Rockford Promise celebrates record number of graduates

This past weekend was a big one for Rockford Promise and its Scholars. Twenty-two Scholars completed either two-year or four-year degrees at Rock Valley College, Rockford University and Northern Illinois University.

The record number of graduates adds to the growing list of Rockford Promise success stories. Since Rockford Promise began investing in full two-year or four-year tuition scholarships:

* 50 Scholars have earned their associate’s degree from Rock Valley College.
* 6 have completed RVC certification programs.
* 8 have earned their bachelor’s degree from Rockford University.
* 3 have gone from RVC to earn bachelor’s degree at schools other than RU.

For many of this past weekend’s graduates, the ceremony was just a step in the educational process. Many of the RVC graduates are continuing on to earn their four-year degrees. Some of our Scholars are going directly to graduate school in the fall.

For some, this weekend was the final step before entering their chosen professions and several of those are utilizing their talents locally.

Here’s a look at our spring 2022 graduates!

Erica Stevia Inkale, a Rockford East graduate, was part of Rockford Promise’s first Rock Valley College cohort in 2016-2017. She graduated from RVC in 2019 and transferred to Northern Illinois University. She was one of two former Rockford Promise Scholars to graduate from NIU this May. She worked her way through NIU. Erica is a caseworker at Lifescape in Rockford and has future plans to get a Master’s degree in international business.

Emily Calgaro, an Auburn graduate, was a part of Rockford Promise’s 2018-2019 Rock Valley College cohort. Emily graduated from RVC in 2019 and transferred to Northern Illinois University where she earned her bachelor’s degree this May. Emily plans to work in Rockford as an EMT while saving up to enroll in medical school.

Maram Quhshi, an East graduate, is the first Scholar from the 2020-2021 Rockford University cohort to graduate. Maram zoomed through Rockford University in just two years. It’s just the beginning, though. This fall, she begins school at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy in Rockford.

Alyssa Giardono, Jefferson graduate, was one of two students from the 2018-2019 Rockford University cohort to graduate in May. He degree already is paying off. She was hired earlier in the year by OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center as a registered nurse.

Chanel Black, an Auburn graduate, stuck with college even though, as an arts student at Rockford University active in choir and theater, many of her performances were cancelled. She’s going to continue her performing career after Rockford University. She was cast this summer in two plays at a theater in Nebraska.

Kelvin Zaragoza, an East grad, was part of the 2017-2018 Rock Valley College cohort. Kelvin graduated from RVC in 2019 and transferred to Rockford University where he finished his bachelor’s degree in May. Kelvin plans on going to graduate school in the fall to study physical therapy.

Magdaleno Mendoza, a Jefferson graduate, was part of Rockford Promise’s second Rockford University in 2017-2018 and he joins the other in the cohort, Vanessa Peoples, as an RU graduate!