Two inspiring graduates to illuminate how they are “Lighting the Way Forward”
Two graduating Oakland Community College students have been selected as keynote commencement speakers for the 2025 graduation ceremonies. This marks the third time in recent history that students have been selected.
“When looking for potential speakers who can serve as inspiration to our graduates and the OCC community, we didn’t have to look far,” said OCC Provost Jennifer Berne. “Our two student speakers have both overcome significant challenges, including returning to college after a long absence – while retaining a positive attitude and drive to make a difference in their lives and communities.”
Both students will incorporate this year’s theme: “Light the Way Forward,” into their keynote address aimed at approximately 1,800 OCC graduates who earned a certificate or an associate degree in applied science, arts, business administration, general studies or science.
The event will be held Saturday, May 17, at 10 a.m. and at 2 p.m. at the Oakland University Athletics Center O’rena.
Meet Desiree Arscott
Degree: Associate in General Studies
Arscott is a 58-year-old military veteran and resident of Southfield. She entered the Army at age 18, but two years later, was devastated when she lost her mother. As the oldest of five siblings, it fell to Arscott to raise her brothers and sisters. As a result, she transferred to the Army Reserves, moved back home, and took on both full-time and part-time jobs, and a full-time family.
“We knew that one of us would need to get a degree to help out our family,” Arscott says. “We decided my younger sister would go to school, and I went to work.”
While these and other challenges took their toll, they didn’t define her. She put her head down, got to work and immersed herself in a career as a social worker and case manager for nonprofit organizations – until a door opened when her supervisor approached her at work one day and encouraged her to get her degree.
She started taking classes at another college, but could only go part-time, then had to stop completely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Everything changed when Arscott was staffing a table at a resource fair and met a representative from the Michigan Reconnect program, which offers free in-district tuition to qualifying Michigan residents. The woman encouraged Arscott to apply, and Arscott received the scholarship. She was able to transfer to OCC to finish her degree.
“When God took my mom, I know he gave me something else,” Arscott says. “People who have guided me over the years.”
As she looks ahead to life after OCC and a new role at her job as program manager, this mentorship is what resonates the most.
“I want to be a center of support for my grandkids and for the underdogs—people who are unable to advocate for themselves,” she says. “Through my college experience, I’ve learned that I can do anything, and I want to pass the torch and help others achieve their goals."
Part of her Arscott’s words of wisdom for fellow graduates: “Never give up. No matter how long it takes, never let your light go all the way out. It can dim, and in hard times it might, but don’t let it go out.”
Meet Heather Gleason
Degree: Associate in Applied Science – Library Technical Services
“After high school, I was a dance major,” says Heather Gleason, 54, a resident of Royal Oak. “I even performed in several Nutcracker performances with the DSO in Detroit. Unfortunately, I had to drop out of school for health reasons.”
Instead, Gleason entered the workforce. She took classes to learn word processing, spreadsheets and other basic office skills, and earned a certificate. She also taught ballet and thought she might want to work in dance therapy. Ultimately, she found jobs in other fine arts areas, working for various nonprofit organizations in public relations and fund development roles.
Her world stopped when she got sick again. This time, she got down to 87 pounds before her care team found the right treatment. Besides healing her body, she realized she needed to feed her mind.
Soon after recovering, Gleason began homeschooling her son as he entered the sixth grade. She needed to develop a curriculum, which involved working with libraries and doing research. She found that she had a passion for it. At that point, a little voice in her head told her the time was right to go back to school.
“I knew I could finish this time, and that I would set a good example for my son,” she said.
Gleason decided to enroll at OCC and pursue a degree in library technical services.
“Library technology focuses on community resources, history and marginalized populations, which are all important to me,” she said.
Gleason’s educational journey with her son also came full circle when he entered the dual enrollment program at OCC, earning college credits while in high school. This shared educational journey will culminate at Commencement – when Gleason and her son will graduate together, both Summa Cum Laude and members of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
After leaving OCC, Gleason is excited to start the next chapter of her life.
“I want to advocate for a number of causes, including public libraries, which are so essential for our communities,” she said. “Starting this summer, I’ll also be tutoring neurodiverse students who have dyslexia, ADHD or other reading challenges.”
Gleason’s words of wisdom for fellow graduates: “You’ve worked hard to get here, and you have so much to share with others. Be a beacon of hope, even in the dark times. This is the way we can all build a brighter future.”
For further information visit OCC Commencement.
About OCC
Oakland Community College offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs with the resources students need to be successful and advance our community. As a top transfer institution, OCC offers one of the state’s most affordable tuition rates and flexibility in scheduling. The College is nationally recognized for its high-demand career training and expert faculty in their fields. More than 1 million students have enrolled in the College since it opened in 1965. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
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