Tuesday, May 19 , 2026
To Our Graduates and Guests
There are moments in the life of an institution that arrive only once. Today is one of them.
For 99 years, this institution has gathered its graduates and sent them into the world under different names, in different eras, but always with the same fierce belief in the power of education to transform lives. Today, we do so one final time as New Jersey City University.
Congratulations, felicidades, welcome, and bienvenidos. Today, you take your place in history, not just as graduates of New Jersey City University, but as the final class to earn that distinction. And what a class to be. I am proud to join you and your loved ones to honor the impressive achievement of earning a degree from this institution.
But this year, this moment carries a weight and a wonder unlike any before it. When the New Jersey State Normal School at Jersey City was established in 1927, few could have imagined that its modest halls would evolve into a vibrant urban university. For nearly a century, we have evolved, changing names, expanding horizons and charters, widening access, and welcoming generations of determined students just like you. New Jersey State Teachers College at Jersey City. Jersey City State College. And since 1998, New Jersey City University. Each name a chapter. Each chapter a promise kept.
And now, our campus will evolve once more. This summer, we formally become Kean Jersey City, joining with Kean University to write the next chapter of this institution's story. Our fifth evolution in 99 years. Each name a reflection of our enduring commitment to serve the changing needs of our community.
And today, in this arena, in this moment, you are the last class to earn a degree under the name New Jersey City University. That is not a small thing. That is history.
This moment is personal for me in ways that go beyond the podium. When many of you arrived on this campus as first-year students, I was beginning my own journey as your president. We have walked these years together, through challenges,
change, and growth. Today, for the fourth time, I have had the privilege of standing before a graduating class and witnessing the fulfillment of everything this university promises its students. But this time is different. This time, we reach the finish line together. Your story and mine, woven into the same chapter of this institution's history.
And yet, what has never changed — through every name, every charter, every era — is the spirit of the students who have walked through our doors. Whether you cross the stage today with an undergraduate, master's, or doctoral degree, today’s ceremony represents both the culmination of this journey and the dawn of your next chapter. Many of you will continue your education, start businesses, enter our community's classrooms and hospitals, protect our neighborhoods, or step into the workforce as the next generation of leaders. The path that brought you here was your own — and it was not easy.
Earning a degree is never a simple undertaking, but the journey our students navigate is often paved with exceptional challenges that would derail many others. Many of you, like me, are breaking generational barriers as first-generation college graduates. You have balanced demanding jobs while pursuing academic excellence, raised families while writing papers, cared for loved ones while studying for exams, and overcome financial hardships while never losing sight of your goals. This unparalleled tenacity distinguishes NJCU graduates in the workforce and in life. Today, we celebrate not just your academic achievement, but the indomitable spirit that turned every obstacle into a steppingstone.
The name on your diploma will one day belong to history. But what it represents — the late nights, the sacrifices, the breakthroughs, the community that carried you — that belongs to you forever. You are not just the final class of New Jersey City University. You are the living legacy of every name this institution has ever carried, and the bridge to everything it is becoming. What you became here does not disappear when the sign on the building changes. It goes with you; into every room you enter and every life you touch.
So, as we look forward to what comes next — for this institution and for you — I ask only this of you: Be more than accomplished. Be accountable. Be more than successful. Be of service.
Embrace your community. Advocate for justice. Use your education not only to advance your own lives, but to expand what is possible for others. Be actively engaged in our shared humanity because the world you are entering demands not just talent, but your courage and conscience.
Embody our motto: "Enter to Learn, Exit to Serve." Not as a phrase but as a responsibility. Never forget the roots that grounded you, the community that believed in you, and the university that shaped you. Carry New Jersey City University and this campus close to your heart, always.
So, go. Go into a world that will test you, that will not always recognize you, that may, at times, underestimate you. Go anyway. Go with the strength forged in these halls, with the memory of every sacrifice that made this moment possible, with the unshakeable knowledge that you are ready. You are the bridge between what has been and what will be, the final class of one name, the living carriers of its future.
So, step forward now. Not asking for permission but answering a call. A calling to serve. To lead. To build where others have abandoned. Choosing courage when comfort would be easier. Let your lives bear witness to the truth this place has always known: that from these streets, from these classrooms, from this community greatness is not given, it is built.
Carry this university not as a name, but as a promise. Carry it in how you show up, in what you build, in who you lift as your climb. And wherever life takes you, let it be said that when your moment came, you did not shrink, you did not settle, you did not forget who you are or where you come from.
You rose. And in rising, you carried us all with you. Thank you, Class of 2026!
With admiration, affection, and pride,
Andrés Acebo, J.D. President
Raphael Salermo, Chair
Natalie Brathwaite, Vice Chair
Carlos Lejnieks
Michael Prilutsky
Jenny Davis Toth
Irene Trowell-Harris, ’71, R.N., Major General USAF, Retired
Luke Visconti, Past Chair, '13 (Hon.)
Board of Trustees
Ex Officio
Andrés Acebo, J.D., President
John Donnellan, DPS, MBA, Faculty Representative
Peter Hernandez, CPA, NJCU Foundation Chair
Student Trustees
Branda Logan, ’26 (Voting)
Emeritus Trustees
Marilyn Williams Bennett, ’71, M.A., ’75, M.A.
John J. Moore, ’56, J.D., L.L.M.
NJCU Foundation Board of Directors
Peter Hernandez, Chair
Edward O'Connor, Vice Chair
Jeffrey Martinez, Treasurer
Ashley L. Atkins, Secretary
Andrés Acebo, J.D., President (ex officio)
Carol Cuadrado
Lizette Delgado-Polanco, Executive Director (ex officio)
Will Eaves
Nicole Leon
Stephanie Lezcano
Jose Lozano
Rolando Murillo
Joseph Nyamwange
Adam San Miguel, ’18
Timothy White, ’99
Judith Wodynski, ’76, ’77 M.A.
2026 Senior Class Officers
Menatalla Nosear
Senior Class Officer
Ian Astacio
Senior Class Officer
Vedi Patel
Senior Class Officer
Eman Hermas
Senior Class Officer
2026 Student Government Association (SGA)
Andrea Izaguirre, ’26, President
Jenibelle Rosario, ’26, Executive Vice President
Chiamaka Adibe, ’26, Vice President of Internal Affairs
Ivanna Ramirez, ’26, Vice President of Finance
Senior Class Response
Gabriella Martinez , ’26, B.A. in Secondary Education & Mathematics
Processional Mace Bearer
Presiding
The National Anthem
Program
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, Land of Hope and Glory Edward Elgar
John Donnellan , DPS, President, University Senate
Andrés Acebo, J.D., President
The Star-Spangled Banner, by Francis Scott Key
Amiah Edmondson, ’26, Byron Flores Jr., ’26, Janayah Jones, ’26, Sydney Millevoi, ’26, Katrina Rada, ’26, Leonor Valencia Ramos, ’26, Mathew Segovia, ’26, Tatyana Serrato, ’26, and Nebula Vidal, ’26
Musical Piece
You Learn, by Alanis Morissette Musical Theatre Workshop
Greetings Welcome
Recognition of Alumni and Class of 1976 and 2001
Student Reflection
Pia Stevens Haynes, Ed.D., Acting Vice President of Student Development & Community Engagement; Dean of Students
Andrés Acebo, J.D., President
Pia Stevens Haynes, Ed.D.
Gabriella Martinez , ’26 B.A. in Secondary Education & Mathematics
Presentation of Presidential Medallion
Andrés Acebo, J.D., President
Suraj Kaufman Founder and CEO of Sneaker Room and the Sneaker Room Foundation
Conferral of Honorary Degrees
Andrés Acebo, J.D., President, and Raphael Salermo, Chair, NJCU Board of Trustees
Jorge A. Plasencia
Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Republica Havas
Commencement Speaker
President’s Charge to the Graduates
Presentation of Degree Candidates
Jorge A. Plasencia , Entrepreneur, Business Leader, Philanthropist
Andrés Acebo, J.D., President
Esther Nir, J.D., Ph.D., Interim Dean, College of Professional Studies
Mary McGriff, Ed.D., Interim Dean, Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education
Jayadhurganandh (J.D.) Jayaraman, Ph.D., Interim Dean, School of Business
Scott Mittman, Ph.D., REM, CESCO, Interim Dean, William J. Maxwell College of Arts and Sciences
Acceptance of Diplomas
Deans assisted by associate and assistant deans of each college
Conferral of Degrees
Alma Mater
Recessional
Andrés Acebo, J.D., President
Green and Gold, by Will Hayes, ’36, Ph.D., and Aubrey Kemper, ’36
Amiah Edmondson, ’26, Byron Flores Jr., ’26, Janayah Jones, ’26, Sydney Millevoi, ’26, Katrina Rada, ’26, Leonor Valencia Ramos, ’26, Mathew Segovia, ’26, Tatyana Serrato, ’26, and Nebula Vidal, ’26
Arsenal, Jan van der Roost Coronation March, Giacomo Meyerbeer
Paulo Acevedo
Glen Baker
Carlos Berdecia Giraldo
Louisa Best
Katherine Bourgeois
Nia Colon
Blaze Dallo
Adriana Mia Diaz
Izzy Diaz
Amiah Edmondson
Joe Edwards
Byron Flores, Jr.
