Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
It was a day to remember as we proudly celebrated our 92nd Annual Commencement Ceremony at the world-famous Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The joyful celebration, which honored 2,785 graduates from 65 countries, marked a historic first -- Monroe’s first Commencement in New York since achieving university status last summer.
The grandeur of Radio City provided a fitting stage for this milestone event, which took place over two separate ceremonies to warmly welcome the families and friends of graduates earning Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and advanced degrees and certificates.
President Marc Jerome opened the ceremonies with heartfelt and uplifting remarks that reflected on Monroe’s growth, diversity, and shared purpose.
Distinguished Voices Mark a Memorable Day
Keynote addresses were delivered by two trailblazing public leaders with deep connections to New York City:
• Bronx County District Attorney Darcel Clark inspired graduates of the morning ceremony, which included students from the School of Business and Accounting, School of Criminal and Social Justice, School of Information Technology, and School of Nursing.
• NYC Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, a proud former Monroe Vice President, energized the afternoon graduates from the King Graduate School, School of Allied Health Professions, School of Education, and School of Hospitality Management and the Culinary Institute of New York.
In addition to the keynote speakers, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and NYC Council Member Pierina Sanchez offered warm, congratulatory messages to the Class of 2025, celebrating their hard work and achievements.
Honoring Excellence and Dedication
This year’s Grand Marshals, Cicely Spann and Maria Vega, were celebrated for each having dedicated more than 30 years of dedicated service to Monroe students and the university community. Their participation added a meaningful personal touch to the processions.
By the Numbers: The Class of 2025
Monroe’s global graduating class included students from 65 countries, with the largest international contingents from India, Saint Lucia, China, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Bangladesh.
This year, Monroe University conferred:
• 596 Master’s degrees
• 1,081 Bachelor’s degrees
• 1,051 Associate degrees
• 57 professional and advanced certificates
Thanks to Monroe’s innovative three-semester academic calendar, many students completed their degrees in accelerated timeframes, earning Associate degrees in under two years and Bachelor’s degrees in just three.
A Mission Fulfilled—and Just Beginning
Founded in 1933, Monroe University has long been a national leader in access, affordability, and student success, particularly for first-generation and international students. With every graduate, Monroe fulfills its mission: to transform lives through education and open doors to opportunity across the globe.
Congratulations to the resilient, determined, and inspiring Class of 2025. Your future starts now -- and you are ready for it!