Cambridge Community Learning Center Celebrates 2025 Graduates
6/24/2025 • 5 months ago
On Wednesday, June 18, the Cambridge Community Learning Center (CLC) hosted its annual graduation ceremony to celebrate 102 adult students who completed programs at the CLC during the 2024–2025 academic year.
CLC staff, teachers, and volunteers joined friends and families of graduates to recognize the accomplishments of:
- 9 graduates from the High School Equivalency Credential Program,which prepares students to take high school equivalency (HiSET and GED) exams.
- 12 graduates from the Bridge to College Program. In this program, students get ready for college by taking college-level courses that help improve their writing, math, and academic reading skills. The program also assists students in applying for college, financial aid, and scholarships.
- 9 graduates from the Early Childhood Education Career Training Program. Students in this program complete an online early childhood education course and a paid internship in a licensed early childhood program in Cambridge. Participants who successfully finish the program are eligible to earn their Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential and start working as early childhood educators.
- 34 graduates from the English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program, which helps students improve their reading, writing and speaking skills.
- 38 graduates from the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training Program, which prepares students for careers in healthcare. The program offers two tracks — for Fluent English Speakers and for English Language Learners.
Celebratory remarks were made by the CLC's Director Maria Kefallinou, Vice Mayor Marc McGovern, and Manuel Fernandez, Chief Equity Officer and Assistant Superintendent at Cambridge Public Schools. A graduate representing each CLC program spoke about their experience.
Muna Mahammed, one of the graduate speakers for the Early Childhood Education Career Training Program, described how she feels now that she has finished the program. “This has been one of the most fun and rewarding experiences of my life. I am filled with a sense of real accomplishment having completed this program," she said. "I look forward to working as a preschool teacher and continuing my education in the field of early childhood.”
In Ai Lee, the graduate speaker for the English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program, shared some advice for future CLC students: “When standing at the crossroads in life, listen to the voice of your heart and pursue that path with dedication. Even if the outcome is failure, the regret will be brief. But the regret of never trying lingers for longer. Therefore, rather regret having tried than live with the regret of never trying at all.”
The ceremony also honored 12 CLC students who became U.S. citizens during the school year and 24 graduates and alumni who received college scholarships sponsored by local organizations and benefactors. Phyllis Benjamin, President of The Friends of the CLC, a nonprofit organization that supports CLC, presented the scholarships. The graduation ceremony also recognized CLC volunteers and honored Spencer Markowitz as Volunteer of the Year.
Would you like to take classes at the CLC or help support students? For more information, visit www.cambridgema.gov/CLC.