Valencia College Alumni

⚙️ Did You Know ⚙️

Valencia used to host a motorcycle ride in the early 2000's to help raise funds for students?!

We think that's pretty bad to the bone 😎

Amazing!!!!

In high school in Orlando, Anna Correa heard all the negative talk about community colleges.

But when she arrived at Valencia College, she was surprised at what she found – small classes with professors who were interested in getting to know her and helping her, clubs where she made friends, and internships and research experiences that many of her friends at four-year universities weren’t getting.

Now, after graduating from Valencia College, she’s continuing her studies at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania.
“I got accepted everywhere I applied: Cornell, Georgetown, NYU, Penn, everywhere,” she says, marveling.

Today, the Brazilian native is grateful for the experiences she had at Valencia College - and looking forward to her next chapter!

You can read more of Anna's story here: https://valenciacollege.edu/about/stories/college-access-story-anna-correa.php

"Our voices, perhaps seemingly insignificant, have the potential to act as singular drops permeating still water that create ripples of profound change within our humanity. One drop, one voice, matters." 

Named our Summer/Fall 2025 Distinguished Graduate, Jody Smith inspired the Class of 2025 as the Dec. 10 commencement keynote speaker with a message rooted in purpose, advocacy, and resilience. 🎓👏

Thank you for your powerful words, Jody and CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2025 🎉🎉🎉

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Meet legacy alumna Amanda Hoaglen '01, a lifelong learner, educator, and advocate who has been shaping the Winter Park Campus community since 2001.

From her start as a Valencia student on East Campus to her current role as Teaching Lab Supervisor and Communication Support Center manager, Amanda has dedicated more than two decades to helping students find their voice — in writing, in class, and in life. ✍️📚

She’s also the creative force behind the annual Ilyse Kusnetz Writing Festival and recently launched a Dungeons & Dragons Club that’s bringing students together in fun and imaginative ways. 🎲✨

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🧬Alumni Spotlight: Arlette Morcelo ’22

A pivotal moment in Arlette’s life came when she learned she was conceived through in vitro fertilization — a revelation that ignited a deep curiosity about genetics, identity, and the science that made her existence possible.

“Valencia College was the catalyst for everything that followed. With the encouragement of my Biology II professor at Valencia, I joined UCF’s TRIP program—my first research experience—which opened doors to opportunities at UPenn, Harvard, and the McNair Scholars Program. Now, I'm preparing for an MD/PhD... It all started at Valencia.”

We’re proud to celebrate Arlette’s journey from Valencia to the world — and all the lives she’ll impact along the way. 💛❤️

📷: Photo by Michael J. Colella

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📣🎉 The countdown is ON!
This Sunday, May 4, we’ll celebrate the newest class of Valencia College graduates — and we couldn’t be more proud!

This weekend, it’s your moment, Class of 2025. Your hard work, resilience, and determination have brought you here — and we can’t wait to welcome you into the Valencia College Alumni family!

LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOO!

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✨️Feathers, rhinestones & glitter OH MY✨️

From DIY crochet to rubber duckies, these grad caps definitely turned heads and started new trends!

Grads, consider this your sign to go all out on May 8. Show us your masterpiece-in-the-making and tag us—we can’t wait to see how you top this 👀

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We are that Valencia College alum and Olympic medal winner Omari Jones will make his professional boxing debut in his hometown of Orlando! 🎉🥊

📍 Location: Caribe Royale Orlando
📅 Date: Saturday, March 15

Watch Omari live on DAZN, or purchase tickets at Ticketmaster to cheer him in-person! Find out more: https://bit.ly/4kx10cz
City of Orlando - Government Valencia College Alumni

This International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re spotlighting Valencia College alumna Nadia Vidal '21, whose passion for marine biology and ocean conservation has taken her from Puerto Rico to the shores of Florida and beyond. 🌊🐢

From volunteering at nature reserves as a teen to studying sea turtles in Greece and landing a prestigious NOAA scholarship, Nadia’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of science to create change.

We celebrate Nadia and all the incredible women and girls in science who are shaping a better, more sustainable future. 💙