MONROE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Rochester, New York
Sixty-Second Annual Commencement

Processional

• Music - Wilmot Brass Quintet
• Jannette Avery, Chief Marshal

Board of Trustees

• Allen K. Williams, Chair
• Carla M. Palumbo, Esq., Vice Chair
• Daniele Lyman-Torres, Secretary

Officers of Administration

• DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna, President
• Candice P. Baldwin, Chief of Staff
• Robin Cole, Jr.,
  Vice President, Economic and Workforce Development and
  Career Technical Education
• Calvin Gantt,
  Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Belonging, and
  Executive Director, Downtown Campus
• Darrell Jachim-Moore,
  Interim Chief Financial Officer and Vice President,
  Administrative Services
• Michael Jacobs,
  Provost and Vice President, Academic and
  Student Affairs
• Gretchen D. Wood,
  Vice President, Institutional Advancement, and
  Executive Director, MCC Foundation

Directors

• Jannette Avery, Professor of Mathematics, is carrying MCCʼs Mace and serving as the 2025 Commencement Ceremony Chief Marshal.

Congratulations to the Monroe Community College Class of 2025!

By continuing your education and growing your job skills, you are making Monroe County a better place to live, work, and play. My administration has invested in workforce development programs and created new jobs in our region—the jobs you are now ready to take on.

I know the promise an education from MCC holds. Thatʼs why I am investing in a new state-of-the-art Advanced Technology Center that is being constructed at the Brighton Campus. The new facility will better integrate MCCʼs technical programs with the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics courses available on campus. This center will prepare students for high-demand jobs like automotive technicians, precision machinists, solar panel technicians, and more.

Monroe County is proud to invest in MCCʼs Mpower program, training students as certified nurse assistants, licensed practical nurses, and registered nurses. Students admitted to the program also receive income, assistance with childcare, and transportation while completing the program to ensure no barriers stand in the way of their graduation.

Whether you are going on to continue your education or enter the job market, I have every confidence that the MCC Class of 2025 will help build a brighter future for Monroe County. Iʼm honored to celebrate with you and congratulate you on your achievement!

~ Adam J. Bello, Monroe County Executive

To the 2025 graduates of Monroe Community College:

It is my distinct honor to extend heartfelt congratulations to Monroe Community Collegeʼs class of 2025. On behalf of the residents of Rochester, I celebrate your incredible achievement and commend the hard work, commitment, and perseverance that brought you to this moment.

Earning your degree is no small feat—it requires discipline, resilience, and vision. Youʼve proven this to be true, and your accomplishment is a testament to your determination to build a better and brighter future.

Whether your next step is continuing your education, beginning a career, serving in the military, or pursuing a trade, I am confident that your MCC education has prepared you to meet the challenges ahead and contribute meaningfully to your community.

Take time to celebrate this accomplishment, youʼve earned it. The tools and knowledge you now carry will help shape not only your future but the future of Rochester. Together, we are working toward a more equitable and prosperous city, and your success plays a vital role in that vision.

I wish you all the best as you begin this exciting new chapter, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact you will make in our city, county, and the world.

~ Malik D. Evans, Mayor

Dr. Melany J. Silas-Chandler

Dr. Melany J. Silas-Chandler is a lifelong learner, dynamic educator, and visionary leader committed to community transformation. A proud Rochester, NY native, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Society and a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Development from the University of Rochester, a Master of Divinity from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, and a Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education from Syracuse University.

She is a proud Professor at Monroe Community College, where she has been shaping minds and changing lives for over 23 years. A trailblazer in health and wellness education, Dr. Silas-Chandler teaches courses such as Death & Dying and Black Women’s Mental Health and Wellness—a groundbreaking course she designed to bring voice and visibility to the mental health experiences of Black women. Dr. Silas-Chandler has served as the Chair of the African American Affinity Group for the past several years, and has served over the course of her tenure on the Diversity Council, the Wellness Council, and numerous administrative and departmental hiring committees, along with Middle States, SUNY and MCC Assessment committees, just to name a few. With more than 25 years of impactful service as an educator in the Rochester community, she has partnered with diverse stakeholders as a program developer, community consultant, conference organizer, minister, and counselor educator.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Silas-Chandler is a trusted community voice. She is the Founder and Executive Director of BreatheDeep, Inc., a nonprofit organization providing mental health and wellness education, counseling services, and restorative healing practices to marginalized communities. Under her leadership, BreatheDeep has become a vital hub for trauma response, youth empowerment, and mental health advocacy—especially in times of crisis.

