NORTH CANTON, Ohio, May 14, 2024 – Stark State College is set to graduate 605 students at its spring commencement Sunday, May 19, at 2 p.m. at the Canton Memorial Civic Center and streaming live on YouTube.

The College will award 679 associate degrees in business, education, engineering technologies, health, human and public services, information technology, liberal arts, mathematics and sciences.

The commencement speaker will be Mayor Shammas Malik of the city of Akron. Mayor Malik is Akron’s youngest mayor and first mayor of color. His platform focuses on key initiatives that make up his Together for Akron plan: a unifying vision for the city’s future, rooted in safe neighborhoods, good schools, affordable homes, equitable economic opportunity and environmental sustainability. He is dedicated to communication and transparency as pillars of his administration.

Mayor Malik grew up in northwest Akron and participated in the International Baccalaureate program at Firestone High School before receiving a scholarship to The Ohio State University. He then went on to graduate from Harvard Law School. He returned to Akron in 2016 and dedicated his career to public service, first as an assistant director of Law for the city, and then as the elected representative to City Council for Ward 8. In 2019, Mayor Malik successfully ran for Akron City Council in the neighborhood where he grew up. He was sworn in as Akron’s 63rd mayor on Jan. 1, 2024.

Friends and family are invited to watch the livestream of commencement at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mUsT0iAyUk.