Each year, one student is selected through a competitive process to be the student commencement speaker. The role offers an opportunity for the student to share wisdom and insights to their peers and convey a message to the future.
Apply to be the Student Commencement Speaker
Do you have experiences from Bellevue College that would make you a good representative of the graduating class? Have you been involved with extracurricular activities and have a message you would like to share with the Bellevue College community? Students who can demonstrate their leadership skills and abilities and who can effectively convey educational and other relevant experience will have the strongest applications.
Apply to be the 2018 Student Commencement Speaker (link to come)
Previous Commencement Speakers
The Commencement ceremony at Bellevue College brings pride and a sense of accomplishment to graduates in front of their families, friends, faculty and staff. Student Programs is proud to have participated in the selection process of the following outstanding students as speakers for their respective graduatiing classes:
2017: Phillip Nguyen
Phillip Nguyen came to Bellevue College as an International Student from Vietnam to pursue requirements to become an Electrical Engineer. During his time here, he worked in the Student Programs Peer to Peer program, mentoring other students navigating college.
2016: Yazmeen Paredes 
Yazmeen was a Running Start student and a tutor in Math and English through the Academic Success Center. She then held the position of ASG Justice of External Affairs. During her time at Bellevue College she was a member of the Helping Hands club, which raised funds to support needy causes within the community.
2015: Melantha Jenkins 
Melantha Jenkins was the 2014 – 2015 Associated Student Government President, in addition to serving as the commencement speaker. Her journey as a single mother struggling with her grades to an active, successful student leader was an inspiration. She transferred to Howard University in Washington, D.C.
2014: Shoshana Moore
Shoshanna Moore was a non-traditional student, returning to school after being laid-off from her job. Through worker retraining, she excelled in school despite her doubt, earning her Associate’s Degree and a place in the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Shoshanna thrived when she had the opportunity to write; she was hired by the Writing Lab, published a non-fiction piece in the campus literary journal The Belletrist, and aided in the writing of position papers for the Model United Nations program.
2013: Safae Zniber
Safae Zniber was the first commencement speaker to be a Bachelor’s candidate. Safae was an international student from Morocco, earning her Bachelor of Applied Arts in Interior Design over four years while working in the Office of Student Programs, remaining active in clubs and programs like the Black Student Union and El Centro Latino.
2012: Anh Nguyen
Anh Nguyen was an international student from Vietnam. She was a business major who transferred to the University of Washington Foster School of Business. While a student at Bellevue College, Anh worked at the PALS Center and was very involved in Student Programs Leadership Institute activities.
Last Updated March 8, 2021