As an ordained clergywoman, Dr. Silas-Chandler also serves as the Pastor of Trinity Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, the only African American Presbyterian congregation in the region. Through this role, she bridges her faith with her advocacy, embodying what it means to serve both soul and society.

A woman of vision and purpose, she is also the Founder of MJS Productions, LLC, where she has written and produced choreopoems and curated conferences that uplift women and emerging leaders. She has hosted cultural icons such as Sheryl Lee Ralph, Angela Davis, and Cynthia Bailey—using art, dialogue, and collective space as vehicles for empowerment and healing.

Her contributions have earned numerous honors, including the Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Rochester, the Women of Excellence Award from the Rochester Business Journal, and Black History Month recognition by the City of Rochester as an impactful community member and employer.

But above all, Dr. Silas-Chandler cherishes her most sacred roles: being a wife to her loving husband Rodney, a mother to their amazing daughter Nyah Anita, and a sister and friend to those who walk closely beside her.

Gold Cords: Graduates who earned a GPA of 3.5 and candidates for May graduation who entered the spring 2025 semester with an overall GPA of 3.449 are wearing gold cords. They are recognized in the program with an asterisk (*) as graduating with distinction.

Red, White and Blue Honor Cords: Veterans and current members of the armed forces wear these cords in recognition of their faithful service to our country.

Green Cords: MCC Foundation Scholarship recipients are recognized with this color.

Lilac Cords: These cords are worn by students who were leaders in student government, clubs and organizations, who created social, educational, and cultural activities on campus.

In 1961, Monroe Community College was established as a unit of the State University of New York (SUNY) and officially opened for students in September 1962. Two years later, the College celebrated its first commencement with 82 students receiving associate degrees. MCC is now one of 30 community colleges in New York State.

Through the years, the college has expanded from one building at the former East High School on Alexander Street in the City of Rochester to two main physical campuses, one in Brighton on East Henrietta Road and the Downtown Campus on State Street in Rochester, which houses the Finger Lakes Workforce Development (FWD) Center. In addition to these campuses, MCC has a Virtual Campus, one of the top online providers in the SUNY system. MCC also has two training centers, the Public Safety Training Facility on Scottsville Road and the newly named Advanced Technology Center (previously the Applied Technologies Center), currently on West Henrietta Road. In 2026, it will move into a new state-of-the-art facility on the Brighton Campus.

In 2023, MCC became the only college in New York State to join the Unlocking Opportunity: The Post-Graduation Success and Equity Network—a national initiative that includes just 10 community colleges across the United States. The network, in collaboration with The Aspen Institute and Columbia Universityʼs Community College Research Center, focuses on expanding educational and career opportunities for all students.

Dr. DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna is the sixth MCC President and the first person of color to hold the position. Since her tenure began in 2021, she has spearheaded efforts to catalyze bright futures for the community and its people through innovative partnerships, programs, and initiatives.

MCC officially began welcoming students in 1962 at a campus on Alexander Street in the city of Rochester. In 1968, the Brighton Campus opened on land Monroe County provided, which was previously a dairy farm.

In 1992, MCCʼs Damon City Campus opened. Twenty-five years later, the College established a permanent Downtown Campus at 321 State Street in the cityʼs High Falls District. The Finger Lakes Workforce Development (FWD) Center within the Downtown Campus opened in 2022 to prepare current and future workers for in-demand, technology-oriented careers focused on emerging smart technologies and Industry 4.0 skills.

Operated in partnership with regional workforce organizations, industry associations, and educational institutions, the regional FWD Center offers short-term and accelerated training and education.

In 1997, MCC opened its Applied Technologies Center, which was renamed in 2025 as the Advanced Technology Center. A new state-of-the-art location for the ATC is currently being built on the Brighton campus and is scheduled to open to students in the fall of 2026. It will house training programs for in-demand fields, including optics, automotive technology, precision tooling, HVAC service, and diesel mechanics. In addition, the center will feature a new solar lab to prepare students for roles in the renewable energy sector.

MCCʼs Public Safety Training Facility opened in 1974 on Scottsville Road. In partnership with public safety departments throughout the county, MCC provides training for police, fire, and emergency medical services personnel in a state-of-the-art emergency- training complex.

