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June 9, 2025By Ellen Fisher, Assistant Director, CatholicU Tucson
On Saturday, June 7, students, families and faculty gathered for a meaningful celebration of The Catholic University of America Tucson’s second graduating class. The morning began with Mass, celebrated by our Apostolic Administrator, Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, followed by a brunch that brought together graduates, supporters and community members to mark this important milestone.
After Mass, guests were welcomed into the Azurite Room at Pima Community College’s Downtown Campus, where brunch was served alongside mariachi music and photo opportunities. The setting featured a painting of the Virgen de Guadalupe and a small white statue of Mary, mirroring the images of Our Lady from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., adjacent to Catholic University’s main campus. For many of the students, their commencement trip to D.C. just weeks earlier had been a highlight—an experience that brought the two campuses together in a powerful way.
As the Assistant Director of CatholicU Tucson, I opened the celebration by thanking Bishop Kicanas and recognizing the significance of the moment, among the remarks I shared:“We gather not just to mark the end of classes, but to celebrate the hard work and commitment these students have shown over the past several years.”
Keiran Roche, Assistant Dean, added his welcome, highlighting the community of support behind each graduate—including family members, instructors, alumni and donors.“This program is built on mentorship, collaboration and opportunity,” he said, “And it’s the people in this room who make that possible.”
Special recognition was given to the program’s supporters and scholarship partners, including Jim Click, Humberto S. Lopez, Ross McCallister, Jack Diehl, Trish and Dan McCabe and the McInerney family. Thanks to their generosity, nearly $300,000 in scholarship funds have been secured for Tucson students over the next four years.
This year’s graduating class includes nine students whose academic paths reflect a wide range of interests, strengths and aspirations:- David Alvarez joined the program through a connection at his parish and has been a consistent presence and quiet leader among his peers.
- Jade Carrasco impressed faculty with her focus and professionalism, earning a job offer immediately after presenting her senior capstone.
- Michael Inorio, the first male graduate of the Tucson program, overcame early challenges and returned to finish his degree while working full-time.
- Sophia Lo, the program’s first international student, took the most credits of any student in program history and earned strong reviews from her internship site.
- Zachary Lopez, a returning student, completed his degree with distinction and has shown a keen interest in technology and sports.
- Andrea Morones, who finished with the highest GPA across both Tucson and D.C. campuses, was praised for her initiative, leadership, and vision for the future.
- Kevin Rodriguez, a self-taught tech learner, stayed focused and quietly excelled, building computers and balancing academics with hands-on skills.
- Layla Rodriguez took a leap of faith joining the program during COVID and has since grown into a creative force with a growing online presence.
- Gloria Valadez, an adult learner and small business owner, began as a recruiter for the program before deciding to become a student herself.
The event closed with a series of fun recognitions—“superlative awards” chosen by staff members Natalie Morando and BreeAuna Glenn—to highlight the unique contributions of each graduate. From “Tech Resilience” to “Trailblazer” to “Most Likely to Reinvent the Rules,” the awards reflected the personal growth and impact these students made beyond their transcripts.
Valedictorian Andrea Morones offered final reflections on her journey and the value of believing in yourself, especially when the path isn’t always straightforward.
As guests lingered to take more photos and offer hugs and congratulations, it was clear that this group of students has made its mark—not just by earning degrees, but by building a community. Their next steps—into graduate school, new jobs, or continued service—are already underway.
The Tucson campus, now in its fifth year, continues to grow thanks to partnerships with local institutions like Pima Community College, community donors, and faculty committed to high-quality, flexible education. With each new graduating class, the vision of Catholic higher education in Southern Arizona becomes stronger—and the future a bit brighter.