Musical Theatre Workshop
Anne Hart
Jordan Hollies
Jay Jones
Emma Lindley
Lucas Marra
Matraka
Sydney Millevoi
Bryllz Paulino
Alicia Pavon
Jadon Phillips
Kat Rada
Zemirah Redmond
Emily Roda
Bella Roddy
Mathew Segovia
Michael Serra
Tatyana Serrato
Rebekkah Sharples-Schmidt
Aaliyah Thomas
Nebula Vidal
Athena Zemans
Marc G. Dalio, Coordinator of Musical Theatre
Golden Gothics
NJCU recognizes the graduates from the Class of 1976 who are celebrating 50 years and Class of 2001 who are celebrating 25 years since their own Commencements. In attendance at the 2026 Commencement are:
Class of 1976
Ms. Jeanette Barone ’76
Mr. Robert N. Cangelosi, ’76, M.A. ’96
Ms. Sandra Dabney, ’76, M.A. ’85
Mrs. Ann R. Kachmar, ’76, M.A. ’98
Dr. Jane Kachmar-Desonne, Ed.D. ’76
Mr. Zavier D. Mauldin, ’76
Class of 2001
Ms. Arly Agustin-Lisbo, ’01
Ms. Olanrewaju Alade '01, M.A. '05
Ms. Kilsys Almonte '01, M.A. '09
Mr. Isaac Docsol, ’01
Ms. Yatta R. Dukuly ’01
Mr. Patricia Fulkf, ’01
Mrs. Theresa Granato, ’01
Mr. Jamel C. Holley, ’01
Mr. Anthony Jimenez, ’01
Ms. Sakeenah Mungin-Scott, ’01
Ms. Melissa Nerahoo Pizzoferrato, ’01
Mr. Brian Rivieccio, ’01
Ms. Haydee Rodriguez, ’01
Ms. Thelma J. Santorelli, ’01
Mr. George E. Sills Jr., ’01
Ms. Shannell Williams, ’01
Mr. Albert Ziegler, ’01
Honorary Degree Recipient
Jorge A. Plasencia Entrepreneur, Business Leader, and Philanthropist
Mr. Plasencia is Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Republica Havas, a Miami-based digital- and mobilefirst advertising agency he co-founded in 2006 that has achieved sustained double-digit growth and earned global industry recognition, including being named Ad Age's No. 1 Independent U.S. Multicultural Agency. Following its partnership with Paris-based Havas Group, Mr. Plasencia also serves as Global Chief Client Officer for the Havas Creative Network, where he partners with key clients and helped launch Converged.AI, a global AI-powered platform integrating data, media, and creativity. In 2026, Republica Havas celebrates its 20th anniversary.
A Miami-born Cuban American from generations of entrepreneurs, Mr. Plasencia's early career included leadership roles with the Florida Marlins during their first World Series championship season and service as Vice President of Estefan Enterprises during the "Latin Music Explosion," working alongside global artists including Gloria Estefan and Shakira. He helped produce major cultural events, including programming at the White House and the Super Bowl XXXIII halftime show. Personally asked by Celia Cruz to organize her historic funeral services, he now serves on the board of the Celia Cruz Foundation.
Mr. Plasencia's philanthropic leadership is equally distinguished. At 17, he co-founded Amigos For Kids, now celebrating its 35th anniversary as one of South Florida's most enduring nonprofits. He serves as board chair of the Miami Dade College Foundation and on the boards of the 4As (American Association of Advertising Agencies), the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, and Aspen Conexión. A co-founder of the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute, he previously served as the first Cuban American and youngest board chair of UnidosUS.
His honors include the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, CEO of the Year from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the Friend of Brand Spain Award, and recognition among the most influential Floridians and U.S. Hispanics. A Miami Dade College Hall of Fame inductee, Mr. Plasencia holds a bachelor's degree with honors from Barry University and completed the Advanced Management Executive Program at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. His journey from Miami-born son of Cuban exiles to global business leader and committed philanthropist reflects NJCU's enduring values of perseverance, service, and the transformative power of opportunity.
Presidential Medallion Recipient
Suraj Kaufman Philanthropic Leader, Entrepreneur and Community Advocate
Mr. Kaufman is Founder and CEO of Sneaker Room, a Jersey City-based sneaker and lifestyle brand he built from the ground up into a nationally recognized name rooted in community. Building on that foundation, he launched the Sneaker Room Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on youth empowerment, education, health, and community wellness that has delivered large-scale giveback initiatives serving thousands of families across Jersey City and beyond — including back-to-school block parties, backpack and supply distributions, Thanksgiving turkey drives, annual holiday parades, and holiday toy giveaways.
The foundation has created lasting legacy projects within Jersey City Medical Center, including a dedicated waiting room at the Christie Kerr Women's Center established in memory of his mother, donations to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and the founding of the Green Apple Food Pharmacy to address food insecurity and chronic health conditions. Mr. Kaufman also opened the Sneaker Room Annex at Middle School #7, where teachers refer students in need to receive new sneakers as support and motivation to improve attendance, behavior, and academic performance.
Deeply invested in education, Mr. Kaufman authored and teaches a proprietary entrepreneurship curriculum titled BEST (Business Entrepreneur Student Teaching), now in its second year within the Jersey City Public School system. He awards scholarships in his father's name to support students pursuing higher education, and his philanthropic reach extends internationally through giveback initiatives in Puerto Rico and India and strategic collaborations with global brands including Nike and Adidas, and cultural figures including Victor Cruz and Kyrie Irving. He serves as Treasurer of the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation and as a member of the Board of Trustees at Jersey City Medical Center.
His dedication to merging entrepreneurship with social responsibility — and his unwavering commitment to Jersey City's youth and families — reflects NJCU's deepest values of service, opportunity, and community. Born and built in Jersey City, Mr. Kaufman's story is one this community knows well — and one that will inspire NJCU graduates to measure their own success by the lives they lift along the way.
DEGREE CANDIDATES
This list is not official. It contains the names of candidates whose degrees are contingent upon completion of final degree requirements.
*August 2025 Graduates
**August 2026 Tentative Candidates
***Honors Program
Master of Business Administration
FINANCE
Business Analytics
Desamparados Fabra Crespo*
Andrew Ralph Grasso
Reina Hoxhaj
Misako Kono
Uma Rani Kunapareddy
Camila Salomon
Finance
Karla Alondra Barzola
Gabrielle Oksana Betina Berry
Chrissie Alissa Cadet**
Michael Adelsio Capellan
Keyla Damaris Cedeno
Joe Y. Kayser**
Johana Lisset Montes Garcia
Sebastian Morales*
Jelani Azikiwe Ptah Jr.
Maria Yoakim
MANAGEMENT
Health Care Management
Yasmine Dorrielan
Shajeeah Jan*
Natasha Lene' Jefferson
Alexander O. Ozojie*
Melissa Reyes
Ghada Saleh**
Fatima Mounira Wattara-Ehoura
Supply Chain and Maritime
Port Management
Dharmi Manishkumar Shah
MARKETING
Sergio Nicholas Martinez*
School of Business
ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
Ijeoma Ruth Anakwenze
Alexi Agramonte**
Jose Barriga Gonzales
Krista Noelle Bartko*
Tyvera Jauvel Bryant
Sergio A. Chucaralao
Claudia Ciaccio
Jelissa Cynthia Diaz
Yocasta Mercedes Diaz**
Hessemond Charlene Fiegolo
Michael John Groskranz
Tiffany Nicole McClary**
Amanda N. Ortega-Guthrie
Jason Plaksin*
Marlon Cristian Plasencio
Karen Stephanie Segovia
Halima Shifa**
Jahshae Ráyvòn Stewart
Giada Zorzan
Master of Science
ACCOUNTING
Accounting
Aymee Juliana Delgado*
Alexander Williams*
Accounting and Analytics
Jarelys Abad
Nour Eddine El Cadi
Andrea Estrella
Emani Janay Givens**
Jordan Raphael Johnston
Alaina Padmé Lucret
Richard John Malia
Ranen Banting Maramot
Desiree K. Pereira
Shirley A. Perez
Marilou Ruby Perez
Jazmine Nitta Pierre
Khushboo Prakash
Laura Vargas
Alexander Vogiatzis
George Vogiatzis
FINANCE
Business Analytics and Data Science
Olatoye Kabiru Agboola
Khadijat Oyindamola Alabi
Eris Corbaxhi
Elaine Monique Ennis
Sushma Swaraj Ganapathi
Victoria Rebecca Johnston
Parneet Kaur
Sajja Mainali
Erika Montoya
Avtar Singh Panwar
Junior Peralta
Pearl Pillai
Muhil Ravichandran
Alba Margarita Reyes**
Salman Siddiqui
Haniben Thakkar
Miguel Andres Toro Martinez
Ahmed Faraz Vohra
Grace Yeung*
Business Information Systems
Atia Aktar
Mirna M. Botros**
Financial Risk Management and Compliance
Temitope Oluwaseun Babalola Sr.
Financial Technology
Malika Jeanine Ashley
Amgad Hanna Noshy Elkamos Bernaba**
Nam Soo Cho
Shivani Sushilkumar Khot
Jeramiah Dupri Lyons**
Yash Patel
Nuresha Rasanjali Perera
Arman Sandhu*
Idaraobong Deborah John Udoeyop
Bachelor of Arts
Frank Almanzar
Destiny Alexus Duhaney*
Violet A. Orellano
Bachelor of Science
Osman Abdelhamid*
Ramez Nashaat Abdelmassih
Leymi Leandra Abreu Rosario
Chantelle Cristina Adames
Joshua Eligio Adames
Hana Agarrouj
Nathan Steve Aguilar*
Anayah Aiken
Mohamed Ait-Oufquir Cum Laude
Justin A. Aldeano-Shirer**
Kevin Monteiro Alves**
Magna Cum Laude
Paulina Alzate Ramirez
Anthony Gabriel Amaya
Emily Andrade Cum Laude
Moraa M. Angwenyi
Anais Aramburo*
Michael Araujo**
Emely Michelle Arias*** Cum Laude
Chancellor Julius-Ofori Asamoah**
Ian Astacio**
Sherif A. Attia Sr.
