Sinclair Community College to Celebrate and Recognize Graduates at 2024 Commencement Ceremony

Sinclair Community College will hold its 2024 Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 3rd beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the University of Dayton Arena. This year's ceremony holds particular significance as Sinclair sees significant growth in graduates earning degrees for careers offering living wages.

“Equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need to secure rewarding careers that support their well-being directly aligns with Sinclair’s mission to find the need and endeavor to meet it,” said Dr. Steven Johnson, President of Sinclair Community College. “Sinclair is deeply committed to empowering all individuals and families to achieve economic stability and prosperity through high quality, affordable education that leads to high demand careers or seamless transfer to a bachelor’s degree program.” 

In 2024, Sinclair achieved exceptional growth in students earning degrees that translate to living-wage careers:

• Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degrees (100% increase over 2023)
• Aviation Technology Degrees (95% increase over 2023)
  • 6 Bachelor’s Degree Graduates in 2024
    • 1 – Bachelor of Applied Science – Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) 
  • 5 – Bachelor of Applied Science – Aviation Technology/Professional Pilot
• Business Management Degrees (49% increase over 2023)
• Cyber Investigation Technology Degrees (44% increase over 2023)
• HVAC-R Technology Degrees (40% increase over 2023)
• Automation & Control Technology Degrees (33% increase over 2023)
• Marketing & Management Degrees (26% increase over 2023)
• Computer Information Systems/Software Development Degrees 
• (23% increase over 2023)
• Dental Hygiene Degrees (21% increase over 2023)
• Surgical Technology Degrees (16% increase over 2023)
• Design Degrees (11% increase over 2023)
• Nursing Degrees (7% increase over 2023)

A living wage signifies the hourly or annual income needed for individuals and families to afford basic necessities like housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and education without financial strain. In 2023, the combined household living wage (2 adults, no children) for Montgomery County was $20.82 per hour or $43,315 annually, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

Additional 2024 Sinclair Commencement Highlights:

• 8,400 degrees and certificates 
• 1,585 – Record number of first-generation students, the first in their family to attend college, earning Sinclair degrees and certificates (12% increase over 2023)
• 118 – Record number of international students earning Sinclair degrees and certificates (31% increase over 2023)
• 72 – Students earning associate degrees while still in high school through Sinclair’s College Credit Plus (CCP) Program
• 15 – Age of Sinclair’s youngest 2024 graduate
• 71 – Age of Sinclair’s oldest 2024 graduate

Sinclair Community College offers more than 300 degree and certificate programs, including specialized and technical areas of study that are in high demand in the Dayton region. Sinclair is recognized as a local and national leader in delivering high-quality and affordable higher education. In 2023, Sinclair Community College was named the top college in the country for sustained and persistent student success when it received the esteemed Leah Meyer Austin Award from Achieving the Dream.

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