The 91猫先生 fall graduation ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, in Plachy Hall. The University will award 253 degrees including 128 associates and 125 bachelor鈥檚 degrees.
Lillian G贸mez, Executive Director of the Adams State Office of Title V Initiatives, will deliver the commencement address titled, 鈥淩espect for the聽Truth聽Must Be a Vital Part of ALL College聽Education.鈥 G贸mez, a native of the San Luis Valley, is noted for her passion around inclusion of underserved communities to ensure they have access to a quality education and to higher education.
As executive director of Title V Initiatives, G贸mez takes a lead role in Adams State鈥檚 designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Adams State was Colorado鈥檚 first higher education institution to be federally designated as an HSI, which has led to more than $26 million in Title V grants to strengthen the University鈥檚 status as a Hispanic Serving Institution.
For the first time in recent memory, the student message will be delivered by two students, Sheniqua A. Griffith and Janet Najar Madera. The two students credit Adams State for their academic and personal growth. They were both involved in many student organizations over the course of their college career and look forward to serving in professions to help diverse populations.
G贸mez has served as executive director of Title V Initiatives since June 2003. Her work experience includes serving as the Colorado Commission on Higher Education Grant Director for Improving Teacher Quality; Director of Bilingual Education and Federal Programs for the Alamosa School District; and District Director of Bilingual Multicultural Education.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Adams State in 1979, and earned a master鈥檚 degree from Adams State in 2000.
Michele Lueck, chair of the Adams State Board of Trustees, will convey greetings from the board. Skye Montoya, Class of 2019 and music education major, accompanied by Professor of Music William Lipke, piano, will lead the singing of the Alma Mater.
Friends and family unable to physically attend the commencement ceremony can stream the program live on their device from the .