Magna Cum Laude
Briana Aviles
Ahmad Zidan Awawda
Zaheer Aziz
Domingo Anthony Batista* Cum Laude
John Bautista
Christopher J. Bautista**
Asiya Unnisa Begum Jr.
Magna Cum Laude
Genesis Beltre Caraballo***
Joni Rafael Benitez
School of Business
Gary Paul Berkowitz*
Jaime Betancur**
Yana Sanjay Bhikadia
Tim Joel Biang
Jose R. Blackburn
Roman Boukpessi*
Alyssa Marie D. Broas
Justin Anthony Brockman
Jackeline Ailene Brockman
Isaiah L. Bueno
Romance Buie**
Anthony Busjit
Magna Cum Laude
Melissa Javier Bustria
Carlos Andres Caicedo Jr.
Lisa Matilde Camacho
Magna Cum Laude
Ismael J. Camara**
Kevin Adilson Campos*
Claudia Lisbeth Canales II
Neila Stephanie Cantave**
Summa Cum Laude
Cinthya Carchi Llapa
Luisa Yadira Carranza
Kerry Anne Casey
Karen Castaneda**
Pamela Laribet Castillo
Bismark Antonio Chevalier**
Jair Chicas
Christian Collado**
Anthony Concepcion
Cum Laude
Francheska Cruz*
Maria F. Cumbe
Aline Da Silva
Cum Laude
Dana Mayerly Damacela***
Amudalat Danmola
Kristen Taylor Davis
Jon Manuel De Jesus*
Maria Belen De La Cruz
Andre Dean
Fatou Diop
Steven Alexander D'Oleo
Irene Dominguez**
Icela Doroteo**
Shaoxiong Duan
Magna Cum Laude
Thiago Duarte De Souza
Juliana Enriquez**
Cum Laude
David Erazo**
Angela Espinal
Domenico Esposito
Josh Esteban***
Magna Cum Laude
Egbe Etta-Ashu***
Summa Cum Laude
Raymond Nagoziem Ezike Jr.
Cum Laude
Jinhao Fan
Magna Cum Laude
Omnia Farag
Sasha Fernandes
Kimberly Fontan
Ize Francois
Vanessa Galindo**
Cum Laude
Rui Gao**
Cum Laude
Andy Garcia
Vanessa Garrido
Ta'keria Y'monie Gaskins
Cum Laude
Raven Shavon Gates
Avante Gilbert**
Anasimon A. Girgis
Tina Gleason
Danilo Gomes
Rosa Idalia Gonzalez
Summa Cum Laude
Ambar Mayte Granda**
Klarissa Brianne Grund***
Cum Laude
Jared Edison Heleno
Reyanna Shante Henderson
Endrein Hernandez Mayers*
Zuleyma Arely Hernandez
Ashiya Jackson
Ivena Martine Jean Louis**
Sarah Jean-Baptiste
Carlos Jimenez-Mendoza**
Mar Julia*
Kanan Mohammad Kanan*
Jasleen Kaur
Robert Donovan Kellner
Zahier Kenny
Moheed Sheraz Khan**
Abdul Rafay Khan**
Priya Devi Kissoon
Giorgi Kopaliani
Cum Laude
Kishan Rajesh Kuvadiya**
Summa Cum Laude
Luis Alfonso Laing
Nicole Kimberly Lamboy-Rosario**
Dominic Lapelosa*
Katherine Lara
Omar Law**
Angelo Joseph Gulmatico Lazaro
Cum Laude
Kaitlyn Pinto Leitao***
Tiankuo Li**
Summa Cum Laude
Denver Ryn Lo
Cum Laude
Branda Addai Logan***
Herminsul Lopez Navas
Magna Cum Laude
Alaina Padmé Lucret*
Jeremy Lugo Taffanelli
Kierra Marie Lugo**
Jaydin Lawrence Mahon III
Richard John Malia*
Genesis Marcelo
Magna Cum Laude
Quamir Khalil Martin*
Crisleidy Martinez
Amanda Matta**
Shanya Mcgeachy
Carol Mclean
School of Business
Tamyah J. Mcneil**
Magna Cum Laude
Rochet I. Medina
Brianna Evelyn Melanson
Magna Cum Laude
Kerolos Nour Henen Youssef Meleka
Cum Laude
Denisse Cristal Mendez*
Adrian Samuel Mendez
Maximiliano Mendiburu
Janeth Michel Mendieta Hernandez
David Meneses
Cum Laude
Sandy Messeh
Marina S. Milk**
Mairage Mir
Cum Laude
Ayha Y. Mohamed
Ahmed Samir Mohamed
Trusha Sachin Mohod**
Summa Cum Laude
Brianna Molina
James Delyl Mompoint**
Ramon Morales
Gisela Moreno Carrancio
Vanessa Lesslie Munoz
Andrew Nour Nakhla**
Cum Laude
Dian Narine**
Merna Bolbol Nazim
Nancy Nesmith - Mitchell**
Joseph Noel Nieves Jr.
Cum Laude
Donia Hamed Nowar**
Paul O. Olajide
Toheeb Olasumbo Olaniyan
Deborah Oluwatunmishe Olatunji*
Leah Victoria Olivieri
Summa Cum Laude
Nadeen Osman**
Luis Andres Pacheco
Bryan Joseph Padilla
Eda Angelica Palacios
Patricio Jack Lafontant Pamphile
Amanda Kailie Papamanolis
Shawn Roody Pascal*
Paolo S. Pasquali
Benita Pastor
Mihir B. Patel
Magna Cum Laude
Priyankkumar Patel**
Sohaben Chiragkumar Patel
Daniel Pereira
Summa Cum Laude
Kenny Perez*
Jonathan Ryan D. Perez
Carlos Perez**
Elainy Pichardo**
Cum Laude
Jarrett Isaiah Pinckney*
Ana Clara Pinheiro Borges
Magna Cum Laude
Pinky G. Purification
Natalia Marie Quintero
Ashley Ann Ramphul**
Maria Magdalena Remiszewska
Luis Santiago Reyes Alberto
Ashley Ameli Reyes- Gonzalez***
Ruben Dario Reyes Jr.
Joselyn Julieth Reyes**
Ebraam A. Riad
Cum Laude
Gina Sarah Ricci**
Nikolaos Dimitrios Rigos
Evanny Nicole Ripley** ***
Joseph Aedan Rivelli
Juan Victor Rivera
Briseyda Rivera**
Jose E. Robles-Santana
Katya Nayeli Rodriguez
Raphy Junior Rodriguez*
Emelyn Rodriguez**
Michelle C. Rodriguez
Angel Alexis Rodriguez
Mariel Valentina Rodriguez**
Magna Cum Laude
James Marlon Rojas Jr.
Genesis Kaitlin Rojas**
Felix Romero*
Cristina Rosado
Cum Laude
Jenibelle Rosario***
Magna Cum Laude
Andrea Ross**
Nathan Russell**
Vivian S. Saenz-Guallpa*
Kaela Angela Mico Salazar
Nathaniel Samuel
Homero Junior Sanango
Andrew Josue Sanay
Kobi-Lee Sanchez
Magna Cum Laude
Pilar Sanchez**
Karla Cecilia Sanchez-Hernandez
Jorge Sarquez
Rutvi Nareshbhai Savaliya*
Reham Sawah Sayed
Halimatou Sadiya Seini
Dave Senatus**
John Lawrence Shahdanian III
Nicole B. Sierra
Monika Anna Sikora
Joselyn Nicole Simbana
Daisy Simon*
Cum Laude
Dersheni Singh**
Summa Cum Laude
Tiger Shivam Singh
Magna Cum Laude
Harmanpreet Singh
Magna Cum Laude
China Star Smalley*
Shanikia P. Smith*
Kuvira Sooknanan
Mychelle Amya Sosa
Maydelin Almudena Soto Miranda
Maicon Francisco Soto
Samantha Costa Sousa
Magna Cum Laude
Aiden Cole Staines
Salah Subeh
Shantala Suchit**
School of Business
Brieann Tishawn Sullivan
Badi M. Sumakeita
Samantha Kelley Taylor
Sarah Jodami Theodat
Denise J. Thomas-Gasbarro**
Harold Andres Timaran*
Magna Cum Laude
Stephany Marie Tobon*
Antonella Trinidades
Samuel Vasquez
Frank Enrique Vazquez
Julieta Valeria Veiga**
Darien Joel Victorino**
Punit P. Vyas
Jillian E. Werner*
Tasheca Shavelle Williams***
Joshua P. Wilson
Hakeem H. Wilson**
Florinel Yagyagan
Andrew Palacio Ypil
Mohammed Kazim Zaidi
Magna Cum Laude
Yuru Zhou**
Nadhir Zidi
Doctor of Science
CIVIL SECURITY LEADERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND POLICY
Beatrice Atobatele
Veronica Lizette Challenger
Robert T. Diaz
Ishmael Kwawununu
Chandregowda Pachegowda
Virginia Mayo Policarpio
Timothy Chad Stover
Niloufer Adil Tamboly
College of Professional Studies
Master of Science
CYBERSECURITY
Alan Akins
Md Khorshed Alam
Edwin Carbajal
Beauchard Destouches
Rimon Kamal Hanna
Md Tarek Hasan
Khalil Jenkins-Newcombe
Mohamad Ali Kawtharani*
Mark Keenan Maldonado
Enest Methasani
Adelaja Bolatito Oyesanya
Temiloluwa Adesujibomi Oyesanya
Sagar Anilkumar Pancholi
Pedro Pablo Posligua
Robert J. Scire
NATIONAL SECURITY STUDIES
Information Assurance/Cybersecurity and National Security
Matthew John Hutchinson
Information Assurance/Cybersecurity/ Corporate Security and National Security
Kailyn Capellan
Luis Angel Gonzalez
National Security Studies
Lauren Filingeri*
Anthony John Marketta
Amir Gamal Mohamed
Tajudeen Opeyemi Odejoke
Anna Patricia O'neill
Zachary Spiegel
Michael Alexander Wilson
Franklin Yagual
National Security Studies and Corporate Security
Kendrick Shawn Casareo
NURSING
School Nursing
Nicole McCann Alvarez
Leah Barcelos
Danielle G. Benbow
Gianna Lee Bove
Guirlande Larame Daurilas**
Tehmina Islam
Nicole Johnson
Jane Mary MacMahon
Misti Martin
Regina Christine Migliara
Noelia C. Payano
Amanda L. Peras
Danielle Else Rooney
Gabriella Rose Sluka**
Rachael Suarez**
Shamirah Tucker
Maria Viniam
Bachelor of Science
Ahmed M. Aboushady
Omar Zakaria Abukafyeh Summa Cum Laude
Nicholian A. Adderley
Barnabas Awinbilla Adombire* Summa Cum Laude
Waleed Ahmad** Fattan Ahmed
Fernando J. Alvarenga
Aidan Antor
Gineth Andrea Arias Martinez Magna Cum Laude
Dolagi S. Asaad** Cum Laude
Samah Awawdeh Jr.
