New York, NY – May 9, 2025— Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) proudly announces that Cheryl Wills, Anchor at Spectrum NY1 News and Emmy award-winning journalist and author, and Michael Hastings, who currently serves as the Global Head of Customer Solutions Management for Automotive & Manufacturing at Amazon Web Services (AWS), will receive the Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, at MCNY’s 48th Commencement Ceremony. The event will take place on Saturday, June 14, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.
This year’s commencement will be especially significant as Dr. Charles J. Gibbs, the seventh and first African American President of MCNY, will preside over his first official graduation ceremony, conferring degrees on a new generation of leaders. Dr. Gibbs was invited to deliver remarks at the 2024 ceremony, shortly before assuming the presidency on July 1st, 2024.
The College will celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2025 from both its Manhattan and Bronx campuses, representing undergraduate and graduate programs. These graduates hail from the greater New York area and 20 different countries, reflecting the global reach and diverse impact of MCNY’s mission.
The graduating class reflects the College’s longstanding commitment to inclusive education. Approximately 70% of graduates are women and 30% are men, with more than 90% aged 25 and older, underscoring MCNY’s focus on adult learners and working professionals.
“MCNY graduates don’t just walk across the stage—they walk into the world armed with the tools to build stronger communities and challenge injustice. They carry forward our mission of Purpose-Centered Education, using their knowledge to drive real, lasting change rooted in equity, empathy, and action,” said Dr. Charles J. Gibbs, MCNY President. “This moment is deeply personal for me—not just because it is my first commencement as President, but because of what it represents: transformation, hope, and the power of education to rewrite futures. It is especially meaningful to honor Ms. Wills for her groundbreaking work in journalism and historical storytelling and Mr. Hastings for his global leadership in expanding digital equity and workforce development through cloud technologies. Both honorees embody the values of MCNY: service, innovation, and transformation.”
Dr. Charles J. Gibbs Remarks at 2024 Commencement just two weeks ahead of becoming MCNY’s 7th President.
Dr. Gibbs further emphasized the alignment of the honorees’ work with the values of Purpose-Centered Education—a model that has distinguished MCNY since its founding in 1964. Each honoree has demonstrated a deep commitment to equity, empowerment, and public service in their respective fields.
Founded by visionary educator Audrey Cohen, Metropolitan College of New York has pioneered Purpose-Centered Education, a model that integrates academic study with meaningful, real-world application and has been adopted by many educational institutions worldwide. Students at MCNY complete Constructive Action projects each semester that directly impact their communities or workplaces, preparing them to lead with integrity, skill, and purpose.
Metropolitan College of New York is one of the city’s leading institutions for educating adult learners in public service and social impact sectors. MCNY has a strong legacy of graduating leaders who go on to serve in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, healthcare systems, and educational institutions as administrators, advocates, and educators. Its alumni are among New York’s most visible, dedicated change agents.
About the Honorees
Cheryl Wills is a veteran anchor for Spectrum News NY1, where she leads the nightly newscasts New York Tonight and NY1 at Ten, and hosts the public affairs program In Focus with Cheryl Wills. Joining NY1 at its inception in 1992, she has been a pioneering presence in New York journalism for over three decades. Wills is the first African American woman to anchor a prime-time nightly newscast for the network and the first in NY1’s history to win an Emmy Award. Her acclaimed series of books chronicles her family’s history from slavery to freedom, highlighting her great-great-great-grandfather Sandy Wills’ service in the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War. Beyond journalism, Wills is a sought-after speaker and educator and has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Gracie Award and acknowledgments from the United Nations and Correspondents Association.
Michael Hastings serves as the Global Head of Customer Solutions Management for Automotive & Manufacturing at Amazon Web Services (AWS). Mr. Hastings leads a global team helping top automotive and manufacturing companies innovate through cloud technology, data analytics, and generative AI. Over the course of more than two decades, Mr. Hastings has built a strong reputation for driving business transformation. His work is shaping the future of how industries operate, adapt, and lead in an increasingly digital world. Much of his work has focused on bridging the digital divide and supporting community-based innovation in under-resourced communities. Hastings has developed strategic collaborations that help public sector organizations leverage cloud services to deliver measurable social impact. A longtime advocate for education, inclusion, and cross-sector partnerships, he plays a key role in building national strategies that prepare individuals and institutions for a tech-driven future.
