May 2026 Commencement Spotlight: Devin LaRocque ‘26 Graduates First of the Cannabis Chemistry Cohort
York College is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of its graduating seniors. Among them is Devin LaRocque ‘26, who will be the first York College student to earn her degree in Cannabis Chemistry and use it to turn her internship into a full-time job.
York College of Pennsylvania is gearing up to celebrate the Class of 2026 and the end of another semester with its annual May graduation ceremonies. More than 500 students will walk the stage this year, and the York College community is excited to come together to acknowledge their accomplishments and help make their final day at York College memorable.
Join York College for the Spring 2026 Commencement on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center. Two ceremonies will be held that day, with their information listed below:
9:15 a.m. Ceremony
- School of the Arts, Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences
- Kinsley School of Engineering, Sciences, and Technology
3:00 p.m. Ceremony
York College is proud and excited for the next steps the Class of 2026 will take after college. The seniors accomplished so much over the course of their college experience, studying for exams and working hard on research and projects that have prepared them for the next stages of their lives. Some of their achievements have even made York College history and have paved the way for future students to pursue their passions.
One such senior is Devin LaRocque ‘26, who will be the first York College students to graduate with a degree in Cannabis Chemistry and use it to continue her education and join the workforce.
Choosing a Path in Healing
Originally from Forest Hill, Maryland, Devin came to York College at her mother's suggestion. Her interest in the school took hold after she toured and found herself drawn to their science programs. She even mentioned being intrigued with having the chance to sign Ol’ Spart upon graduation.
At the start of her college journey, Devin envisioned herself applying to medical school, so she prepared by choosing a Biology major. However, just a few weeks before she was set to start classes, Devin found out about a new program York College was offering that year: Cannabis Chemistry.
“This is something new that they’re offering, something I have an interest in,” Devin said. “[It] could be hand-in-hand with the medical field, which is what I initially thought I would end up doing, which is why I was going down that biology path. But then I ended up changing and never looked back.”
With her mother being a medical patient, she had some familiarity with the therapeutic and medicinal benefits of cannabis treatment. Choosing a path focused on therapeutics and pain management appealed to Devin and fulfilled her desire to work in medicine without the limits, demands, and extra workload of medical school.
To her, it wasn’t a hard decision, especially when she recognized that it would still allow her to follow her passion in helping people. So, Devin decided to switch her major to Cannabis Chemistry with Biology as her minor.
“I kept that Biology minor just because I have a love for science, learning about the human body and everything, and medicine,” she said. “But now I’m glad that I chose cannabis because it can go hand in hand with some of the stuff I was initially interested in, like medicine.”
Finding Her Place at York College
While at York College, Devin shared that she had many opportunities to get involved and be a part of the community.
One of her proudest accomplishments in college was becoming a Resident Assistant (RA) on campus. She got the position in her sophomore year and was promoted to a Community Assistant (CA) in her senior year.
“Becoming an RA on campus, I think that’s, besides academics, probably my proudest accomplishment in college,” Devin said. “That’s the way that I chose to get involved. [...] That was how I chose to make friends, create connections.”
Devin enjoyed her position, especially after being promoted and having office hours in the Residence Life Office. Being able to talk to students and the staff she worked with was her favorite part of the job. Those moments meant a lot to her and allowed her to form meaningful relationships with the people around her.
“I’m going to miss having those conversations where even though I was there doing my job on campus, it didn’t feel like a job necessarily,” she said.
Her classes also left a strong impression on Devin. The professors she had were very supportive and helped her learn everything she needed to thrive in her program and connect with her peers. Even when the material challenged her, Devin’s professors and classmates encouraged her to do her best and work with others to succeed.
“As my advisee and student in my chemistry courses, she was in my office regularly,” said Dr. Jessica Fautch, Dean of Kinsley School of Engineering, Sciences, and Technology. “[...] She connected with other chemistry majors and made some lasting connections with friends. She was energized by her classwork and the vast amount of knowledge that is yet to be discovered with respect to cannabis and the organic compounds found in the plant.”
Growing Further Through Organic Remedies
York College not only provided Devin with the education to succeed as a Cannabis Chemistry major, but also opportunities to find her place in the workforce.
Every semester, the Chemistry Department hosts the Chemistry Industry Advisory Council (CIAC) Meeting, where industry representatives gather to network with students and offer potential internships. During her 2024 Fall Semester, Devin connected with the Chief of Science at Organic Remedies, a medical cannabis business that aids patients through dispensing and providing medical cannabis products and therapy while doing research.
“One of the great things about our Chemistry program is our relationships with local companies through our Chemical Industry Advisory Council (CIAC), and Devin took advantage of the opportunity to meet with Organic Remedies Reps at the spring and fall CIAC meetings which lead to the internship opportunity,” said Dr. Gregory Foy, Professor of Chemistry.