Daryll Shawn Bachmeyer
Eric Joseph Baetiong Summa Cum Laude
Ameera Baksh
Mariangela Barahona Cum Laude
Frank Bare
Mellanie Lizbeth Barrios
Summa Cum Laude
Jaelynn Amerie Barrios Cum Laude
Martin Etmael Beltran*
Andy Angel Beras
Miguel Antonio Blunt
Nyla Emon Boyd*
Kimberly Y. Brites-Zavala
Taurean Brown
Nasir Darnell Burns
Jonathan Caballero
Carlos Calder
James C. Camilleri**
Edward Mendes Cardoso Cum Laude
Kimberly Y. Carranza
Valentina M. Carrasquel
Edwin Carrera**
Alex Casais
Cum Laude
College of Professional Studies
Abigail Chela Castro
Roxana Floricel Castro
Cum Laude
Pratt Charles**
Salome Chkheidze
Summa Cum Laude
Christopher Choate Jr.
Summa Cum Laude
Sirell Nasir Clark
Dwayne Kevin Clement
Amanda Tomasita Colon Cum Laude
Kyara A. Cowan
Michael William Cross*
Danard Cunningham
John Franco Curreri
Victor Almeida De Souza
Cum Laude
Zahira Delgado
Cum Laude
Joseph Robert Dembrowski*
Cum Laude
George Diaz Jr.*
Tiffany Diaz*
Mame Diarra Dieng
Jessica Michelle Digristina
Ashish Kumar Duggal Cum Laude
Salma Eddahiri
Shaza Elamin*
Khlood Elbanna**
Nathaly Mishelle Erraez
Sofia Isabella Estevez
Bailey Erin Fearon
Megan Taylor Feeley
Melissa Marie Fernandez**
Gabriel Emilio Fernandez*
Nawal Fiaz
Tabitha Fleurant-Pascal
Ariana Flores-Ortiz**
Connor Freeman
Magna Cum Laude
Evelin Fuentes Sanchez
Summa Cum Laude
Joseph Anthony Gagliardi
Summa Cum Laude
Rafal Gajko
Magna Cum Laude
Loranny Aida Garcia*
Jennifer M. Garcia
Rosmery Garcia*
Oliver Maxwell Garcia
Summa Cum Laude
Ariana Garro Chaves
Cum Laude
Alexandre Ghvinepadze
Magna Cum Laude
Dean Patrick Giannakopoulos
Georgii Gogokhiia
Magna Cum Laude
Meilin Patricia Gomera
Cum Laude
Mateo Gonzalez**
Yoswany Gonzalez**
Danny Gonzalez*
Trevor Micheal Gordon
Juliana Sophia Gorecki
Magna Cum Laude
Ian Thomas Gray**
Tyrell Gregg
Ana Belen Guevara***
Cum Laude
Alec-Brandon I. Hawes*
Jonathan Henriquez
Magna Cum Laude
Derick Aaron Heredia
Megan N. Herrera**
Kevin Hobbs**
Cum Laude
Ziasia B. Holmes
Shawn Hurtado
Magna Cum Laude
Anri Iremadze
Summa Cum Laude
Saba Jalagonia
Natalia Jaramillo-Garcia
Magna Cum Laude
Myron L. Jefferson
Magna Cum Laude
Sebastian Jimenez**
Sebastian Jimenez
Paris Jade Johnson**
Trenton Rahzel Johnson
Summa Cum Laude
Ashley G. Juarez Reyes Cum Laude
Stephen Kane
Beka Kevanisvili
Summa Cum Laude
Brian Atef Kodous
David Douhorey Lago**
Justin Lallo
Summa Cum Laude
Brandon Lasserra
Manuel Gonzalo Loayza Vera
Summa Cum Laude
Davit Lomidze
Summa Cum Laude
Katyelle Lopes Da Silva**
Shaila Lopez
Elizabeth Louise Mahler*** Cum Laude
Madison Victoria Maisonet-Diaz
Davidjose Malave*
Magna Cum Laude
Tyema Renee Manning**
Sophia Lyn Mannino***
Zane'yah Jakurah Mansfield*
Pedro A. Manzanares
Magna Cum Laude
Stephanie Yasmeen Maradiaga
Josely Martinez
Emily Itzel Martinez
Yuli Natalia Martinez***
Stacy Martinez
Yurisbel Mateo**
Summa Cum Laude
Miranda Matos Ramirez Cum Laude
Logan James Mazziota**
Michael Aaron Mcgehee
Ryan Joseph McGuire
College of Professional Studies
Davit Mechitashvili
Summa Cum Laude
Shantell Mejia
Arianna Suheily Mejias*** Cum Laude
Ariana Nicole Mejias
Summa Cum Laude
Otto Miguel Michelen*
Abraham Millan Jr.
Marina Millett** Cum Laude
Desron Lamont Mincey*
Caitlyn Minier***
Adrianna Michelle Montas Garcia
Nikoloz Mujirishvili
Summa Cum Laude
Saba Naroushvili
Summa Cum Laude
Andrew Justin Nathaniel Cum Laude
Aila Nicole Newton
Summa Cum Laude
Daniel Joshua Nieto
Jonathan Donald Oliver
Oluwatofunmi Ayomiposi Oni
Samantha Elizabeth Ortiz
Summa Cum Laude
Lucas Osiecki
Cum Laude
Karen Nayeli Pachacama
Jennifer Palma*
Cum Laude
Vanessa Manalo Pangilinan**
Amisha Ashok Patel
Magna Cum Laude
Vaisu Kartikkumar Patel**
Summa Cum Laude
Hiya Kalpesh Patel***
Armari Zaire Paula
Fraidelys M. Paulino
Nicolas F. Peccerelli
Summa Cum Laude
Lucy Janeth Pelaez
Rubiela Marie Pena
Steven Pereira
Magna Cum Laude
Isabella Pietroski***
Angel Alexandre Quindes
Summa Cum Laude
Jennifer P. Quizhpi***
Jacqueline Lisette Ramirez
Magna Cum Laude
James Thomas Rath
Cum Laude
Lofsna Raymond
Giovanni Stephan Read
Alvin Chris Resurreccion
Itzel Reyes
Jessica Rivera*
Gabriela A. Rodriguez
Cum Laude
Maya Ayiana Rodriguez**
Jakob Rodriguez*
Eglys Romero
Natalie Rosales
Cum Laude
Jayden A. Rosario
Lucas Elier Rosario-Rodriguez
Amer Samir Said
Cum Laude
Robert Enrique Sanango*
Gerardy Luan Sanchez
Steven Sanchez
Sweta Sanghavi
Summa Cum Laude
Ruth Carolina Sanipatin*
Jennifer Cecilia Santos Flores
Magna Cum Laude
Karina Serrano
Cum Laude
Alejandra Sewell
Gabriella Sharpe**
Amanda Smith
Cum Laude
Shakayah Samantha Smith**
Sarafina Solomon
Magna Cum Laude
Vladimir Starikov**
Cum Laude
Alesha Lia Steffens
Magna Cum Laude
Zarah Marie Stewart
Summa Cum Laude
Giorgi Tabatadze
Summa Cum Laude
Sofia Takaishvili
Summa Cum Laude
Nika Tavasoli
Magna Cum Laude
Crystal J. Tepale
Luka Tevdoradze
Summa Cum Laude
Casandra Thomas
Raquel Julissa Thompson
Samuel Lamar Toney**
Emilie Torres
Kevin Santiago Torres
Summa Cum Laude
Judy Ann Toussaint***
Desire Trowell**
Dolma Tsering**
Tinatin Tvildiani
Summa Cum Laude
Matthew James Udis**
Nathaly Silvana Vaca
Armando Valdez
Summa Cum Laude
Lorraine Valenzuela
Jose C. Vargas
Dilsson Vargas
Summa Cum Laude
Henry Velazquez Jr.
