A score of enlisted Airmen at the U.S. Air Force Academy proved higher education isn’t just for cadets when they received their Community College of the Air Force degrees June 6.

In all, 38 Airmen received CCAFs diplomas or professional certificates at the graduation ceremony in Polaris Hall.

Twenty-four earned Associates of Applied Science degrees in one of five career areas, and 14 earned professional manager certificates.

“It gives me such a sense of accomplishment,” said Senior Airman Kayla-Rae Ross, 10th Medical Support Squadron. “My CCAF degrees are stepping stones to my bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, which I will be earning next.”

Ross is the first in her family to receive a college degree. She earned her first CCAF degree in general studies in 2015 and her second in histologic technology, awarded June 6.

Second Lt. Jennifer Machado, the graduation’s commencement speaker and a former enlisted Airman, said earning her CCAF degree was the first step to receiving her commission in 2016.

“Your CCAF is just a start, a milestone, a huge accomplishment and proof of what you can obtain if the effort is put forth,” she said. “My CCAF degree opened the door to obtaining my bachelors, but I didn’t stop there.”

The CCAF offers 67 specific degree programs and associate degrees in aircraft and missile maintenance; allied health; electronics and telecommunications; logistics and resources; and public and support services. The program combines the technical education offered by Air Force schools with a core of general education from regionally accredited civilian institutions, and management education from Air Force or civilian sources.

The CCAF is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools through Air University.