Over 1,000 SPC Grads to Walk the Stage at SPC’s 147th Commencement Ceremony

St. Petersburg College (SPC) will celebrate the achievements and resilience of more than 1,000 graduates during its 147th Commencement, taking place across two evenings, May 12 and 13, at The BayCare Sound, Coachman Park, 255 Drew St., Clearwater. Ceremonies will begin at 6:30 p.m. and are expected to last approximately 90 minutes. Graduates from SPC’s high school programs will attend the May 12 event.

The College will confer degrees and certificates to 1,790 graduates, many earning multiple credentials. Among them are 450 students who will be the first in their families to graduate with a college degree.

The ceremonies will be livestreamed on SPC’s official YouTube channel for family and friends unable to attend in person.

SPC offers more than 200 degrees, certificates and transfer programs, along with many workforce certifications designed to align with today’s evolving job market. As a key driver of economic mobility and workforce development in the Tampa Bay region, SPC contributed $3.2 billion to the regional economy during the 2022–23 fiscal year, an impact equivalent to hosting the Super Bowl eight times. The College supports more than 35,000 jobs through operational spending, student success, and alumni impact, helping graduates boost their earning potential and empowering communities through education.

St. Petersburg Collegiate STEM High School Celebrates First Graduating Class

Summary of Milestones and Achievements:

• Dual Achievement: All 21 graduates earned both their high school diploma and Associate in Science (A.S.) degree simultaneously.
• Triple Credential Success: 17 of the 21 graduates earned their high school diploma, A.S. degree and Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree.
• Academic Excellence: Every graduate maintained a GPA above 3.0 in both high school and college coursework.
• College Acceptances: Graduates have been accepted to top-tier universities:
  • University of Florida (UF)
  • Florida State University (FSU)
  • University of Tampa (UT)
  • University of South Florida (USF)
  • University of San Francisco
  • Auburn University
  • Florida Polytechnic University (FL Poly)
  • University of Central Florida (UCF)
  • Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
  • Stetson University
  • Rollins College
  • St. Thomas University
  • Indiana University Bloomington
  • SPC

Standout Students:

• Cecelia Allen, class valedictorian, came to the program as a 10th-grade student. She has demonstrated unwavering dedication and perseverance throughout her academic journey, consistently striving for excellence in every endeavor. As the valedictorian, she has shown remarkable leadership skills, often taking the initiative to guide and motivate her classmates. She will be attending UF.
• Paousman Joof came to the school in his junior year and demonstrated remarkable adaptability by adjusting to our program guidelines. He embraced the new requirements with resilience and a positive attitude, ensuring he met all expectations while maintaining his academic excellence. He will also be attending UF.

“This achievement is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the supportive community that has nurtured their growth. Knowing that our scholars are moving on to these universities is incredibly exciting and fills us with pride,” said Principal Raquel Hairston.

SPC’s first Promise Scholarship recipients graduate

This spring, St. Petersburg College celebrates the graduation of its inaugural class of SPC Promise Scholarship recipients. These 21 students, who began their academic journeys in 2023 with the assurance of a tuition-free education, are now prepared to enter the workforce or continue their studies, free from the burden of student loan debt.

Created to increase access to higher education for students from Pinellas County’s most underserved communities, the Promise Scholarship covers tuition and fees for associate degrees and eligible certificate programs after other financial aid is applied. Since its launch, the program has supported more than 1,200 students in pursuing their academic goals.

SPC remains committed to growing this initiative and helping more students succeed, but continued community support and funding are critical. The College is actively seeking donations to ensure the Promise Scholarship can remain available for future generations of students.

2025 Alumni Achievement Award

The college will present Stella Robinson with its prestigious Alumni Achievement Award, the highest honor given to a graduate earning a bachelor’s degree.

Since enrolling at SPC in 2018, Robinson has demonstrated exceptional academic and personal achievement. She is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, having researched Vibrio species, plankton, and tau protein. Her work earned third place in the Health Sciences category at the National Collegiate Honors Conference, where she represented SPC on a national stage.

Robinson also co-founded the Semi-Circle STEM Club and was a leader in the Women in STEM club, highlighting her commitment to science and service.

This fall, she will begin a Ph.D. in Integrated Biomedical Sciences – Cancer Biology at the University of Notre Dame. Robinson credits her SPC mentors, family, friends, and her beloved Mimi for their support and inspiration throughout her journey.

Graduate Spotlight: Andrew Disanti Honors Late Father Through Nursing Journey

Andrew Disanti, graduating with an associate degree in Nursing, discovered the College’s program while working at BayCare. The College’s Earn As You Learn program, which covers tuition in exchange for a post-graduation work commitment, allowed him to take the opportunity to further his education.

Disanti’s time at SPC was shaped by a personal tragedy. On his first day of nursing school, his father was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon and melanoma cancer and passed away shortly after his second semester. The experience not only strengthened his resolve to complete the program in his father’s honor but also inspired his career goal: to work in an oncology outpatient clinic.

“SPC allowed me to fulfill my dream of becoming a nurse,” said Disanti. “If you want to be a nurse and don’t know where to start, SPC is the place to achieve that goal.”

Following graduation, Disanti will fulfill his BayCare work commitment at Mease Countryside Hospital, with plans to eventually join the same cancer clinic that treated his father.