Michael Velez
Hannah Marie Velez*** Cum Laude
Abhirami Venkatram
Summa Cum Laude
Gerard J. Victor***
Angel Alfredo Villavicencio
Ryan Villegas***
Summa Cum Laude
Eman Wy'zae Williams*
College of Professional Studies
Dyshawn Williams
Amir Williams
Andrew J. Wilson** ***
Christian Yousef
Cum Laude
Witmayll Zidor
Valid Ndangariro Ziweni* Cum Laude
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Aarinola Akinduyi* Cum Laude
Benewaa Amankwa*
Reymi Katherine Artiga*
Johnny Barrios*
Nathan Carl Blond*
Paola Bodano*
Cum Laude
Althea Broomfield*
Meribeth A. Carias
Christine Chen*
Tyler Comerford*
Magna Cum Laude
Alice Cloe Cordero*
Shirmane Rose Cordova-Chahu*
Toyosi Craig*
Gabriella Stephanie Dosmas*
Valerie Osaseri Egharevba*
Cum Laude
Morgan Lee Feazell*
Lemar Jared Ferguson*
Sharaunda Shonell Fiedtkou*
Angela Gessner*
Julia Rachel Goodwin*
Marjorie Nicole Guevarra*
Amethyst Renee Hall*
Chana Michelle Homnick*
Yessenia Hoyos*
Cynthia D. Jones
Summa Cum Laude
Ajla Karalic*
Yara Khalul
Rodolfo Val Laya*
Brittany Victoria Longo*
Magna Cum Laude
Samantha A. Martin*
Anitta Mathew*
Rachel Mercado*
Allyson Mae Meyers*
Cum Laude
Isabella Emily Minucci*
Nidia Mabel Montan*
Sarah J. Moon
Summa Cum Laude
Christian Moon
Brianna Kayla Moonsammy*
Cum Laude
Mohamed Moussa*
Hope Margit Nilson*
Summa Cum Laude
Emmanuel Owino Owuor
Oluwapelumi Oyenike Oyedeji*
Jenaria Palao
Magna Cum Laude
Klaudette Anne Arizabal Perez*
Jessica Maria Rivas*
Cum Laude
Bianca Guerline Roseau*
Shalem Adriana Santa Cruz*
Habibatou Sow*
Ahuva Strimber*
Emily Katharine Sweeney*
Monica Tabago*
Christina Leigh Trezza*
Cum Laude
Jensen Vaughan*
Kayla V. Wade*
Bryanna Nicole Young
Noelle Ann Zweidinger*
Cum Laude
Doctor of Education
Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP
Patricia Mo-Shanda Dennis
Caralee Jean Gately
Lisa M. McLaughlin
Gizelle Minervini
Safa Muhanna
Himani Nigam
Christina Dannette Pipkin
Sedar Fred Pougaza
John H. Sargent III
Winfield Thomas
Chassidy Williams
Jacqueline Zamora
Master of Arts COUNSELING
Grecia Faria Alves*
Esther Barsella*
Daisy Cecilia Campoverde
Rubi Skylar Cedeno Garcia*
Lamya Chouaikh*
Alexis Cole*
Xena Cristina Cruces**
Gia Antonia DeMonaco
Janibel Encarnacion
Jacquelyn Marie Gnassi
Joshua Aaron Goldberg
Tiffany Ann Goodwin
Kennedy E. Griffin**
Megan Rose Hanley
Kevin D. Haynes Jr.*
Michelle Ann Hernandez*
Jazmin Johnson**
Gabriella Lopardo
Nicholas Machado
Cheyenne Medina
Brendan Joseph Minogue*
Richard Chase Moriarty*
Cesar G. Orozco**
Jasmine Patel
Bianca Maziel Paulino**
Brianna Serena Pitchford
Alexis Melanie Rivera**
Yusef Hinds Roach*
Wendy Janet Robles*
Aaron Joseph Rodriguez
Melissa Rosado
Sara Salguero
Silvia Serrano*
Joyce F. Sweeney*
Bazga Tanvir**
Mya Alanna Weems*
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Zehra Adil**
Melissa A. Bergh
Beverly Cecilia Berry*
Jessica R. Bishel**
Stevenson Demorcy**
Raquel Dumplet
Jessica A. Hoertel*
Kelli Anne Kallens
Alex Lawrence Locke**
Blake Lodolce
Rachel Lind Megdal
Samantha Nicole Mickens
Caridad Morales Nussa*
Jessica Mary Parsons
Neil L. Peller
Erin E. Pendergast
Rebecca Lauren Rose-Wood
Erica L. Rubio
Mia Styles*
Adam S. Tucker
Shannon Rodriguez Venos*
Adriana White**
Mark Richard Zdziarski*
LITERACY EDUCATION
Reading Specialist
Elaine P. Adragna*
Jacqueline Louise Browning*
Quincy Anna Creadick
Nora Jeanne Czarnomski
Elba J. Delgado
Anna Kate Henriquez
Taylor Paige Higgins
Takiyah K. Jackson
Maram Said Khalil**
Hamida Lettat
Alyssa Nicole Magliaro
Roshawna Renay Minault
Lauren Marie Minichiello
Katelyn Panaccione
Jennifer Quintano
Sydnie Madison Spitz
Melinda S. St. John
Katrina Wasserman
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Michael Christopher Lucchesi
Deysi Francisca Mendoza
Diane Raghunandan
URBAN EDUCATION
Administration and Supervision
Jade Benjamin
Bertha Helena Blackwell
Altamease S. Drummond
Iris Nereyda Hernandez
Sutanna C. Hued*
Mariah Quavellah Jackson
Vanessa McGrath**
Scott Ribinsky
Rosanna Stephanie Rodriguez
April Rose Sparacello
Bilingual/Bicultural Education
Gloria Leticia Elmorry
Edith Maldonado**
Christina Mannuzza
Marizol Quero
Filomena A. Tomba
Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education
English as a Second Language
Monica Paulina Alava
Saony Camilo
Monica Lee Del Rosario
Cledys G. Diaz
Keisy M. Fair
Simona Georgali DiFranco
Michele Lazzaro
Gloria Yamilet Martinez**
Hector Mendoza Jr.
Donna L. Nesheiwat
Christine E. Saleh
Teaching and Learning in Urban Schools
Mayssara Azouz
Richanne Cleopatra Barrett
Giselle Davila
Suman Jeet Kaur Gera**
Samantha Jeanne Griffin**
Neveen Jacob
Maria Del Mar Lopez**
Sofia Tin-Yan Mack Lee
Paul W. Maute
Najia Mjahad
Asima Nazneen Murtuza
Gabriel Russotto
Madelyn Del Carmen Ventura
Master of Arts in Teaching
SECONDARY EDUCATION
Hawraa Mohamad Jaafar
Jennifer S. Moy
Shannon R. Pezzato
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Nicole Arlene Borrome
Christopher Allen Braman
Jessica Lauren Cherego
Rosa M. Conenna*
Rachel Connolly
Sabrina Csatay
Clare Marie Dauder
Michael Edward Dec
Jesse Dembowski
Erica Duda
Aurel E. Durrant**
Susan F. Fanaras
Michael V. Germinario
Brian Govlick
Melissa Reilly Harris
Heather Hauck
Alexandra Lyn Havranek
Grace Hernandez
Amirza Hernandez**
Dawn J. Iadarola*
Adrienne Michelle Ingemi-Atger
Aileen A. Johnson*
Maria Kokiadis
Elizabeth A. Labat
Sunita Lokanadham*
David John Longenhagen III
Jennifer Elizabeth Maas
Nicole Renee Martinelli
Rachel Mato
Stacy McCafferty
Dionna Alexandra-Lajah Murray
Cortney Polania**
Jessica Reedy
Rebecca Reilly*
Josefa M. Reyes
Deborah A. Robinson
Edward J. Smith*
Katherine Stanley
Charles Andres Ta*
Heather I. Taylor
Jamie Torres
My Huyen Tran*
Christine Turanchik*
Edwin Vincent Whitfield
Ellen K. Willwerth
Madison Shawn Wilson
Bachelor of Arts
Nicole Estefania Collaguazo**
Angelina F. Dawson
Mina Farg
Summa Cum Laude
Jenna Lusquinhos Santos
Summa Cum Laude
Bachelor of Arts
Ahmed G. Arafa
Courtney Banoff
Magna Cum Laude
Bridget Theresa Benoit
Cum Laude
Ryan Joseph Caley***
Leah Castillo***
Magna Cum Laude
Linsey Castro Bonilla
Eric Cheng
Summa Cum Laude
Regina Lourdes Gonzalez
Cum Laude
Diago Machado
Cum Laude
Zolciree Marte
Magna Cum Laude
William J. Maxwell College of Arts and Sciences & Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Lylah Adalina Diaz Cum Laude
Umar Farooq
Bachelor of Music
Allan Bezama*
Gabriella Angelica Martinez***
Ihab Mohsen Habib Marzouk
Summa Cum Laude
Alex John Meyers
Maibel Rawy Nashed
Summa Cum Laude
Sierrah Nicole Ramsey**
Summa Cum Laude
Flabia J. Recinos Perez*
Erica Dayana Reyes
Magna Cum Laude
Alba Rachel Sanchez Caraballo
Jessica Varela
Gianna Alexa Vazquez
Magna Cum Laude
Meral Hani Wadea
Magna Cum Laude
Master of Arts
EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Joseph Anthony Bierman
Rachel Breton
Marina Samy Eshak
Katerina Karli Kostadimas
Emily Nichole Pina
Kevin Quang Quach
Ashley Morgan Smith
Taylor Monet Smith
Ashley Marie Sosa
Master of Fine Arts
ART
Johanna Elizabeth Foster
Stephanie Romano
William J. Maxwell College of Arts and Sciences
Master of Music
MUSIC PERFORMANCE
Francis Benitez
Jaime Daniel Chirinos
Jude Joseph Duane
Amiah Jade Edmondson
Noah Jacob Gruenberg
Isabel Jaime
Albert George Johnson
Kely Cristina Da Conceicao Pinheiro
Rosa Leonor Valencia Ramos
Professional Diploma
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY
Victoria Rose Avella
Dennys Falcon Jr.
