This email was sent to students who are registered for spring 2025
June 23, 2025
Introducing This Year's Graduation Award Recipients
Dear Student,
We’re proud to announce three winners of major graduation awards – the President’s Awards and DeHart Scholarship – who will be honored at the collegewide commencement ceremony this Sunday, June 29.
Each of these outstanding students represent the best of De Anza, demonstrated through their hard work, perseverance, service and achievements. You can read about them here, and find some tips for the big day below.
Jennifer Mejia Llamas: President's Award
Jennifer Mejia Llamas is transferring to UCLA this fall with two associate degrees under her belt and a long-term goal of getting a master’s degree in public policy.
A first-generation college student, she wants to work in local government and help address community needs like affordable housing. “I always had these passions to address social issues,” she said, “but I didn’t realize what I could do with them.”
Kathryn Cooke: President's Award
Kathryn Cooke wasn’t always interested in cars, but she likes doing puzzles, solving problems and figuring out how things work.
The 36-year-old military veteran and single mom is graduating with an associate degree in Automotive Technology and has been accepted into De Anza’s new bachelor’s degree program in Automotive Technology Management – designed for students who want to advance into management of an automotive business.
Kimberly Weber: DeHart Scholarship
Kimberly Weber was kind of shy when she came to De Anza three years ago. But she said she learned to “break out of my bubble” by joining clubs, making friends and talking with her instructors.
This year’s DeHart Scholarship recipient made her mark at De Anza, where she helped lead the Zero Waste environmental club and spent countless hours doing restoration work in the Cheeseman Environmental Studies Area (ESA). After graduating with an associate degree for transfer in Mathematics, Weber is transferring to the University of California, Berkeley, where she plans to study biomedical engineering.
You'll find more stories, photos and details about this year's graduation celebration at deanza.edu/graduation.
Graduation Tips and Updates
De Anza's 58th annual commencement ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, in the Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara. Doors will open at 1 p.m.
If you're planning to graduate this year, please remember these deadlines:
- Send us your photo and message for the special Graduation Slideshow – no later than this Monday, June 23.
- Buy your cap and gown in person at the campus Bookstore by Thursday, June 26. (Not all sizes may be available. The deadline has passed to order online and have items shipped in time for graduation.)
- Free parking is available in the garage behind the convention center. Grads and their guests should plan to arrive early – the doors will open at 1 p.m. – to allow time to park and get ready.
- After the ceremony, you'll be able to take photos with fun props – including the college mascot, Roary the Mountain Lion.
- Find more information about how to get ready for the ceremony at deanza.edu/graduation/tips
Digital Congrats Cards
Everyone is welcome to submit digital Congrats Cards for your favorite grads – or the entire Class of 2025.
You can view these online now at deanza.edu/graduation/2025-congrats.
Disability Accommodations
Sign language interpreters will be present at the commencement celebration on June 29. For disability accommodations, please send an email to balduccilaureen@deanza.edu.
For general questions about graduation, send an email to communications@deanza.edu.
Commencement Livestream
In case you have family members or friends who can’t attend in person, the event will be livestreamed with captions, beginning at 3 p.m. at deanza.edu/graduation.