USAG Rheinland-Pfalz’ annual graduation ceremony honors graduates’ academic achievements

Photo By Mary Del Rosario | For the second consecutive year, the U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz’s Army Continuing Education System (ACES) hosted a graduation recognition ceremony. The event, held May 2 in the Sembach Education Center auditorium on Sembach Kaserne, Germany, honored the academic achievements of 38 military personnel, civilians, and veterans. (Photo by Mary Del Rosario)  

KAISERSLAUTERN, RHEINLAND-PFALZ, GERMANY

05.12.2025

Story by Linda Lambiotte 

U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz honored the academic achievements of 38 military servicemembers, civilians, and veterans in a graduation recognition ceremony May 2 on Sembach Kaserne.

Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond Wrensch, USAG Rheinland-Pfalz, presided over the ceremony and delivered remarks.

“It’s an honor to be here today to celebrate this powerful moment with you — your graduation,” he said. “You embraced a challenge that few can truly understand, pursuing higher education while balancing the unique demands of military life. You have achieved this milestone through discipline, sacrifice, and commitment — not just for your career, but for your development as a leader.”

Wrensch said that earning a degree helps develop intuitive leadership attributes such as critical thinking, active listening and clear communication skills.

“You have gained more than just a degree; you have developed into leaders who embody confidence, humility, insight, and intuition,” he said. “You are role models for lifelong learning, demonstrating that regardless of the pace or challenges, it is always possible to invest in your education.”

Wrensch expressed gratitude to the families for their support of the graduates. “The Army calls us to be learners, to be leaders, and to be ready. Today, you are all three,” he said.

Recognized during the annual ceremony were:

Associate Degree Graduates:

MSG DeMar Bowman: Associate of Science in Health and Exercise Science from Hagerstown Community College, Maryland

SSG Gilberto Carrera: Associate of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from American Military University

SFC Kenson Paul Cherilus: Associate of Arts in General Studies from University of Maryland Global Campus

Michela Figueroa: Associate of Arts in General Studies: Spanish from University of Maryland Global Campus

SGT Jacandra Harris: Associate of Arts in Supply Chain Management, Magna Cum Laude, from American Military University

SSG Jamie H. Mejia: Associate of Arts in Healthcare Administration from University of Maryland Global Campus

SSG Masina T. Pua: Associate of Applied Science in Technical Management from American Military University

SGT Emily Bryanna Segoviano: Associate of Arts in General Studies from University of Maryland Global Campus

SGT Tyler Vincent Stephens: Associate of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from American Military University

Baccalaureate Degree Graduates:

CW2 Melvin Bullard: Bachelor of Arts in Management from American Military University

SSG Markena K.S. Dawkins: Bachelor of Arts in Business from American Military University

Lydianna DeJesus: Bachelor of Science in Computer Animation from Full Sail University

Pamela Frank: Bachelor of Arts in History from University of Maryland Global Campus

SPC Maria Paula Hudson: Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Resource Management, Magna Cum Laude, from Grand Canyon University

Ifegwu Ifegwu: Bachelor of Science in Data Science from University of Maryland Global Campus

SSG Tamillyah Jo: Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications from The University of Arizona Global Campus

Emily Johnson: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing from Liberty University

Lirian Nicole Loaiza Pesantez: Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security from University of Maryland Global Campus

SSG Richard Anthony Martinez: Bachelor of Science in General Studies, Cum Laude, from University of Maryland Global Campus

SSG Melissa McDaniel: Bachelor of Arts in Government Contracting and Acquisition from American Military University

SFC Kimbrea Moore-Dorsey: Bachelor of Science in General Studies from University of Maryland Global Campus

SPC Taylor Moses: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Technology from University of Maryland Global Campus

SSG Tameka Probst: Bachelor of Science in Health Management from University of Phoenix

SSG Ezroy Rogers: Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management from Upper Iowa University

SGT Bryan Valerio: Bachelor of Arts in General Studies from Southern New Hampshire University

Master Degree Graduates:

Jerry Barnett: Master of Business Administration from University of Maryland Global Campus

SGM Raymond Blas Jr.: Master of Science in Management Organizational Leadership, Summa Cum Laude, from Excelsior University

MSG Emmanuel Kojo Bour: Master of Business Administration from University of Maryland Global Campus

SSG Brian Scott Clasing: Master of Business Administration from American Military University

SFC Terrence Conyers: Master of Business Administration, Public Administration from Columbia Southern University

Darren Donovan: Master of Business Administration from University of Maryland Global Campus

Marcus Q. Gradney: Master of Business Administration from University of Maryland Global Campus

Pauline N. Martinez: Master of Business Administration from Western Governor’s University

MSG Delia M. Ogbonna: Master of Business Administration from Columbia Southern University

Amanda M. Parrish: Master of Science in Leadership from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

CSM Anthony J. Rose: Master of Science in Organizational Development & Leadership, Magna Cum Laude, from University of the Incarnate Word
SFC Steven M. Trudel: Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Liberty University

Doctoral Graduate:

Elizabeth Bird: EdD, Doctor of Education from Capella University

USAG Rheinland-Pfalz’ Army Continuing Education Services serves as a symbol of lifelong learning, readiness and resilience, providing flexible and high-quality education programs to support the entire Army. Through initiatives such as the graduation recognition ceremony, ACES empowers military personnel, civilians and veterans to achieve their academic goals while maintaining their dedication to serving their country.

U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz advances the Department of Defense mission to achieve peace through strength as we serve, support and secure the total force community, enabling power projection for the European Theater.

• Date Taken: 05.12.2025
• Date Posted: 05.12.2025 09:58
• Story ID: 497619
• Location: KAISERSLAUTERN, RHEINLAND-PFALZ, DE