May 20, 2026
Johnson County Community College (JCCC) will recognize graduates from the 2025-2026 academic year with commencement ceremonies on Thursday, May 21. This marks the College’s 56th Commencement.
Graduate Fast Facts from the 2025-2026 Academic Year
- 3,811* graduates
- 2,754* associate degrees awarded
- 2,061* certificates awarded
- JCCC students represent 135 countries, 47 states, and 74 Kansas counties
- Graduates represent 80+ academic programs in eight areas of interest
- Over $22 million in internal and external scholarship and grant funds paid to JCCC students by the Financial Aid Office and the JCCC Foundation
* Anticipated figures, official numbers will be available once final grades are posted.
Commencement Details
On May 21, JCCC will hold two commencement ceremonies, at 3 and 6:30 p.m. Both will be in the GYM building on JCCC’s main campus in Overland Park. Answers to frequently asked commencement-related questions can be found at jccc.edu/commencement.
- Candidates for certificates and Associate of Applied Science degrees will be recognized at 3 p.m.
- Candidates for Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Fine Arts, and Associate of General Studies degrees will be recognized at 6:30 p.m.
- The ceremonies will also be livestreamed on JCCC's YouTube channel
- Each ceremony will last approximately 90 minutes
Commencement Speakers
Both JCCC Commencement ceremonies will include comments from two speakers—2026 JCCC graduate Chastity Stemmons and Deb Miksa, educator, community champion, and wife of Dr. Tony Miksa, JCCC President.
Chastity Stemmons graduates from JCCC with an associate degree in liberal arts with an emphasis in journalism. During her time at JCCC, she served as social media editor for The Messenger, the College’s student publication, managing and curating digital content and maintaining its online presence.
A dedicated mother of three, Chastity has balanced family, academics, and service with determination. Proud to have completed her college education in her 50s, she plans to attend the University of Kansas to pursue a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
Deb Miksa was raised in Marion, Iowa, and is a first-generation community college graduate. She received an Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Kirkwood Community College. After Kirkwood, she attended and graduated from the University of Iowa in 1996 with a degree in elementary education.
Throughout her career, Deb taught pre-K, kindergarten, second grade, and K-8 visual art, and led an arts integration initiative in pre-K through fifth grade. While living in Tennessee, she volunteered with many nonprofit organizations and committees, including a theater group, art museum, girls’ club, beautification organization, education initiative, college mentor program, food bank, and public art projects.
Her greatest joys in life are spending time with family, helping children enjoy learning, and volunteering for key causes in her community. She believes small acts make big impacts and that we all have the ability to change the world, one good deed at a time. Her greatest accomplishments are raising her two children, teaching other people’s children, and being a helper.
CONTACT:
Emma Swinney
Public and Media Relations Coordinator
[email protected]
913-469-8500, ext. 4949
Chris Gray
VP, Strategic Communications & Marketing
[email protected]
913-469-8500, ext. 7623
###