people, who come from all different walks of life, who have a common goal: to help and support the future leaders and activists in our community. It is an experience I will be forever grateful for and it meant the world to me to get to celebrate this moment with them.”
Daniel Molina ‘20, Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology - School Counseling
“The biggest highlight of my time in my SOE program was being able to gain another family within my gold cohort. We interviewed together, laughed, cried, became very resilient through the pandemic and were able to finish strong for graduation. I don’t think I would have been able to graduate without everyone’s love, support, and encouragement towards one another. For that, I am eternally grateful to have gained some amazing friends and I look forward to continuing to celebrate everyone’s triumphs. Every cohort member definitely has a heart of gold!”
Yaretzie Amaya ‘21, Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology - School Counseling
