Sinclair Community College graduates record number of students, including its first four bachelor’s degree recipients

This year, Sinclair Community College has graduated its largest class ever, including students who earned certifications, associate degrees, and even the first four students in all of Ohio to receive BS degrees from a community college. Sinclair reports that the over 6,300 degrees and certificates awarded mark a 24% increase from the previous year and a 75% increase over the last 10 years, according to this news release. Demographically, percentage increases are even higher for African American students as well as for women.

Some of the statistics published by Sinclair include over 700 degrees and certificates earned by male African American students, up 55% from last year and 342% over the previous 10 years. Other notable increases include associate degrees awarded to women, up 3% in the past year and 9% over 10 years, with gains also being made among African American women, increasing degree completion by 1% this year and 15% over a ten-year period.

Sinclair Community College President Dr. Steve Johnson emphasized the additional struggles overcome in the past year. "These tremendous accomplishments were achieved during a global health crisis that presented enormous challenges, but our students, faculty, and staff worked incredibly hard to overcome those hurdles and achieve success," Johnson noted, adding, "Sinclair remains committed to providing high-quality, affordable, and flexible education for our students to complete their degrees with the skills and training they need for in-demand careers that are aligned with the needs of the region's employers."

In a separate news release, Sinclair announced that the first four bachelor degree recipients graduated as well, the first in the state to earn their BS from a community college. Sinclair Community College began offering two bachelor degree programs in 2019 for Bachelor of Applied Science – Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Bachelor of Applied Science – Aviation Technology/Professional Pilot. Two students from each program are among the 2021 graduates.

One of the students, Mugisha Kamana of Kigali, Rwanda, enrolled at Sinclair when he was 17, dreaming of becoming a pilot. Mugisha said of his experience, "I believed Sinclair could get me where I wanted to go. First of all, it’s affordable and the Aviation Department looks at everything. They look at your progress. I think Sinclair is a good school to pursue an aviation career. When Sinclair got approved that I could finish my bachelor's degree, it was my dream come true. It's a success to Sinclair, but it's a big success to me as well. Getting my bachelor's and being able to move on. I'm pretty proud and happy about it."

Fellow graduate Preston Moore earned his degree through the Unmanned Aerial Systems program. Moore emphasized the practical aspects of the program, saying, "Sinclair's UAS bachelor's degree program is very hands-on so instead of just studying and trying to find it out for yourself, you are in the lab working on designing, 3-D printing, building, manufacturing, and fixing broken vehicles. Just a plethora of hands-on learning to better prepare you for a career in Unmanned Aerial Systems. Sinclair is affordable and has a very good open schedule for students like me who are balancing family and work. The professors will work with you if you have a tight schedule and that is very accommodating. They really take care of you."

Moore also said that he has already put some of these skills to work in his work as a realtor, using UAS technology to showcase properties.