From-Aspiration-to-Achievement-RAISE-Graduates-Take-Flight.php

From Aspiration to Achievement: RAISE Graduates Take Flight

• Events
• 06/02/2025

Rock Valley College held the RAISE Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, May 22 in the Stenstrom Student Center Atrium. Families, friends, faculty, staff, and community members came together to celebrate and honor the graduates.

The RAISE program is focused on Raising Aspirations through an Inclusive Student Experience.

Ever since it started in 2010, the need to help others grow and develop skills continues to increase. The program takes one-year and two semesters to complete and features students within the age group of 18-22. RAISE is devoted to fostering social inclusion through interactive, peer-based learning activities while enhancing engagement, career readiness through work ethic development, college preparation, and lifelong independent living skills–empowering students to grow, advance, and thrive through education.

Lynn Shattuck, Disability Support Services Director, welcomed everyone to the graduation celebration, expressing excitement for the graduates. “I know they’re excited. I know they’ve worked very hard this semester, this year, to get to this point. We appreciate all the support of those of you who have been here behind them before we began our program.”

Lynn expressed her appreciation for Dr. Patrick Peyer, Vice President of Student Affairs, who was present to honor this important milestone and to present the graduates with their certificates. She acknowledged key participants in attendance including Stephanie Lacny, RAISE Instructor; David Schneider, Dean of Enrollment Services; Shamra Ashman, Administrative Assistant for Disability Support Services; and most notably, the RAISE student speaker, Jaiden Thompson.

Jaiden shared her student experience at RVC and opened up about her personal story behind her uniqueness that shaped her resilience and individuality. “We are all unique and born to stand out. It was pretty cool attending Rock Valley’s Campus and being in classes with everyone. This program connected me with students that I never would have crossed paths with before. For my entire life, I have been described by a medical diagnosis or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). As much as I understand that I do need some assistance, we all have something in common. We all just want to be loved and accepted.”

Jaiden’s story encouraged others to find their own strengths and unique abilities. As each graduate stood in line waiting to accept their certificate, they all embodied perseverance, growth, and impact. RAISE helps to create pathways for students to achieve life and career success through the development of educational, personal, and vocational skills while fostering personal growth and social engagement within the campus community. The celebration ended with proud smiles, supportive friends and family, and graduates stepping forward with courage, hope, and determination for their future.