Alvin College ushered in a new era with its first-ever graduates from the Bachelor’s Degree program during a Commencement Ceremony on December 2.
The Alvin College Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Management had 24 students walk the stage to receive their degrees during the ceremony. They are the first Bachelor’s Degrees awarded by Alvin College.
“What a monumental day!” Alvin College President Dr. Robert J. Exley said at the start of the ceremony. “You are critically important to the future of our country. We challenge you with everything you do, serve others, make a positive difference in the world and live your life with integrity. Your hard work and dedication have brought you to this moment.”
Bachelor’s graduate and Commencement speaker Deshazno Hall talked about his journey through the program.
“We balanced work, family, life and school and we pushed through every challenge,” he said. “We didn’t just earn degrees, we made history.”
A task force of Alvin College instructors, staff members, and instructional leadership began research on the feasibility of the degree program in Spring 2021. After earning accreditation for the program, classes began in Fall 2024.
Today there are 201 students enrolled in the program.
Hall said the program taught him to become a better student despite the adversity. That hard work led to him to graduate with honors while joining the National Society of Leadership and Success as well as becoming vice president of the Phi Theta Lambda, an organization for business students.
“Achievements I never expected but it’s proof that if you show up and trust the process, extraordinary things can happen,” Hall said.
After finishing his degree at Alvin College, Hall intends to continue with his education to pursue his Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Earning his Bachelor’s Degree prepared him to seek the graduate degree.
“Success is never about failing. It’s about rising every time you stumble,” Hall said. “I’ve learned resilience, I’ve learned to ask for help, to lean on support of family, classmates and mentors who refused to let me quit.”
Alvin College regents recently approved a second Bachelor’s Degree program for Science of Nursing which is currently in development.
For more information about the program, visit www.alvincollege.edu/businessadministration/bachelor.html or call 281-756-3812.
