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AVON PARK, Fla. – Nov. 21, 2025 – South Florida State College (SFSC) celebrates its new graduates with a Commencement ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park.
The Commencement student speaker is Lacie M. Hershberger, who is graduating from SFSC with her Associate in Arts degree.
Guest speaker for the ceremony will be Kathryn Hebda. Chancellor Hebda currently serves as chancellor of the Florida College System at the Florida Department of Education, a position she has held since February 2019. As chancellor, she leads the Division of Florida Colleges in serving and providing support for the 28 state colleges that collectively serve over 670,000 students annually.
Chancellor Hebda’s career with the Department of Education began in 1992 with teacher certification and has included leadership roles in the Division of Public Schools, as well as serving as chief of staff prior to becoming chancellor. Her experience across educational sectors has always focused on increasing success for all students through continuous improvement in teaching and learning.
Chancellor Hebda holds a master’s degree in Music Education from Florida State University and a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Newberry College in South Carolina.
Approximately 349 students will have met the SFSC requirements by fall Commencement. Of these, 10 will receive their Bachelor of Science in Supervision and Management (BAS-SM), nine will receive their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 97 will receive their Associate in Arts, 55 will receive their Associate in Science, 45 will receive their State of Florida High School Diploma, 38 will receive their College Credit Certificate (CCC), and 115 will receive Career Technical Certificates. Students participating in the Commencement ceremony will total 171.
Mace bearer and chief marshal for Commencement is Garrett Lee, and marshals are Marlene Cruz, Kelly Fairfield Dec, Tina Gottus, Courtney Green, Robert Hampton, Candy Jones, Michelle Macbeth, Tanna Markel, Micah Montague, Sofia Ochoa, Lena Phelps, and Andrew Polk.
The Commencement rehearsal will be held on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 9 a.m. at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts. The ceremony will be live-streamed with access through SFSC’s website at southflorida.edu.
