The first lady of the U.S., Dr. Jill Biden, will deliver remarks as a special guest speaker at Mesa Community College’s commencement ceremony on May 11.

As a classroom teacher for more than 30 years, Biden is a long-time advocate for higher education, particularly community colleges, according to a release.

While serving as first lady, she has continued teaching English and writing at Northern Virginia Community College, where she has been a professor since 2009.

The commencement address follows Biden’s February 2023 visit to MCC where she highlighted affordable community college programs like Mesa College Promise.

More than 540 students will participate in the college’s 2023-24 graduation ceremony at Desert Financial Arena at Arizona State University, 600 E. Veterans Way in Tempe.

Interim President Dr. Kimberly Britt will celebrate the accomplishments of more than 2,500 students who successfully met academic requirements to earn certificates of completion and associate degrees during the 2023-24 academic year.

“We are very honored that Dr. Biden will join us to celebrate this important day for our graduates and for the college,” Britt said in the release. “Dr. Biden last visited the Southern and Dobson Campus in February 2023 with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Mesa Mayor John Giles to emphasize the affordability of community college programs like Mesa College Promise that offers career-connected learning opportunities that lead to well-paying jobs.”

While the event is open only to graduates and their invited guests, ceremonies will be live streamed at mesacc.edu/live beginning at 9 a.m. for those who wish to view the ceremony. Event details are available at mesacc.edu/graduation/event.

Themed “A Time to Remember and a Time to Celebrate,” the ceremony includes MCC student performances. Adara Knelange will sing the National Anthem and pre- and post-event entertainment will be provided by MCC Disc Jockey Techniques students.

Go to mesacc.edu.