CUNY SPS Honors Class of 2024 With Nod to Family’s Role In Educational Success

School celebrates largest graduating class ever in ceremony extoling importance of family for educational success; several family members graduating from CUNY SPS share highlights

The CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) paid tribute to the Class of 2024 in a joyful and inspiring Commencement ceremony on May 23 at Louis Armstrong Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and broadcast live online.

In a reflection of the School’s continuing growth, the CUNY SPS Class of 2024 was the largest class to date, with an estimated 1300 graduates earning undergraduate or graduate degrees or certificates. In another standout number, over 500 of the 830 undergraduates receiving their degrees were also awarded academic honors.  

The power of family to model success and provide support was a prevailing theme of the ceremony, which opened with introductions by the emcee, CUNY SPS Director of Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions Lucas Sifuentes, followed by a tuneful rendition of the national anthem sung by Brooklyn native and international recording artist, Unique Zayas.

In a video greeting, CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez congratulated the Class of 2024 and welcomed them to join the generations of New Yorkers for whom the City University of New York has served as a force for social and economic mobility. Following his remarks, CUNY Trustee Salimatou Doumbouya offered her own stirring words honoring the graduates and all that they have achieved.

Next, CUNY SPS Dean Lisa R. Braverman shared her own personal story as a first-generation college student, and the obstacles she overcame to complete her schooling and build a rewarding career in higher education administration. Her accomplishments, as she observed, came with an unanticipated but welcome effect: inspiring her own son, who is now a graduate student at Stanford University. In a moving note, Dean Braverman reflected that this legacy of success is a gift the Class of 2024 graduates may also give to their own children.

“This same transformative process is what I know all of our graduates will leave with today. The education you have just completed at CUNY SPS has changed who you are and how you interact with the world, just as it has for me,” Dean Braverman said. “And, even better, these achievements will not just remain yours alone. …[Y]ou have also passed on a remarkable gift to your children. From you, they have learned the best lesson of all: to pursue your dreams, regardless of the obstacles, and to believe in yourself, no matter what comes.”

The speeches concluded with an emotional address from the Class of 2024 Student Speaker, Diana Haynes (pictured left), who graduated summa cum laude with a BA in Human Relations. In her remarks, Haynes described how she decided to return to school after a 25-year career in the hospitality industry, and the struggles—and triumphs—she faced completing her studies at CUNY SPS while looking for a new job and raising a son and daughter.

“Juggling my collection of roles undoubtedly presented challenges; however, it was worth the sacrifices and pain points because it has evolved me into a different person,” Haynes said. “I have experienced profound academic achievement and social growth…Additionally, I have deepened my connections, expanded my network, forged lifelong friendships, and gained experiences I will cherish forever.”

Haynes, who is now studying graduate-level industrial organizational psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park and pursuing a career in project and change management, echoed Dean Braverman’s sentiment that her own successes may serve as a source of inspiration for her daughter.

“I am also excited today because my daughter Kayla gets to see her mommy stand here today and deliver this speech. In addition to inspiring you, my greatest desire is that this would be a forever reminder to her that nothing is impossible if she will honor God…and go after everything she does in life with excellence.”

A CUNY SPS Family Affair

The importance of family was also reflected among the Class of 2024 graduates, several of whom had the unique experience of celebrating their big day with family members who also attended CUNY SPS.

Yolanda Ramsay (pictured left), who graduated summa cum laude from the BA in Liberal Studies program, originally decided to apply to CUNY SPS on the recommendation of her daughter Dahlia Ramsay (pictured to her right), who completed a MA in Applied Theater in 2019.

“Dahlia would often speak highly of SPS, particularly about the faculty, and staff…When I completed my associate degree, Dahlia reminded me to consider SPS which I did, without hesitation,” Ramsay said. “My experiences at [the School] have been an extension and affirmation of my first impressions of SPS and of Dahlia’s experience.”

After enrolling, Ramsay found her daughter’s predictions came true. Ramsay not only found her classes, professors, and collaborations with fellow students extremely rewarding, she was also able to benefit from CUNY SPS’ innovative Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) initiative, which enabled her to earn additional college credits based on her knowledge of Spanish and graduate earlier than planned.

“Having come to SPS as a transfer student..., and having saved course study time via CPL credits, my time at SPS has been comparatively brief but immensely impactful,” Ramsay said. “The discussion forums, for me, were definitely a highlight. It gave me a chance to build a relationship with my classmates with whom I shared diverse perspectives, which I really looked forward to each week. I also genuinely enjoyed all of my courses and had some exceptional professors at SPS.”

With her BA under her belt, Ramsay is planning her next steps. “My strengths are in guiding people toward alternative paths to thriving careers with an emphasis on the relational, for which my Liberal Studies degree is a perfect complement and support!” she said. “My career encompasses period theatre design, ESL teaching/facilitation, and career workshops for aspiring technical theatre interns. I am currently researching organizations where I can effectively bring the related aspects of those three together with an emphasis on career development and self-advocacy.”

In another CUNY SPS family affair, brothers and fellow Class of 2024 graduates Adriel (pictured left) and Luis (pictured to his right) Gutierrez jointly celebrated the conferral of their master’s degrees on Commencement day.

Similar to Ramsay, CUNY SPS came recommended to the Gutierrez brothers by a family member and alum—in this case, Luis’ wife Christy Nightingale, who earned a MA in Disability Studies in 2015. Nightingale’s experience here, which helped develop her interest in advocating “on behalf of individuals with disabilities such as herself…” inspired Luis, who currently works as the assistant director of disability services at Guttman Community College. He ended up applying to the School’s MS in Disability Services in Higher Education program, finding it to be a “…a great option, because it’s fully online and encompasses the work I do.”

Separately, Adriel, who currently works for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as a Program Coordinator for New York City Teens Connection, was encouraged by Luis to apply for the MA in Youth Studies program. “My brother…introduced me to the program,” Adriel said. “He assured me I would excel and that the program would complement my work.”

Luis and Adriel both found their time at CUNY SPS very enriching, noting they greatly enjoyed the course instruction and interactions with their faculty and classmates.

“The support from fellow students and professors in every class was truly inspiring,” Adriel said. “I found a sense of community and…was able to meet students such as myself that have the desire to help others,” Luis explained. “The courses in the Disability Services in Higher Education program also provided me with a valuable learning experience.”

Both report that their degrees will be instrumental in their careers. Adriel noted, “Our department provides free sexual health education and services to NYC public schools. My degree will help me continue to build and improve our program.”

"I plan to utilize my learning experiences to continue serving the students I work with on a daily basis,” Luis said. “…If I can help at least one student reach their fullest potential, I see that as an amazing accomplishment.”

Like Ramsay, who attended Commencement with Dahlia and the rest of their family, the Gutierrez brothers welcomed the opportunity to be together on this milestone day.

For Luis, the graduation ceremony offered a chance to “… connect with my fellow classmates, celebrate with my family and friends, and graduate with my brother, who is one of my role models.”

Adriel agreed, reflecting once again on the power of family to inspire. “We all motivate each other to reach new heights,” he said.

Watch highlights from the 2024 Commencement here.

About the CUNY School of Professional Studies

As New York's leading online school since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule.

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