Allan Hancock College celebrated the achievements of its noncredit students at its annual Noncredit Recognition Ceremony, May 1 at the college’s Santa Maria campus.
The celebration, held in Boyd Concert Hall, highlighted the perseverance and accomplishments of students who completed noncredit certificate programs, including family childcare license preparation, commercial truck driving and income tax preparation.
The ceremony also recognized students who completed English Language Development (ELDN) courses, earned their GED Equivalency Certificate, or achieved U.S. citizenship through the college’s noncredit offerings.
More than 426 certificates were completed in noncredit programs at Hancock during the 2025-26 academic year.
“Noncredit programs are essential to ensuring that education remains accessible to everyone in our community,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers. “These students are a powerful example of what can be achieved when opportunity meets determination.”
At the event, Walthers welcomed attendees in Spanish, highlighting the ceremony’s inclusive spirit.
The fully bilingual program reflected the college’s commitment to accessibility and service to its diverse community, as more than 400 guests attended the event across the concert hall and overflow viewing areas.
The ceremony featured remarks from faculty speaker Lilia Wambolt, who recognized the dedication of students balancing multiple responsibilities while continuing their education.
“Many of our students balance work, family, and personal challenges, yet they continue to move forward,” Wambolt said. “That determination is not only admirable but also inspiring.”
Student speaker Fabiola Oregel Martinez shared her personal journey of learning English and returning to school, encouraging her peers to persevere.
“Like many of you, I came to this country without speaking English,” Oregel Martinez said. “We all move at different speeds, but the most important thing is to keep going and reach our goals.”
The ceremony included a keynote address by Jaime Cuello, a poet and author and teacher at Kermit McKenzie Intermediate School in Guadalupe, as well as the presentation of certificates to students across a variety of noncredit program areas.
The event was organized by Hancock’s Community Education, Noncredit Counseling, and Admissions & Records departments.
AHC Community Education offers tuition-free noncredit courses that help community members gain skills, prepare for employment and transition to credit programs or the workforce. Program areas include adult basic education, citizenship, GED preparation, English language development and career development.
For more about Allan Hancock College Community Education, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/communityed or call 1-805-347-7553.