2024 ceremony included inaugural cybersecurity certificate program graduates
View photos from the 2024 Commencement ceremony.

NEW YORK, N.Y. (July 2, 2024) – On Tuesday, June 18, Stella and Charles Guttman Community College President Larry Johnson presided over the College’s 11th annual Commencement ceremony, which took place across the street from the College on the Bryant Park Lawn and was also livestreamed via YouTube. The College, part of the City University of New York (CUNY), awarded degrees to approximately 175 graduates from six associate-degree programs — including Business Administration, Human Services, Information Technology, Liberal Arts, Science and Urban Studies — as well as the cybersecurity certificate program.
“Guttman’s 2024 Commencement was a culmination of the incredible success our students have worked so hard to achieve. The ceremony marked the College’s 11th graduation year, and I was proud to honor this group of diverse and talented graduates, including our first cohort of Cybersecurity graduates. Whether they plan to transfer to a four-year institution or enter the workforce, I have no doubt they will go on to accomplish greatness and make an impact on New York City and society as a whole,” said Dr. Johnson. “I would also like to recognize our passionate, dedicated faculty and staff, who work to provide an exceptional education and meaningful support services to ensure our students stay on the path to graduation.”
The College saw its first cohort of 17 cybersecurity certificate program graduates. The College’s Career Innovation Hub launched the undergraduate program in Fall 2023 in collaboration with the Henry Street Settlement. In response to industry demand, the cybersecurity program has opened new educational pathways for more New Yorkers in a flexible, hybrid format.
Lisa Bova-Hiatt, chief executive officer of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), was the keynote speaker. With ties to CUNY, she previously served as executive university counsel for the University and is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School. During her speech, she inspired graduates to improve the world by “tackling some of the challenges and inequities confronting our society.”

Honored guest speakers included CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, who spoke of the importance of public institutions in that they provide opportunities for New Yorkers that improve their quality of life, and he gave special acknowledgement to the many graduates who were the first in their families to earn a degree. John Verzani represented the CUNY Board of Trustees and commended graduates for the strength and resilience they’ve showcased in earning their degrees. President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Lynn Tincher-Ladner shared congratulatory remarks.
Student representatives included Class Speaker Alexander Atack, who discussed the challenges he faced in high school and how Guttman eased the transition, providing him with a sense of belonging and support. Outgoing Student Government Association President Samantha Ruiz-Correa inspired graduates to take the skills they have learned at Guttman to empower their communities.
Chun Yin Chu and Lixuan Cao were honored as Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.
Dr. Lori Ungemah, professor of interdisciplinary studies, served as the ceremony’s grand marshal. Candidates for degrees were presented by Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Nicola Blake, and degrees were conferred by Dr. Johnson. Dr. Karen G. Williams, assistant professor of anthropology, was faculty speaker. Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Dr. Danny Ambrose was the ceremony’s emcee.
Stella and Charles Guttman Community College was CUNY’s first new community college in more than forty years. Reimagining what community college could be, Guttman opened its doors in Manhattan in August 2012 to create a research-based, innovative model focused on moving students efficiently toward graduation. Offering associate degree programs in a nurturing environment, the College’s three-year graduation rate consistently surpasses the national average, and most graduates transfer to senior colleges. Guttman is federally designated as a Hispanic-serving institution and minority-serving institution with more than 85% of the student population identifying as Latine or Black/African American. The College was named the best community college in America in 2020 and the top community college in New York State for 2020, 2021 and 2022 by Niche.com and other ranking agencies.