GateWay Community College

Commencement Fit Check 🎓

Congratulations Class of 2026! We are so proud of you ✨ #GateWayGrad #ShineOn

Tonight, GateWay Community College, Rio Salado College, and Scottsdale Community College kick off three days of commencement celebrations across our 10 college system. This year, we’re honoring 18,000+ graduates. 🎓 To the grads: your late night study sessions, countless assignments, and years of academic persistence have brought you to this moment! Thanks for choosing us as your learning community.

Today’s the day, Geckos! 🎓 Before heading to Sloan Park, swipe through for important Commencement details. We will see you soon 💙

Meet featured graduate Lily Coronel ⚽🎓 During her time at GateWay, Lily balanced soccer, academics, and work while preparing for her future in healthcare. Next up: pursuing her psychology degree and working toward becoming a physician assistant. Read her full story at the link in our bio! #GateWayGrad #Classof2026 #Grad #Soccer

👋 Meet Temya Jackson, a Phoenix native graduating from GateWay Community College this week with her Associate of Science in Engineering. The highlight of Temya’s time at GateWay was serving on the Student Leadership Council, where she found community and helped plan campus-wide events. She also served as the Maricopa Community Colleges Student Governing Board Member, representing and advocating for students across the system. In addition to being a GateWay S-STEM Scholars, member of Phi Theta Kappa, and honors student, Temya participated in university-level research, which allowed her to attend out-of-state conferences and prepare for her next chapter. This summer, Temya plans to intern at Phillips Medisize as a full-time Quality Engineering Intern. Motivated by research’s potential to improve the lives of those facing health challenges, she will continue her education at Arizona State University, where she plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering. She is also one of 60 high-achieving community college students to receive the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Temya’s advice to future students: “Maximize your time and opportunities here. Don’t just go to class and go home. Although it may be hard at first, there are spaces that will be for you and can help you grow in your pursuit of education and career. Think, reflect, create.”

Earlier this month, GateWay Community College and Johnson Controls celebrated a partnership that goes beyond grant funding—it’s a full-circle investment in students, industry, and community. Thanks to scholarships and equipment provided by Johnson Controls, GateWay students gain access to hands on training, cutting-edge technology, and pathways to real-world careers. When community colleges and industry partners work together, Arizona’s workforce gains a stronger talent pipeline! Slide 2: [Video Description] Dr. Amy Diaz discusses the background and impact of GateWay's partnership with Johnson Controls. Slide 4: [Video Description] A representative explains zSpace's technology and how students are using it as they prepare to go into the field. Slide 6: [Video Description] Addist Bennett - a GateWay HVAC program alum and current Johnson Controls employee - discusses the impact the HVAC program and Johnson Controls had on his life.

The first RN to BSN graduates in GateWay history. 💙 As National Nurses Week comes to a close, we’re celebrating the nurses who are leading with compassion, resilience, and purpose. Congratulations to our inaugural RN to BSN cohort. #ShineOn #ThePowerOfNurses #Nurse #BSN

One week left, Geckos 🎓 Share your grad photos with us so we can celebrate your success 🎉 Tag @gatewaycc and @maricopacolleges in your posts!

Thinking about all the fun we had this year. Can’t believe Commencement is already next week. Shine on, Geckos!

For some, it starts to feel real. For others, it still feels unreal. For many, it’s a moment they weren’t sure would come. Either way, putting on the cap and gown for the first time hits different. We asked GateWay students what that moment feels like. 🎓 [Video Description] GateWay Community College students share what it feels like to put on their cap and gown for the first time, paired with clips of them taking graduation photos.

This commencement season, Maricopa Community Colleges is celebrating more than 18,400 degrees and certificates conferred across its 10 colleges, including approximately 350 bachelor’s degrees. 🎓 Whether continuing their education or entering Arizona’s workforce, the Class of 2026 is stepping into its next chapter prepared to make an impact on the communities they call home! To learn more, click the link in our bio.