It’s the end of the spring quarter at Sinclair Community College. For hundreds of students, the end of the quarter signals the culmination of their Sinclair experience: graduation.
There are potentially 3,066 students receiving associate’s degrees, certificates and short-term certificates for the 2008-2009 school year, according to a Sinclair registration report. The number of graduates could vary based on final grade performance for the spring and summer quarters. 1,550 are expected to graduate with associate’s degrees; about 635 students are expected to participate in commencement, according to Allison Rhea, director of Registration and Student Records.
Damira Hayrullina is glad to be one of those graduates.
Hayrullina, a 21-year-old native of Uzbekistan, won a scholarship to study in the United States during her senior year of high school. She graduated from Centerville High School in 2006 and began attending Sinclair later that fall while using a student visa. She will receive her associate’s degree in Interior Design.
“Being an (Interior Design) major was an awesome opportunity to meet so many nice people; I’m very thankful for all the friends that I have made over the two years in this program,” Hayrullina said.
After graduation, Hayrullina plans to go into business with a friend as an independent residential designer. She also hopes to complete Optional Practical Training, a year of work in her chosen field. In the future Hayrullina said she will apply for a working visa, a green card and, eventually, citizenship.
Hayrullina said she had great experiences with her instructors as well as classes that she enjoyed.
“My experience at Sinclair has been great, and I’m not just saying this because of the interview, I really did enjoy Sinclair a lot,” Hayrullina said.