With a total of 433 diplomas set to be awarded at Friday’s graduation ceremony for Grays Harbor College, there are a number of new programs at the college that will see their first graduating class since their creation.

The class of 2019 includes graduates from two of the college’s new Bachelor of Applied Science programs. The 21 students who started the Bachelor of Applied Science teacher education program two years ago are all graduating this week. Seven of those graduates already have local teaching jobs, while several others are awaiting results following interviews.

Five students will receive their Bachelor of Applied Science degree in forest resource management, with nine others completing the program next year.

Also graduating are the first 12 students completing the Associate of Applied Science for medical assistant, a program run concurrently between the college and the Twin Harbors Skills Center.The program’s first graduating class includes both younger high school students and those returning after being away from the classroom for many years.

Another first this year are the 18 Associate in Applied Science degrees in Business Management that the College is awarding to qualifying graduates at Stafford Creek Corrections facility.

The new degree offerings were created in response to demands from area employers needing to hire workers with these skills, College President James Minkler said in a press release.

“We are so proud to honor all of our graduates in this record-breaking Class of 2019,” Minkler said.