Through MCCʼs Virtual Campus, dedicated professors specially trained in online instruction became a critical asset to students who began or completed their studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. MCC is one of the top online providers in the SUNY system.

Through access to affordable academic programs, MCC leads excellence and innovation in higher education, inspires diverse students to transform their lives and communities, drives regional economic development, and builds global engagement and understanding.

The success of MCC graduates continually affirms the Collegeʼs academic excellence. Over the years, the community has received other external affirmation of MCCʼs excellence. In 1986, MCC was selected for membership in the League for Innovation in the Community College. MCC is one of 19 colleges that serve as the organizationʼs board of directors.

Most recently, MCC is among ten U.S. community colleges—and only one in New York state—selected to participate in the Unlocking Opportunity: The Post-Graduation Success and Equity Network in collaboration with The Aspen Institute and Columbia Universityʼs Community College Research Center. The 2023-2028 initiative focuses on expanding educational and career opportunities for all students.

Monroe Community College graduates have provided a tremendous workforce for Monroe County and surrounding areas. An impressive number of technicians, health care professionals, police officers, firefighters, teachers, engineers, accountants, and business executives obtained their initial career preparation at MCC.

MCC graduates receive academic scholarships for baccalaureate study. The transfer success of MCC graduates is noteworthy. It is anticipated that the graduating class of 2025 will maintain the same high tradition of career employment and continued academic success.

Of the career program graduates employed full time, 87.5% will find employment locally. Over 69 employers will hire these graduates.

• After graduation, 98% of graduates will be employed or will continue their education within a year (WHTCO 2023).
• Graduates will transfer to over 70 different colleges and universities (WHTCO 2023).
• Of our graduating transfer students, 72% will be enrolled in units of the State University of New York, and 19% will attend either a private four-year college within New York or transfer to an out-of state college/university.

The Monroe Community College Foundation—a 501(C)(3), nonprofit corporation—seeks philanthropic investment to advance academic achievement, innovation, and the mission of excellence at the College. The Foundation provides scholarship assistance, faculty enrichment programs, funding for educational equipment, and seed money for innovative programs. Through its partnership with the MCC Foundation, MCC is able to sustain high standards of excellence, pursue innovative ideas, and respond to opportunities in our community that engage and advance the mission of the College.

Each year, the MCC Foundation selects four outstanding MCC alumni to be inducted into the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame at the annual Salute to Excellence dinner. Past inductees ofthe MCC Alumni Hall of Fame include CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., Timothy Wentworth ʼ80; President and CEO of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Robert J. Duffy ʼ75/ʼ88; Olympic gold medalist Cathy Turner ʼ84; recording artist Lou Gramm ʼ71; Sheriff Todd K. Baxter ʼ10; professional golfer Jeff Sluman ʼ77; and many others who have achieved remarkable success in their business and personal pursuits.

Someday, we hope to celebrate your success and include your name on this distinguished roster!

The MCC Foundation celebrates the achievements of the Monroe Community College Class of 2025.

Members of the MCC Foundationʼs Alumni Committee are pleased to present each new graduate with a special alumni honors ribbon. At the end of this month, we will mail you a one-year complimentary Associates Level alumni benefits card.

For more information on the benefits and services available to MCC graduates and their families, please contact the MCC Foundation at 585.685.6020.

The College and the MCC Foundation are deeply grateful for your first class gift which will help future MCC students achieve their dreams. Contributing to the 2025 class gift by writing a dedication is a great way to start a lifetime of giving that ensures the success of future graduates. Your class gift symbolizes your appreciation for the education, experience, and opportunities you were encouraged to pursue at MCC. Your willingness, and that of your family and friends, to give back to MCC by writing a dedication is appreciated and cherished. Thank you, Class of 2025, for your extraordinary gift. We hope to hear from you again soon.

James Brown and Ben Leyer, Interpreters, Sign Language Connection

Provided by Island Photography

The Student Association has arranged for candidates to be photographed as they cross the stage for individual recognition by professional photographers.

Special sections with an MCC backdrop for individual photography have been arranged in the main lobby of the arena. It is requested that you move quickly in and out of these areas so that all may be accommodated in an orderly fashion.

• Ryan Messenger, Co-chair
• Eric Wheeler, Co-chair
• Alisa Camp, Committee Support