Dania Beach, FL – United International College (UIC) proudly celebrated its 24th Commencement Ceremony, marking a significant milestone as the institution also commemorates its 25th Anniversary. The ceremony brought together graduates, families, faculty, and community leaders to honor the achievements of the Class of 2026.
The keynote address was delivered by Dania Beach Mayor Joyce Davis, who inspired graduates with a message of resilience, purpose, and lifelong learning. Welcoming UIC to the community, she expressed, “We are so proud to have your campus in our city.”
In her remarks, Mayor Davis emphasized that graduates stand “at the intersection of passion and purpose” and shared key guiding principles: to continue learning and remain curious, to stay true to one’s values, and to recognize that coming from a small place does not limit one’s potential. She also reminded graduates, “What you have earned is not something that anyone can take from you.”
Adding a powerful closing message, she shared, “The last pillar of the four is that your beginning doesn’t define your end,” encouraging students to embrace growth and transformation throughout their lives.
Reflecting on her personal journey growing up in a small town in Indiana, Mayor Davis spoke about embracing diversity and overcoming feelings of being different. She credited her mother’s belief in her as a driving force behind her success and encouraged graduates not to underestimate their voice or potential.
Graduate speaker Luiz Renaud of Brazil, who earned his MBA, addressed the class, highlighting the transformative impact of his education at UIC. “UIC taught us how to see opportunities when others see obstacles,” he said.
Undergraduate speaker Carolina Posse from Colombia, representing the Travel and Tourism Associate Program, shared her personal journey of growth and perseverance. “I came to the United States to improve my English, never imagining that I would soon join UIC to study Travel and Tourism,” she said. “It was not easy—we didn’t just learn theory; we learned consistency and how to adapt when things didn’t go as expected.” She reminded her peers that success is not linear, adding, “It doesn’t matter how many times you have to start over—what matters is how much you believe in your dreams.” She concluded by noting that the ceremony celebrated not just degrees, but the collective achievements of international students pursuing their aspirations in the United States.
The ceremony also featured a special performance of the national anthem by International Business Management bachelor’s degree alumnus Alin Turculescu of Romania. A commemorative video showcasing messages and well wishes from graduates was presented in celebration of UIC’s 25th Anniversary and in honor of President and Co-founder Lydia Bautista Moller.
Members of the Board, Dr. Lina Maria Moyano and Dr. Marcela Moyano, were in attendance, along with Dr. Ted Abernethy, Director of Athletics, and distinguished faculty members, including Prof. Fernando Rosero, Dr. Chee Piong, Dr. Deborah Mendez, Prof. Jack Rose, Prof. Lourdes Collazo, and Prof. Andre Noudjo, and Prof. David Lesser.
The 24th Commencement Ceremony highlighted UIC’s continued commitment to academic excellence, diversity, and empowering students from around the world to achieve their personal and professional goals.
Watch full live stream of the Commencement Ceremony
About United International College
United International College is a dynamic institution dedicated to providing quality higher education to a diverse, international student population. Located in Dania Beach, Florida, UIC offers career-focused programs designed to prepare students for success in a global environment. For inquiries about its admissions process, contact uicadmissions@uinternational.edu