Disability Support and Program Services hosted a pre-commencement graduation celebration for DSPS students at Gordon Quad on Thursday, May 8, 2025. 

In recognition of the graduating students, DSPS coordinator Darren Walters spoke about the importance of recognizing the accomplishments of students who struggle with disabilities.

“This is a truly special occasion, and we are thrilled to be here to honor the incredible achievements of our students,” Walters said. “Today we celebrate not just academic accomplishments, but the resilience, determination and perseverance that each of you has to demonstrate in your unique journeys.” 

The graduating class was fired up from the recognition of their success. Sociology major Karin Angel expressed excitement about commencement coming up in the next few weeks.

“Having the support of DSPS to help me ease the tension within myself allowed me to be the successful student that I am today,” Angel said. “I was able to achieve a 4.0 GPA last semester thanks to DSPS.”

DSPS has a diverse group of graduating students this semester. Among them is Kari Walden, age 83, who is majoring in English. 

“Graduating at the age of 83 has been a lifelong dream and it’s not easy going through school at this age,” Walden said. “I have faced hardships being diagnosed with autism and not getting along with fellow students. A group of young girls were very unkind to me and due to autism I have trouble processing and completing coursework.”

Coordinator Walters and faculty at City College have their students’ best interest in mind and want as many students to succeed as possible, especially students with unique challenges.

“I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the faculty and staff of the DSPS office for their unwavering support and dedication,” Walters said. “They’ve played a pivotal role in ensuring that each student here today has had the tools and resources to succeed, and their commitment to success is truly inspiring to the graduates.”

Returning City College alumni also attended to share their experience, strength and hope with the graduating DSPS class.

“There was a time when I had completely given up not just in school but in society living with an invincible disability,” City College alumni, Darien Watson said. 

“I felt unseen, unheard and unsupported. The education system had failed me time after time again, leaving scars of shame and self-doubt that ran deep. Eventually, I walked away from it all, convinced that there was no place for someone like me in a world that seemed that was built for others. But something inside of me, something small yet unbreakable, whispered that I could try one last time.” 

Graduating students expressed that the healing from past trauma comes over time and improved by sharing hardships with others.

“That’s when I met Carrie Crawford, my DSPS counselor,” Watson said. “She didn’t just guide me, she saw me. Carrie helped me reshape the way I viewed my challenges, not as barriers, but as a part of my strength. My tenacity doesn’t come from success or recognition. It comes from that deep place in my heart that still believes every human deserves a fair shot.” 

DSPS students will be walking with the rest of City College graduates at the commencement ceremony being held on Thursday, May 22 at the Balboa Park organ pavilion.

For more information on Disability Support Programs and Services at City click here.

This article was edited by Nadia Lavin and Danny Straus

Correction: This article has been updated to correct a misspelling in Karin Angel’s name. City Times regrets the error.