Combined with Fanuchånan (Fall) 2024, UOG conferred 594 total degrees in academic year 2024-2025 underscoring UOG's commitment to cultivating a robust professional workforce tailored to the region’s evolving needs. UOG graduates are poised to contribute significantly across sectors critical to the development of the island and region, including healthcare, science and engineering, education, and business and public service.

Meeting Workforce Needs with Career-Ready Graduates

The Fañomnåkan (Spring) 2025 graduating class reflects the UOG’s focus on academic programs that align with Guam’s priority workforce sectors:

• Professionals in Healthcare: The healthcare pipeline continues to grow, with 31 nursing graduates, 16 social work graduates, and 13 earning health science degrees, spanning public health, pre-physical therapy, and exercise science concentrations.

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math: Future medical doctors, scientists, engineers, and tech professionals are entering the workforce or seeking higher degrees, including 30 in Civil Engineering, 31 in Biology, and 16 in science and math programs.

• Education: There were 64 graduates in education including 39 earning bachelor’s degrees and 25 earning master’s degrees, highlighting UOG’s role in developing qualified educators to serve in Guam’s schools.

• Business and Public Administration: 131 new graduates are ready to serve and contribute to the private and public sectors, including 60 graduates earning business administration and accounting degrees, 26 earning degrees in criminal justice, 11 in public administration, and 17 earning master’s degrees in business or public administration.

• Officers Ready to Serve: Among the graduates were 16 newly commissioned U.S. Army officers from the UOG Army ROTC program. Since 1982, the program has commissioned 609 UOG graduates as officers in the U.S. Army.
  
  

Reflections on Resilience and Purpose

In her address to the graduates, Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez, UOG President, affirmed the vital role of education in an uncertain world.

“In this rapidly changing world, you may find yourselves navigating a complex web of political, civil, and economic challenges,” she said. “It is in this atmosphere of uncertainty that education emerges as our most prized asset.”

Co-Valedictorian Nicole Jean Pineda, a Biology: Biomedical track major, delivered the class address, sharing her transformation from burnout to purpose as she engaged in community service, research, and student leadership.

“It was through these experiences and encounters that I grasped the bridging role that education serves to our community,” she said. “It opens doors to service and connection, and it was a reminder that the decisions I make today and goals I set…will impact a future patient, a future student, a future friend.”

Pineda shares the valedictorian honor with her friend and colleague in the Biology: Biomedical track, Joselle Garcia.

Regional Inspiration

The keynote address was delivered by His Excellency Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, who reflected on his journey of service and leadership and encouraged graduates to lead with courage and a deep commitment to their communities.

“Graduates, your education has prepared you to be agents of change, champions for what is good and right,” President Whipps said. “…Use your education to uplift your people, strengthen your nations, and build a more just and sustainable Pacific.”

He also underscored the significance of regional partnerships in higher education. Earlier this month, 20 Palauan teachers earned their bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education with specialization in Special Education through a partnership between UOG and Palau Community College.  

The Fañomnåkan 2025 Commencement ceremony was livestreamed and is available for replay on the University of Guam’s Facebook page. Photos from the event will be posted on UOG’s Flickr page at: www.flickr.com/photos/uogtritons/albums.