Nahdiyyah Hogue
Kevin Quang Quach
Jennifer Verdina
Bachelor of Arts
Denise May Abadies*
Ahlam N. Abdelsheheed
Alexis Emir Abrego**
Magna Cum Laude
Elizabeth Acevedo Santana
Areeba Afzal
Serena Ahlsen
Shamael Ahmad
Sarah Aladly
Kimberly Esmeralda Alberto
Summa Cum Laude
Taren R. Allen*
Anita T. Alli
Hiliany Almonte
Summa Cum Laude
Demi Lee Altarriba** ***
Amina Aly**
Nancy Oquely Amaya
Cum Laude
Sherida Anderson
Summa Cum Laude
Jessica E. Angel
Marietta Angulo*
Mia Arcentales
Justin Arias
Andrea A. Arroyo*
Kaitlyn Noel Arroyo
Diana Asaad
Cum Laude
Syed Aman Asad
Cum Laude
Zunaira Ashraf Khan
Summa Cum Laude
Shahod Y. Augustin*
Talayeh Destiny Aviles***
Aghaby E. Ayoub*
Summa Cum Laude
Jordan Allen Banks*
Stephanie Barbosa
Cum Laude
Desiree Barbour
Winifred Barnes
Loammi Batres
Gabriel Bauta
Jasmine Becerril*
William J. Maxwell College of Arts and Sciences
Kristen Ann Belfiore
Summa Cum Laude
Uthman Bendaoud
Cum Laude
Veronica Joscelyn Benitez*
Mayra Bermeo
Magna Cum Laude
Shonda Borders
Monique Boss
Cum Laude
Jenea Joyce Brayboy
Anabel Brito*
Elijah M. Brown
Sonya C. Brown
Dominique Leslie Brown
Janiya Kayla Burgess**
Sophia Theresa Clare Burns
Summa Cum Laude
Jamila Veleas Burton**
Cindy Raquel Bustamante*
Desteny Marisol Calvo
Nathaly Lissette Campos
Tania Cherese Campos
Alana Campos Canares
Cassidy Cancio
Michelle Marie Canoura
Rashel Caraballo
Michelle Yolanda Carbo*
Cristiana Cardoso
Suzana Esther Caro
Magna Cum Laude
Timothy Philip Carter Jr.
Bailey Jean Cassell**
Joberto Jeje Casseus**
Jackeline Patricia Castaneda*
Cum Laude
Luis Castellanos
Juno Alexa Catral
Brianna Sally Celestin
Christine Cha
Annlyn Chang**
Pedro Alexander Chavez
Siraphob Chiradechachan
Yecenia Lailoni Clark
Peter Andrew Coar
Mackenzie Rae Coleman**
Cum Laude
Lauryn Felicia Cook-Maisonet* ***
Keith Lawrence Corpuz
Summa Cum Laude
Stefany Mariluz Cruz
Michaela Kaleen Cruz
Rosaida Cuevas
Tamika LaToya Cuffy**
Cum Laude
Deanna Currington
Summa Cum Laude
Taylor Marie Dalora
Cum Laude
Isaiah De Guzman
Yoselis De Jesus Minyety
Magna Cum Laude
Shanelly Amanda De Sequeira***
Julianna Deacutis
Duneshka Scarlet DeJesus**
Monet A. Dennis*
Chandanie Dhanraj
Cum Laude
Jassely Sarai Diaz*
Jonathan Jose Diaz
Chelsea Marie Diggs*
Nicole Marie Drayton**
Sabrina Duarte
Brionna O. Dunkley
Aya A. Elghereny Sr.
Samuel Joseph Elizarov*
Elshaymaa Mohamed Eltanbedawi**
Rabab M. Elzwahry**
Eunice Nnennaya Emenonye*
Nancy Eng
Judith Erdaide*
Magna Cum Laude
Mark Escobar
Jenna Marie Espedilla
Leslie Estevez*
Barbara Ann Estok
Francesca Nathaly Evangelista
Ledescia Maria Eversley Denny*
Cum Laude
Gennesy Fabian
Marina Ashraf Farag**
Nardeen Bassem Farag* ***
Cum Laude
Aiyanna Julian Figueroa-Taylor**
Franciele O. Flamengo
Cum Laude
William J. Maxwell College of Arts and Sciences
Jessica Flores**
Magna Cum Laude
Samantha Jo Galano
Magna Cum Laude
Yomaira Garcia**
John Andres Garcia*
Liz Johany Garcia
Angelica Maria Garcia Cum Laude
Amalia G. Gelpi**
Joseppe Gergues**
Joseph M. Gilmore Cum Laude
Ella-Mae Glowczynski
Linda Krizthye Gomes Rainho* *** Cum Laude
Daniel Gonzalez
Cum Laude
Emily A. Gonzalez-Portillo
Anthony Thomas Gould
Oscar Granados
Khalil Gray**
Daryl Mark Griffin
Mzima Grossett
Cum Laude
Yasmin Guardarrama***
Timothy David Guest*
Summa Cum Laude
Martina Guirguis
Summa Cum Laude
Rogina Nasri Hana II
Jenifer Harris
Brittney Imani Hatcher
Jahnae Aleaiah Hazard
Shantana Kemisha Henry**
Jessica Carolina Hernandez
Victoria Hernandez
Wilmer Roberto Hernandez*
Summa Cum Laude
Elizabeth Anne Hernandez*
Summa Cum Laude
Danay Herrera
Magna Cum Laude
Tarisha T. Hicks
Magna Cum Laude
Amina I. Higgs
Magna Cum Laude
Jason W. Hiles**
Summa Cum Laude
Karindu Mas'sai Hill
Italee Moet Hodge
Vivian Hughes***
Magna Cum Laude
Jamie Hyppolite**
Shakera Lucille Irby**
Serena Isaac***
Leigh Angeles Isaac
Summa Cum Laude
Andrea Surisaday Izaguirre***
Keith Jackson*
Robyn Nikkita Jaikaran
David Krishna Jaipersaud*
David Jaquez
Guerlandie Jean Pierre**
Melissa John
Summa Cum Laude
Joan Johnson
Ineisha Marie Johnson
Janayah Lynn Jones
Cum Laude
Aliyah Rashida Jones
Aji Binta Juwara
Jasmine Kapur**
Summa Cum Laude
Heba Karkar
Magna Cum Laude
Kaitlyn Elizabeth Kelly*
Cum Laude
Deborah Jean Kendall
Fatima Mubarik Khan*
Sean Martin Klores
Magna Cum Laude
Tyshia M. Knighton
Meriem Koudil
Magna Cum Laude
Lourdes Laboy
Janelle Larwa
Joseph Robert Lavadie
Cum Laude
Geraya Danayasha Lee
Noel Lima Jr.
Alan Gabriel Llugcha
Leslie Marina Lopez
Destiny Lopez*
Darien Alexander Lopez
Summa Cum Laude
Lisandra Lopez-Pichardo*
Summa Cum Laude
James P. Lorenzo
Cum Laude
Ramona Lozada
Katherine Luna**
Wenying Huang Mak
Magna Cum Laude
Miranda Morcos Iskander Makar
Summa Cum Laude
Kenneth Martin Maldonado
Devon Malloy
Summa Cum Laude
Fritz Arvy Q. Manalili**
Claritza Martinez**
Jose Daniel Martinez
Cum Laude
Massiel Alexandra Martinez
Veronica Martinez*
Cum Laude
Claritza Martinez**
Liliana Sasha Martinez
Jarren Mathis
LaVise McCray
Ladayja M. McDonald*
Gershom Chilyobwe Mcekeni**
Melody Madeline Mclain
Summa Cum Laude
Jorge Alexis Medina Mendoza*
Magna Cum Laude
Jenelle Bianca Mejia
David Edwin Melgar
Jordan Ashley Mendolla
Hector Javier Meregildo
Katelynn Maria Miles
Summa Cum Laude
Ashanti A. Mills
Chloe Mintah
Amaya Brianna Moncayo**
Cheryl Moore
Melanie Lauren Mora-Espinoza*
Vanessa Maria Morales
Karen Morales
Renice L. Morrell
Brice Nathan Morrison
Magna Cum Laude
William J. Maxwell College of Arts and Sciences
Duke Mseleku
Aja Mullins*
Aniyah Nilynn Mullins
Nevaeh Shadae Mustipher*
Nermin Nabil Nashed
Chastity Keyanna Nesbitt
Cum Laude
Jenifer Milagros Nolasco
Channell Elaine Norwood
Cum Laude
Alicia Mary Nostrame
Landy Odige
Ozioma Aonulika Okoro**
Quria Deamira Oliver**
Maria Enid Oliveras
Goodness Chizaram Onwuzurike
Onyinyechukwu Rita Onyeagusi
Nicole Orellana-Monsalve*
Karla Ortiz
Summa Cum Laude
Kwadwo Owusu Adusei**
Amanda Padron*
Katherine Pagan
Camille Esther Paiva**
Tatiana Pajares
Jada Nicole Palacios*
Brianna Palladino**
Summa Cum Laude
Asata Palmer
Tomasz Paluch
Summa Cum Laude
Nala Paraison
Jennylee Joan Parrales
Jayson Paulino
Cum Laude
Dyanne Alexandra Pelaez
Leandro Ariel Perez Lucas
Jennifer Diana Perez**
Yoselin Esmeralda Perez**
Yasmin M. Perez-Ventura
Maria Belen Perrotta
Nicole Ashley Persaud**
Gabriel James Petruziello
Ashley Nicole Pietrucha
Nayeli Pinton
Summa Cum Laude
Sondy Vinlio Polanco Jr.