Shortly after the event, Devin reached out about the possibility of interning with the business, and even though the Chief of Science hadn’t taken on interns before, he offered her a place. With that, Devin began her internship in the 2025 Spring Semester and has continued since then.
“Since working for Organic Remedies, Devin has grown into a passionate and well-informed scientist,” Dr. Fautch said. “She is excited to share her knowledge with the general public, as there is so much yet to learn about terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids.
The internship also allowed Devin to earn credit, a requirement of her program. She needed to complete a semester of research as well, and while being mindful of regulations regarding cannabis on campus, Devin completed her work in the Organic Remedies labs. So when presenting her research after spending a semester and her summer working on it, she showed how her internship and research project went hand in hand.
“Devin is passionate about learning as much as she can about the industry and the foundational science that is yet to be discovered,” Dr. Fautch said. “Additionally, she is motivated to educate the public about cannabis science and research, and the possibilities to connect what we learn to improving one's health.”
Her main job at Organic Remedies was focused on sample preparation. Devin would receive cannabis flour samples, prep the samples, do dilution steps, and send them into the HPLC, where results would be sent to her boss and eventually lead to labeling for packaging. She would also occasionally shadow in the lab, once even getting to see the extraction process and assisting, and see the formulation room.
Creating a Goal with a Plan
Devin plans to continue working for Organic Remedies as a full-time employee after she graduates. She has greatly enjoyed the work she has done, and will be working their night shift.
She also aims to continue her education while doing so, stating that she will apply to the University of Maryland’s Master of Science program in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics. The two-year, online program is the first in the United States to focus on the study of medical cannabis, which Devin is excited about pursuing after being the first from York College to receive a bachelor’s degree in Cannabis Chemistry.
“There’s so much potential in this industry that I would love to stay in it as long as I can, and [...] go as far as I can with my education to really specialize in this field,” Devin said.
Devin is excited that she’s continuing her education with a passion for an industry that is rapidly growing and discovering the benefits medical cannabis can provide in medicine. She is glad to be part of that growth and to serve as a role model for current and future York College students as they discover the endless possibilities in their new programs.
“The school offers resources for you to do your internship,” Devin said. “I reached out [and] did my internship, which led to assisting me in my own personal research. I was then able to accomplish that so I could meet my graduation requirements and have something to present in my senior year. And now it’s my job security because of the internship that’s led to [it].”
Devin also shared that her personal motto has also played a role in motivating her to reach this point in her life: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
From the very beginning, Devin has been working to achieve the steps needed to ensure her path through college was clear. Even as she shifted her approach to achieving her goal of working in medicine, Devin worked hard to make the most of her education and find ways to apply it beyond the classroom.
Now, thanks to her careful planning and hard work, she has made her goal a reality. Not only does she have a job lined up in her field of study, but she is also planning to enroll in another program to further her knowledge in the industry she is entering.
“I think [College] is what you make of it, and it’s what you do with it. And I’m making sure that I’m doing what I can do with it and doing as much as I can with my degree, and that’s, again, furthering my education,” she said. “I have my degree. So because of this, I can go get my master's.”
Leading the Future of Cannabis Chemistry
When she entered the program, Devin never expected the legacy she would leave behind to be the first students from York College to graduate with a B.S. in Cannabis Chemistry. As a woman in STEM in a male-dominated field and workspace, it is an amazing accomplishment, and something she hopes can inspire others like her to take advantage of it.
“Not only am I the first, but I am a female student,” she said. “I am a woman in STEM, and we see more women in STEM fields now than we have previously, and it’s growing the more that we see.”
“It’s nice to know that I’m getting into this industry, and I’m getting in it being a first.”
Devin expressed that it feels like she’s getting into the medical cannabis industry at the right time. Industries have established themselves, so the field isn’t so stigmatized, but they still have to deal with new regulations. Prepare students on campus better prior to entering the work industry; now is the time to get interested in the field.
“But also with the cannabis industry, more jobs are going to open up because of the legalization and because of the growing industry,” Devin said. “Opportunities are just going to present themselves rather than doors shutting. So I feel like that’s why I am at the right spot; it feels like what I’m doing is what I’m supposed to be doing.”
As she prepares to walk across the stage as a new graduate of York College, Devin leaves students a final piece of advice: use all of the College’s available resources to achieve your goals.
The faculty and staff offer many opportunities for students to succeed and discover where they want to take their careers next. If students are willing to give them a shot and explore how the events and their topics relate to them, many will find ideas that resonate with their passions.
“Take advantage of every resource that the school provides you because, truly, nobody wants you to fail,” Devin said. “Nobody wants to see you fall on your face. They all want you to succeed, so they’re going to provide you with the resources [...].”
As Devin found, taking a chance with brand-new programs and putting herself out there has allowed her to discover what she wants to do with her life. Four years later, she is leaving York College with a degree that will serve her well and a job she loves. And now she encourages students to make the most of their education and pursue what it is they are passionate about.
“There are always opportunities that the school is going to offer. You just have to ask.”
