FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Pikes Peak State College to Celebrate Class of 2025 with Powerful Ceremony Honoring Student Success and Community Impact 

Colorado Springs, CO – Wednesday, May 7, 2025– On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) celebrates the Class of 2025 with its annual Commencement Ceremony, honoring the academic achievements, service, and aspirations of more than 2,400 students. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Broadmoor World Arena (3185 Venetucci Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906). Livestream details are available pikespeak.edu/commencement. 

Notable speakers at this year’s commencement include Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, Colorado Community College System Chancellor Joe Garcia, and student speaker Ku’uleilani Han—a dual-enrollment student graduating from Odyssey Early College and Career Options.  

Among the 2,400 students who applied for graduation during the 2024–2025 academic year*, more than 48% identify as first-generation college students, 41% are from minority backgrounds, 24% are Hispanic/Latino, and 13% are military-affiliated. Applicants range in age from 16 to 78, showcasing the college’s dedication to accessible education at every stage of life. PPSC expects to award 3,178 credentials this year, including 1,867 associate degrees, 91 bachelor’s degrees, and 1,220 certificates.  

“Our commencement is about honoring our students’ academic achievements, determination and resilience,” says PPSC President, Dr. Lance Bolton. “Our graduates are not only changing their own lives and the trajectory of their families but also strengthening the workforce and the future of the Pikes Peak region.” 

This year’s celebration will feature powerful reflections on community, culture, and perseverance, including a Native American blessing presented by the Héská Makočé TyospayeNative American Church of Colorado and the reading of PPSC’s Land Acknowledgement Statement. The college’s continued efforts to foster inclusivity are further marked by its official recognition of Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) designation, a milestone aligned with the diversity of its graduating class. 

Pikes Peak State College invites the press and public to join in honoring this year’s graduates—a class defined by resilience, hope, and determination. 

About Pikes Peak State College 
Established in 1968 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Pikes Peak offers associate degrees, certificates in career and technical fields, and a growing number of bachelor’s degrees. With four campuses, various off-campus locations, two military education centers, and hundreds of online classes, PPSC provides quality, affordable, and flexible education to more than 17,000 students annually.