For only the third time in recent history, two Oakland Community College students themselves have been selected as keynote speakers for the 2025 graduation ceremonies.

Desiree Arscott of Southfield and Heather Gleason of Royal Oak will speak at the event to be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17 at the Oakland University Athletics Center O’rena.

“When looking for potential speakers who can serve as inspiration to our graduates and the OCC community, we didn’t have to look far,” said OCC Provost Jennifer Berne. “Our two student speakers have both overcome significant challenges, including returning to college after a long absence — while retaining a positive attitude and drive to make a difference in their lives and communities.”

Both students will incorporate this year’s theme: “Light the Way Forward,” into their keynote address aimed at 1,800 OCC graduates who earned a certificate or an associate degree in applied science, arts, business administration, general studies or science.

Arscott is a 58-year-old military veteran and will graduate with an associates degree in General Studies.

She entered the Army at age 18, but two years later, lost her mother. As the oldest of five siblings, she decided to transfer to the Army Reserves, moved back home, and took on both full-time and part-time jobs, and a full-time family.

“We knew that one of us would need to get a degree to help out our family,” Arscott said. “We decided my younger sister would go to school, and I went to work.”

Arscott was staffing a table at a resource fair not long after the end of the Covid-19 pandemic and met a representative from the Michigan Reconnect program, which offers free in-district tuition to qualifying Michigan residents. The woman encouraged Arscott to apply, and Arscott received the scholarship and was able to transfer past credits to OCC to finish her degree.

“I want to be a center of support for my grandkids and for the underdogs—people who are unable to advocate for themselves,” she said. “Through my college experience, I’ve learned that I can do anything, and I want to pass the torch and help others achieve their goals.”

Heather Gleason, 54, was a dance major at Marygrove College after high school, but had to drop out due to health reasons.

She later worked a variety of jobs before her health diminished again, but she recovered and eventually homeschooled her sixth-grade son.

Gleason later enrolled at OCC and pursued a degree in library technical services. Her educational journey came full circle when her son entered the dual enrollment program at OCC, earning college credits while in high school.

Both will graduate Summa Cum Laude together and both will become members of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

“I want to advocate for a number of causes, including public libraries, which are so essential for our communities,” she said. “Starting this summer, I’ll also be tutoring neurodiverse students who have dyslexia, ADHD or other reading challenges.”