Graduation ceremonies at United Education Institute (UEI) and UEI College took on an extra layer of significance in 2024, which continues in 2025, as elected officials from across the country joined in celebrating the achievements of students. From members of Congress to state and local leaders, these distinguished guests delivered powerful messages of perseverance, ambition, and hope, inspiring graduates as they prepared to take the next step in their careers. At some ceremonies, officials presented graduates with certificates and letters of special recognition, including Congressional Certificates of Recognition.
“With campuses spanning multiple states, UEI has long been committed to providing hands-on career training and fostering student success,” said Lynn Mulherin, Vice President of Government Relations. “The presence of public officials at graduation underscores UEI’s role in workforce development and community progress. We are deeply grateful to all who took the time to join us for graduation ceremonies and to those who sent special recognition to the graduates.”
Speakers recognized the hard work and dedication of students, many of whom overcame significant challenges to complete their programs and reaffirmed the importance of skilled professionals in driving local economies forward, reiterating that UEI’s role in workforce development is vital to the community.
U.S. Congressman Josh Harder, speaking at the Stockton ceremony told graduates “This is the future, these are the folks who are going to be building and rebuilding Stockton! Thank you for all the work you’re going to do! All of the work you’ve been doing is not just to have that moment in the sun, but the work you’re going to be doing for decades to come to make sure that all of our lives are better off because of the education you have at UEI. Thank you to the faculty and administrators at UEI for making sure that folks are learning skills that we need in our community because let me tell you, everything you’ve been learning you’ll use tomorrow. We need it, so thank you and let’s get to work!” He also presented each graduate with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition.
U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman, speaking at the Reseda graduation, said “I am a strong proponent for making sure that vocational education is a full participant in all the student aid programs, especially student loans and the Pell Grant. Everyone deserves access to quality education.”
Rep. Sherman also presented UEI Reseda Executive Director Crystal Ramirez with a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol for an organizational recipient with outstanding service to the San Fernando Valley.
Numerous lawmakers provided UEI graduates with letters and certificates of recognition for graduates in 2024, including U.S. Senator Mark Kelly for Phoenix; U.S. Representative Jim Costa for Fresno; U.S. Representative David Scott for Morrow; U.S. Representative Debbie Lesko for Phoenix; California State Senator Angelique Ashby for Sacramento; California State Senator Shannon Grove for Bakersfield; California Assemblywoman Eloise Gomez-Reyes for Ontario; California Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel for Reseda; California Assemblyman David Alvarez for Chula Vista; and California Assemblywoman Laurie Davies for Oceanside. Other speakers and recognition include:
- Arizona State Representative Seth Blatmann at the Mesa ceremony.
- California Assemblyman Vince Fong (now a newly elected member of the U.S. Congress) at the Bakersfield ceremony.
- California State Senator Susan Rubio at the West Covina ceremony.
- Georgia State Representative Imani Barnes at the Stone Mountain ceremony.
- Nevada State Senator Roberta Lange at the Las Vegas ceremony.
- California Assemblywoman Stephanie Nguyen at the Sacramento ceremony.
- Arizona State Representative Lorena Austin at the Mesa Ceremony.
- Oceanside City Council Member Jimmy Figueroa at the Oceanside ceremony.
- California Senator Anna Caballero and Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula at the Fresno ceremony.
- California Senator Lena Gonzalez awarded the Huntington Park Valedictorian with a Certificate of Recognition from the California Senate.
- Mayor Tony Wu at the West Covina ceremony.
- California Assemblyman Bill Essayli at the Riverside ceremony.
- Arizona State Senator Ken Bennett at the Phoenix ceremony
- Mayor John McCann spoke at the Chula Vista ceremony.
- California State Assemblyman David Alvarez at the Chula Vista ceremony.
- California Assemblyman Mike Gipson at the Gardena ceremony.
- California Assemblyman Tri Ta at the Garden Grove ceremony.
- Councilwoman Esmeralda Castillo at the Huntington Park ceremony.
- Mayor Kevin Lincoln at the Stockton ceremony.
- Nevada Assemblywoman Clara Thomas at the Las Vegas ceremony.
- Deputy Mayor Alfonso Gonzalez at the Chula Vista ceremony.
- Mayor Esther Sanchez at the Oceanside ceremony.
Thank you all for honoring our graduates!