Giselle Oliveira Prado
Nicole Pujols
Vhaashtay Ra El
Katrina Jean Rada**
Leslie Marie Ramirez
Cum Laude
Amanda Rasslan**
Jean D. Raymond*
Brianna Elizabeth Redondo
Cum Laude
Paola Michelle Reyes**
Teddy K. Reyes*
Magna Cum Laude
Yojana Abigail Reyes
Dianna Lyn Rich
Magna Cum Laude
Deasia Richardson
Veronica Rincon***
Cum Laude
Mai Tawfeeq Risheg
Cum Laude
Melissa Ann Rivas
Lewis Rivas
Herlyn Rivas
Aaron Rivera*
Tiffany Lynn Rizzi
Victor Antonio Roa
Alexander Piage Robinson*
Arianna Campos Rodrigues
Juan Rodriguez
Liyah Eliza Rodriguez
Damaris Elizabeth Roman
Xavier Luis Roman
Glenny Dashana Romero**
George A. Rosario Jr.**
Joshua Andrew Rosenthal
Jacilia Elise Rucker-Glasper
Sarah Valentina Ruilova* ***
Haley Ruiz
Mariela Anahy Saguay
Natalie S. Salameh
Cum Laude
Nancy D. Sanchez Escoboza
Cesar Omar Sanchez
Jessica M. Sanchez
Isaael Sanchez
Cum Laude
Jaida Janai Sanchez**
Ian Lloyd Sanchez
Magna Cum Laude
Ikman Sandhu
Jose M. Santana
Brenda Schustrin
Cum Laude
Madison Leilani Scott
Rebecca Rose Sears
Brenda Yanine Soriano*
Summa Cum Laude
Gabrielle Elizabeth Stanowski*
Jakeema Jamillah Stockling
Aricia Story**
Sonarri B. Stoudmire**
Jermaine Javon Stovall
Nadirah B. Stover*
Gabriel Jada Sutherland
Imelda Clarizol Sutuj
Magna Cum Laude
Carol Marie Swain***
Magna Cum Laude
Malaika Syed
Tran Tang
Harolyn Mercedes Tavarez
Ariana Taveras*
Chavelle A. Taylor
Johanny Terrero-Santana
Janiya Terry
Jennifer Toplean*
Gabriel Javien Torres
Raissa Toure**
Raquayya Amira Marie Towler
Fernando Manuel Trujillo
Summa Cum Laude
Emily Grace Tunney**
Britney Jocelyn Tzul***
Daniela Ulloa
Heidi Ivette Ulloa
Alice Stephanie Unzueta**
Demely Vargas
Cyrus Luis Vazquez
Leonela Sharline Velez
Blanca Nicolle Veloso
Magna Cum Laude
Frederick Veloz
Nebula Vidal***
Cum Laude
Sierra Ariel Vieira
William J. Maxwell College of Arts and Sciences
Savanna Dawn Vitale
Magna Cum Laude
Larry H. Walker
Nadirah Nicole Webb Sparks
Jada Elise White*
Amina White
Tynaisha Janae White
Meisha Jada Williams**
Essence Alisse Williams
Magna Cum Laude
Summer Chiani Wosu**
Binchao Yang
Martha Gabriela Zambrano**
Kristiana M. Zulaybar
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Rachel D. Alfonso*
Susana P. Barretto
Summa Cum Laude
Vianel Bonilla
Keiry Calero
Magna Cum Laude
Guillermo Carrion
Amaury Castro Canchola
Samantha Olivia Castro
Magna Cum Laude
Sofia Celio
Summa Cum Laude
Sarah Gabrielle Collins
Cum Laude
Nicole Corvi
Cum Laude
Deanna Day Cruz
Sophie Ilaria Cucco**
Ai'jhana Celina Cutler
Cum Laude
Zeyad Elshikh
Beshoy Ateef Erian
Corine Etienne***
Caitlin Taylor Feeley
Cum Laude
Francis Loreen Foster
Summer Fowler
Rocco Paolo Francisco
Summa Cum Laude
Alissa Fernanda Hernandez Acosta
Cum Laude
Pedro E. Jimenez
Lucy Beltran Jimenez
Cierrah Jamie Kelly
Isabelle Legaspi
Taina Skye Luna
Claudia Mancilla Zulueta
Magna Cum Laude
Namdi Nesta Maple*
Luis Anthony Martinez
Christopher Daniel Mcvicar
Cum Laude
Brianna Pacheco
Jacqueline Maria Poznanski
Summa Cum Laude
Juliette Reyes
Ingrid Giselle Rivera-Arellanez
Ashley E. Robinson**
Kaitlyn Rose Romeo
Diana Saintilme
Magna Cum Laude
Abagail Teresa Serrano
Summa Cum Laude
Brianna Shimer*
Maryana Wendoly Soto
Abraham Vasquez
Allison Irene Villhard
Magna Cum Laude
Dimoy Kahdia Wilson
Jessica Zarza
Mathew Lee Zurita
Bachelor of Music
Mateo Acosta
Parker J. Cheek Sr.
Kamila Iana Cuevas***
Marlon Dominguez
Peter Matthew Roefaro
Janine Nicole Salinas
Anthony Weaver***
Magna Cum Laude
John Wesley Woodards
Bachelor of Science
Mazhar Z. Abbara
Mohammad Mamdouh Aboubakr**
Salsabila Ibrahim Aboulalazm
Ikechukwu Osondu Achebe*
Chiamaka Adibe***
Cum Laude
Tatiana Aguilar
Dorothy Alcivar***
Cum Laude
Nyrohah Paulette Alvarenga***
Alexander Antonio Alvarez*
Kenneth Alessandro Amaya**
Mohammed Amran
Alana Enid Archer
Lea Abigail Arevalo
Daniela Beatriz Arpi
Muhammad Salman Asif
Cum Laude
Besime Aslan
Imrana Atique**
Masjidul Azad
Cum Laude
Noureldeen A. Badr
Milena D. Baidal**
Muhammed Balure
Magna Cum Laude
Naziha Djin Bamba
Summa Cum Laude
Brandon Naguel Barboza
Reymil V. Barsatan
Erika Lizbeth Bermeo-Yascaribay
Manerva S. Beskales
Veronica Zeliksson Cadena
Julian Caldejon** ***
Cum Laude
Angelica Calderon
Cum Laude
Glenn Calix
Christina Michelle Campoverde
Diego Andres Castellanos
Ashley Isabel Castillo
Fatima Y. Contreras
Arianne Cruz**
Vikas Damani
Maria Del Cielo Cuito
Laysa Mirelle De Almeida
Pedro A. De Lima
Cum Laude
Brian Steve Delgado
Cum Laude
Willy Diaz Ruiz**
Daron Richmond Dirshant
Amele J. Divo
Danny Dong
Cristian A. Duran Orellana
Briana Caridad Duran
Nahla Elnaggar
Ahmed Elsayed Elsayed
Cum Laude
Jhonatan Rafael Escobar Giron
Mina Magdy Faried
Edgar M. Fernandez
Shanté B. Foster***
Xyanna DaisyIris Fuentes
Kathryn A. Gadalla
Dayanne S. Garcia Reyes*
Rafael Alejandro Garcia
Gabriel Maximus George*
Cum Laude
Gabriella Estrella Gonzalez**
Lateef Ghaazee Graham
Antonio Felipe Hallenbeck
Aracelis Mila Hannah***
Ahmed Ashraf Hassan**
Eman Ahmed Hermas
Ngan Ngoc Kim Huynh
Summa Cum Laude
Kenan Simon James
Neida Jarana Perez* ***
Cum Laude
Christina Jeune***
Gosarika Kanchupilla*
Teresa Bonareri Keragita
Rakshaan Khan
Magna Cum Laude
Sarah Nicole Kunhardt**
Leon Isel Lawson
Kevin Lazo
Khang Duy Cao Le
Summa Cum Laude
Nahira Lenard
Xiomara Lopez Arias*
Christopher E. Lopez
Cum Laude
Luis Antonio Lopez**
Kinza Maqsood**
Cum Laude
Jayden Martinez**
Brian Mandela Matoke
Prince Mayani
William J. Maxwell College of Arts and Sciences
Esdras Mendez**
Beshoy Samuel MA Mikhael**
Summa Cum Laude
Mikhaiel Mikhaiel
Sarah Miltaha
Muhammad Nauman Mobin
Magna Cum Laude
Mohamed A. Mohamed
Andrea Munoz**
Aya Nahil
Summa Cum Laude
Dancan Mwaura Njogu
Menatalla S. Nosear**
Patrick Akonam Nwabunie Jr.
