Mohawk Valley Community College hosted its Spring Commencement today, Friday, May 13, at the Stanley Theatre in Utica. More than 880 MVCC students were invited to walk across the stage for conferral of associate degrees or certificates awarded in December 2021, May 2022, or August 2022.
Troy Little ’96, MVCC’s Director of Law Enforcement Programs and this year’s Alumni of Merit award winner, delivered this year’s Commencement keynote address. MVCC President Randall J. VanWagoner, Ph.D., presided, and remarks and congratulations were given by Anthony J. Colón, chair of the MVCC Board of Trustees; and other dignitaries and invited guests.
About the graduating class
More than 880 graduates were eligible for the conferral of a two-year associate in applied science, associate in occupational studies, associate in arts, associate in science degree, or one-year certificate. By graduating, students join MVCC’s family of more than 48,000 living alumni on record.
About the keynote speaker and
Alumni of Merit Award winner
Little was a member of the New York State Police for 22 years and retired at the rank of captain. He is now Director of Law Enforcement programs at MVCC, a position he has held since 2013. In that time, he has worked to improve the program to ensure that students are prepared for a career in law enforcement by enhancing the fitness program, adding increased assessment measures, increasing role-play scenarios, adding a dedicated tutor, including class visits to the library, and teaching students how to cite and list references, paraphrase, work as a team, study, and manage their time. Little also has adapted the program to meet the changing landscape of policing with a greater focus on the use of force and procedural and racial justice. He has been recognized for his achievements with the MVCC Heart of the Hawk award and the College Educator Award from the Genesis Group of the Mohawk Valley.
Little holds an associate degree in accounting from MVCC, a bachelor’s degree in business from Saint Leo University, and a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University at Albany. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University at Albany, focusing on improving graduation rates for men of color at community colleges.