For many UW Professional & Continuing Education graduates, UW Continuum College and the UW Alumni Association’s Grad Celebration in June was not simply a graduation ceremony. It marked the culmination of months of balancing work, family responsibilities and personal commitments while pursuing new skills and possibilities.
Over the past year, 1,252 students completed UW Professional & Continuing Education certificates across 51 programs, joining a growing community of lifelong learners and UW alumni. More than 274 graduates and guests attended this year's celebration to recognize those achievements and the dedication it took to reach this milestone.
Among them was Amber Gregory, whose career path has been anything but traditional. After studying fashion and working in property management, she found her way into real estate development. As her responsibilities grew, so did her desire to better understand the financial and business side of the industry.
To prepare for the next chapter of her career, Gregory enrolled in the UW Certificate in Commercial Real Estate program.
"The technical knowledge was incredibly valuable, but the confidence I gained may have been even more important," she says. "For the first time, I felt like I wasn't just learning my role but that I was developing a broader understanding of the entire business."
Today, Gregory works in business development for one of the nation's leading builders. Looking back, she sees returning to the classroom as an investment in herself, one that required determination, resilience and a willingness to embrace change.
Her experience reflects that of many of the learners celebrated this year. Beyond recognizing graduates' accomplishments, the evening highlighted the power of education to help people adapt, grow and pursue their ambitions in a rapidly changing world.
Vice provost Rovy Branon reflected on that theme in his remarks to graduates.
"Learning is a lifelong journey, and our enduring mission at Continuum College is to meet you wherever you are on your journey."
“As we gather this evening in celebration of your achievements, I want to acknowledge we are in a time of great transition in society," Branon says. "The economy and workforce are undergoing rapid change and even how we think about higher education is changing. But what isn't changing is the value of education that helps people realize their dreams."
Branon reminded graduates to take pride in their accomplishments and the effort required to reach this moment, encouraging them to stay connected to the UW community as they continue their learning journeys.
"As a graduate of a UW professional and continuing education program, you’re a part of the University of Washington community and the Continuum College community," Branon says. "Learning is a lifelong journey, and our enduring mission at Continuum College is to meet you wherever you are on your journey. There is always a place for you here."
That message resonated with Gregory, who knows firsthand what it takes to pursue education alongside the demands of everyday life.
"Continuing your education while balancing the chaos of families, day-to-day responsibilities and everything else life throws at you is not easy," Gregory says. "Choosing to invest in yourself when nobody is requiring you to do it takes courage."
For graduates, the celebration was a chance to reflect on how far they had come. It also served as a moment to recognize UWPCE’s outstanding instructors and advisory board members. Through their industry expertise, mentorship and dedication to teaching, they play a vital role in helping students build skills, gain confidence and achieve their personal and professional goals.
As the graduates joined the ranks of UW Professional & Continuing Education alumni and UWAA members, they weren't simply celebrating the completion of a program. They were marking the beginning of what comes next, equipped with new skills, new confidence and a renewed commitment to lifelong learning.