Today, Northeast State celebrated the fall 2025 graduating class, awarding 633 degrees and certificates to 522 students.
The college awarded two academic certificates, 154 technical certificates, 192 Associate of Applied Science degrees, nine Associate of Arts degrees, six Associate of Science in Teaching degrees and 270 Associate of Science degrees.
A total of 59 students graduated cum laude (grade-point average 3.50–3.74), 42 magna cum laude (3.75–3.89) and 46 summa cum laude (3.89–4.0).
“The mission of a community college is to make an impact on the communities that we serve. Graduates, we can only make that impact as a college as you do as an individual,” Northeast State President Jeff McCord said. “Be proud of what you have accomplished and where you got your start, but don’t settle. Go out into your community, the region and the world and make something good happen. Congratulations, we’re cheering for you and can’t wait to see what you do.”
Graduating students Kayla N. Reece, Haley L. Owen, Caleb Owens and Emma R. Russo served as commencement speakers.
Reece is from Kingsport and majored in business administration; Owen is from Johnson City and majored in cyber defense and networking; Owens is from Mountain City and majored in pre-nursing; and Russo is from Bristol and majored in criminal justice.
Haley Owen’s path to graduation was marked by long hours and juggling work, school and family life. While earning two Associate of Science degrees, she worked 30 hours a week and cared for her 3‑year‑old daughter. Speaking to her classmates, she reflected on the challenges behind her achievement and encouraged others to keep pushing forward in their own journeys.
“If there’s one thing I want everyone to take from my story, it’s this: you don’t have to have a perfect life to build a better one. You just have to keep going. Even if it’s slow. Even if it’s messy. Even if you’re exhausted. Every chapter you finish brings you closer to the person you’re becoming,” Owen said. “As we move forward into whatever comes next — new jobs, more schooling, new adventures — I hope we all remember the strength it took to get here. Because if we could do this, we can do anything.”
Northeast State President Jeff McCord awards fall 2025 commencement speaker Haley Owen with degrees in cyber defense and networking.
Today, Northeast State celebrated the fall 2025 graduating class, awarding 633 degrees and certificates to 522 students.
The college awarded two academic certificates, 154 technical certificates, 192 Associate of Applied Science degrees, nine Associate of Arts degrees, six Associate of Science in Teaching degrees and 270 Associate of Science degrees.
A total of 59 students graduated cum laude (grade-point average 3.50–3.74), 42 magna cum laude (3.75–3.89) and 46 summa cum laude (3.89–4.0).
“The mission of a community college is to make an impact on the communities that we serve. Graduates, we can only make that impact as a college as you do as an individual,” Northeast State President Jeff McCord said. “Be proud of what you have accomplished and where you got your start, but don’t settle. Go out into your community, the region and the world and make something good happen. Congratulations, we’re cheering for you and can’t wait to see what you do.”
Graduating students Kayla N. Reece, Haley L. Owen, Caleb Owens and Emma R. Russo served as commencement speakers.
Reece is from Kingsport and majored in business administration; Owen is from Johnson City and majored in cyber defense and networking; Owens is from Mountain City and majored in pre-nursing; and Russo is from Bristol and majored in criminal justice.
Haley Owen’s path to graduation was marked by long hours and juggling work, school and family life. While earning two Associate of Science degrees, she worked 30 hours a week and cared for her 3‑year‑old daughter. Speaking to her classmates, she reflected on the challenges behind her achievement and encouraged others to keep pushing forward in their own journeys.
“If there’s one thing I want everyone to take from my story, it’s this: you don’t have to have a perfect life to build a better one. You just have to keep going. Even if it’s slow. Even if it’s messy. Even if you’re exhausted. Every chapter you finish brings you closer to the person you’re becoming,” Owen said. “As we move forward into whatever comes next — new jobs, more schooling, new adventures — I hope we all remember the strength it took to get here. Because if we could do this, we can do anything.”
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