Pinned, Corded and Proud: Dallas College Honors Its Bachelor’s Graduates

May 21, 2026

Graduation week at Dallas College wasn’t just a milestone, it was a moment filled with pride, reflection and excitement for what’s next. Bachelor’s degree graduates in nursing and education gathered to celebrate the journeys that brought them here and the futures they’re ready to shape. 

Across two special ceremonies, students were recognized not only for their academic achievements, but for the resilience, passion and purpose that carried them to the finish line. Nursing graduates marked the occasion with a pinning ceremony on May 11, while early childhood education and teaching graduates were honored with a cording ceremony on May 12. Each event captured the spirit of accomplishment in its own unique way. 

Stepping Into Leadership 

This May marked a defining moment for Dallas College as it celebrated the second graduating class of its RN-BSN program, a group already making waves in the healthcare field.  

Lea-Beima Dorestin, who served as the student speaker at the pinning ceremony, described the experience as unforgettable. 

“The pinning ceremony honestly felt incredibly surreal,” she said. “When you're in an online program, you spend so much time interacting through a computer screen. So having that physical milestone where I stood as the speaker of my cohort was a truly moving experience.” 

For Dorestin, the journey doesn’t stop here. While earning her bachelor’s degree, she was concurrently working toward her master’s degree in nursing and is on track to graduate in Spring 2027, a step closer to her goal of becoming a leader in the field. 

“Dallas College has given me the foundation to pivot my focus toward my ultimate career goal, which is nursing leadership and management.” 

She credits the program’s affordability and fully online format for making her goals more accessible and says earning her degree represents more than just personal success. 

“It represented a collective victory for my entire support system, my family, my professors, and every single faculty member who supported me throughout this program. I could not have achieved it alone. And that is what made this entire experience so meaningful for me.”

 

Fueling a Passion for Teaching 

For Leonardo Cortes, the path to graduation came with reflection, determination and a renewed sense of purpose. 

A former Dallas College dual credit student who graduated in 2022, Cortes took a gap year before returning to complete his bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and teaching. He was not only a graduate, but also a student speaker at the May 16 commencement. 

His inspiration to teach comes from the educators who shaped his own journey. 

“I never had a bad teacher. I've always had great teachers, and they always made an impact on me. Every teacher that I had always wanted to support me in any way they could.”  

Motivated by those experiences, Cortes is ready to make that same lasting impact on young students, with plans to begin teaching first grade. Looking ahead, he hopes to earn his coaching license and eventually return to his own high school to mentor future generations both in the classroom and on the field. 

The cording ceremony on May 12, he said, made the accomplishment feel even more real. 

“It feels great knowing that I'm going to finish with my bachelor's degree because I never thought after I took the gap year that I would go and finish my four-year degree. So, to be able to graduate with a bachelor's is honestly amazing.” 

A Celebration of What’s Next 

From future healthcare leaders to inspiring educators, Dallas College’s bachelor’s graduates are stepping boldly into their next chapters. Their stories are reminders that every path looks different, but with determination, support and opportunity, anything is possible. 

As the cords are worn and the pins are placed, one thing is clear, This accomplishment is not the finish line — it’s just the beginning.  

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