Cerro Coso Community College Celebrates the Class of 2026 and a Year of Growth, Resilience, and Achievement
Cerro Coso Community College proudly celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 during commencement ceremonies held across its service area, marking the largest number of graduates participating in commencement ceremonies in the college’s history.
This year, 753 graduates earned a remarkable total of 1,320 awards, reflecting the college’s continued commitment to student success, workforce development, and educational opportunity throughout the region.
The Class of 2026 earned:
- 523 Associate in Arts degrees, including 92 Associate Degrees for Transfer
- 218 Associate in Science degrees, including 102 Associate Degrees for Transfer
- 545 Certificates of Achievement
- 33 Job Skills Certificates
- 1 Certificate of Competency
Graduates represented the many communities Cerro Coso serves:
- 288 graduates from the IWV campus
- 80 graduates from the ESCC campus
- 130 graduates from East Kern
- 12 graduates from the Rising Scholars program
- 243 online students
The graduating class also reflected the diversity and resilience that define Cerro Coso students. While 143 students attended full-time, the majority—610 students—balanced their education with careers, family responsibilities, military service, and other life commitments as they pursued their goals.
“Commencement is always one of the most meaningful times of the year at Cerro Coso,” said President Dr. Sean Hancock. “Our graduates represent determination, perseverance, and the power of education to transform lives. Their journeys are unique, but they all share a commitment to building a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities.”
Throughout the 2025–2026 academic year, Cerro Coso continued expanding opportunities for students through workforce training, transfer pathways, student support initiatives, and community partnerships. The college celebrated growth in Career Technical Education, increased transfer outcomes, expanded student engagement events, and regional recognition for programs ranging from cybersecurity to environmental science research.
Student success remained at the center of the college’s mission across all campuses. From first-generation students and working parents to dual-enrollment high school students and veterans, Cerro Coso’s graduates reflect the broad range of learners the college proudly serves.
As graduates crossed the stage surrounded by family, friends, faculty, and staff, commencement ceremonies celebrated not only academic achievement but the resilience and community support that made those achievements possible.
“Once a Coyote, always a Coyote,” Hancock said. “We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2026 and excited to see the impact they will make in the world.”
For more information, visit the Cerro Coso Community College website.
Photo: Graduates, faculty, and attendees at the Cerro Coso Community College commencement ceremony in Ridgecrest on May 15, 2026.