Prince Nwegbu
Franklin Manuel Ochoa
Joshua Uchechi Odoemene***
Daniel Olubunmi Ogunsaju
Emmanuella A. Olajide
Ashley Namakwa Omoyi***
Chinoyerem Opara*
Nada Nasr Osman
Yousef Abdelrahman Osman*
Brandon Eduardo Padilla Jara
Robert Joel Paladines**
Vedi Patel***
Cum Laude
Pal S. Patel
Meer D. Patel
Swyam Nikulbhai Patel
Brian Andrew Pathirana***
Summa Cum Laude
Dalia Karina Poblano
Magna Cum Laude
Kritza Helanie Portillo
Anslei Andres Rabano Velasquez*
Sarah Rafie
Summa Cum Laude
Mateo Ramirez**
Sean David Ramkhalawan
Magna Cum Laude
Allyson Ramon
Alexander Raposo*
Cum Laude
Gladys Shantal Rebolledo**
Bilal Rehman
Ciara Brianna Riley-Fitts
Niraj Rimal
Mayra Milena Rodriguez Alava
Kevin Rodriguez
Sydney Raquel Salters**
Davie Sanchez
Summa Cum Laude
Karen M. Sawires
Derek Serpa**
Archi K. Shah
Tameshwar Shievkumar
Omairy Altagracia Suriel Nunez
Leonardo Suzana Mejia**
Farhaan Syed
Summa Cum Laude
Asmaa Zineb Taalba***
Daniel Tapia
Jonathan Taylor
Karen Jazmin Urena Cruz**
Mark Valdehueza**
Cum Laude
Yorky A. Veras-Robles*
Sahil Walia
Gwane Iwin Williams
Tristan Henry Wolenski
Merit Ashraf Abdelmalak Yousef Jr.
Bachelor of Social Work
Diana Isabel Acosta
Hannah Precious Allen**
Summa Cum Laude
Ciara Alvarado
Magna Cum Laude
Mohamed Bangura
Ebony L. Batts**
Rehab Bensaid
Summa Cum Laude
Nitalia Ophelia Booker***
Cum Laude
Teresa D. Boyd**
Alequa Jhelyce Brown
Rosaura Chimborazo Guaman
Magna Cum Laude
Wykisha Tamika Davenport-Lovelace
Cum Laude
Katherine De La Cruz**
Magna Cum Laude
Emely Janice Estepan Garcia
Cum Laude
William J. Maxwell College of Arts and Sciences
Katherine Jasmin Fuentes
Summa Cum Laude
Ginelba J. Graziano***
Cum Laude
Eshrak E. Hassan
Summa Cum Laude
Sasha L. Hernandez
Kelvin Holmes
Cum Laude
Tarwendpanga Micheline Ilboudo
Tnaisa Uneek Ingram**
Tiranke Kenema
Summa Cum Laude
Zahira Laanaoui
Summa Cum Laude
Lena Lloyd
Summa Cum Laude
Cayla Marrero
Sara Natalia Moyon
Summa Cum Laude
Lynda Nkem Nwanze Okosieme
Dilan Jhossuee Ojeda Angamarca
Angela Cristina Ordoñez Maldonado
Magna Cum Laude
Ivanna Fiorella Ramirez***
Cum Laude
Jocelyn Wendy Ramos**
Summa Cum Laude
Sha-Asia D. Ritchards**
Ivette Sondra Rivera
Cum Laude
Rhonda Cherise Robinson
Magna Cum Laude
Joy Rodriguez
Ankarwa Sajous*
Jessica C. Santos
Aaliyah Tidwell
Cum Laude
Samantha Alexandra Vargas**
Cum Laude
Ohemaa-Acheamah Young
Magna Cum Laude
Leslie Johana Zenozain
Magna Cum Laude
Educational Technology Leadership
Doctoral Dissertations
Patricia M. Dennis, ’26 Ed.D., School Libraries Leveled Up: Exploring New and Multiple Literacies
Caralee J. Gately, ’26 Ed.D., From Passive to Transformative: A PICRAT Case Study of Teacher Perceptions & Instructional Practices in Technology Integration
Lisa M. McLaughlin, ’26 Ed.D., Artificial Intelligence Policies in a Selection of High Schools in the United States: A Content Analysis of Ethics and Equity
Gizelle Minervini, ’26 Ed.D., Investigating the Effectiveness of FastBridge: A Mixed-Methods Study on Elementary Teachers' Perceptions and Benchmark Comparisons
Safa Muhanna, ’26 Ed.D., The Regulatory Divide: HIPAA, FERPA, and Interprofessional Communication in Student Support
Himani Nigam, ’26 Ed.D., Exploring Attitudes and Barriers to Virtual Lab Adoption in Grades 2–12: A Mixed-Methods Study of Teacher Perspectives
Christina Pipkin, ’26 Ed.D., Informal Learning in Online Support Communities: A Qualitative Study of Families Affected by Parental Incarceration
Sedar Fred Pougaza, ’26 Ed.D., Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Educational Transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa
John H. Sargent III, ’26 Ed.D., The Manifestation of Adult Education's Motivational Outcomes
Winfield Thomas, ’26 Ed.D.,
A Qualitative Inquiry into Project-Based Learning for the Pedagogy of Teaching Computer Science in K–12 Classrooms
Chassidy Williams, ’26 Ed.D., Barriers and Opportunities for Educational Technology in Juvenile Justice Settings
Jacqueline Zamora, ’26 Ed.D., Special Education Teachers' Perceptions of How Technologies Support Personalized Learning for Students with Disabilities
Civil Security Leadership, Management and Policy
Beatrice Atobatele, ’26 D.Sc., Predictors of Cybersecurity Effectiveness and Framework Adoption: Leadership Perceptions and Governance Controls in Airport Operations
Robert T. Diaz, ’26 D.Sc., Identifying Existing Barriers to Incorporating Other Public Health and Safety Datasets into the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)
Ishmael Kwawununu, ’25 D.Sc., Rural-Urban Migration and Flood Vulnerabilities in Metropolitan Ghana: A Case Study of Accra
Virginia Mayo Policarpio, ’26 D.Sc., Navigating Chaos: A Phenomenological Study of Cognitive and Affective Processes in Cyber Incident Responder Decision-Making
Chandregowda Pachegowda, ’26 D.Sc., Leveraging Generative AI LLMs for Phishing Email Detection: An Experimental Assessment and Comparative Analysis of the Effectiveness of Leading Generative AI Models
Timothy Stover, ’26 D.Sc., Leading Through Crisis: The Impact of Transformational Leadership on Employee Resilience in Public Institutions During COVID-19
Niloufer Tamboly, ’25 D.Sc., Human Centric Attributes as Dominant Determinants of Cybersecurity Incident Severity
Committee
Pia Stevens Haynes, Chair
Ana Aponte, Co-Chair
Ivelisse Takata, Co-Chair
Monica Almonor
Anna Carhart
Mary Caitlyn Deffely
Jose De La Cruz
Madelynne DelaRama
Victor DelValle
Paul Gargiulo
Ronald Hurley
Dylan Jackson
Natalie Mendez
Navin Saiboo
Michael Sims
Sohaib Talat
Ira Thor
Nadia Tini
Breaunna Whitehead
Volunteers
Monica Almonor
Ana Aponte
Michael Arbitblit
Angela Arriaza
Jennifer Arroyo
Betty Arzuaga
Danielle Bachant
Jose Balda
Kathleen Banks
Stephanie Burbano
Anna Carhart
Ivette Cruz
Gonfalon Bearers
EunSu Lee, Ph.D.
School of Business
Joshua Williamson, Ph.D.
College of Professional Studies
Commencement Committee & Volunteers
Luceand Cuba-Rivera
Loretta Davis-Murray
Mary Caitlyn Deffely
Madelynne DelaRama
Jose De La Cruz
Victor DelValle
Jeffrey Dessources
Barbara Drew
Damarys Escoto
Melissa Faulkner
Jorge Fernandez
Kelly Francisco
Rafael Gajilan
Elaine Gargiulo
Paul Gargiulo
Darwin Garrido
Robert Gonzalez
Kurt Grzyb
Steve Haber
Ronald Hurley
Maria Izquierdo Roe
Dylan Jackson
Shamara Lannaman
Sabrina Lopes
Jennifer Luciano
Jeramiah Lyons
Evelyn Masa-Villatoro
Diana McLean
Natalie Mendez
Ashley Merchant
Daniel Mervil
Sarah Najdi
Krystalie Ortiz
Ruth Ortiz
Chancey Page
Jennifer Rak
Christian Rodriguez
Christina Rolon-Velez
Rob Romeo
Daysi Romero
Navin Saiboo
Denys Sanchez
Anna Scanniello
Bernadette Schery
Erica Seitzman
Silvia Serrano
Michael Sims
Dominique Smith
Theresa Spataro
Matt Sutton
Hitomi Takata
Ivelisse Takata
Sohaib Talat
Ky'shon Tate
Carlos Tejeda
Nadia Tini
Geordana Vasquez
Crystal Gail Villavert
Kimora Wade
Breaunna Whitehead
Malvanie Williams
Joseph Yeck
Commencement Announcers
Ira Thor
Chancey Page
Allan A. De Fina, Ph.D.
Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education
John Grew, Ph.D.
William J. Maxwell College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) and CAS/Education dual-degree recipients
NJCU Ceremony
The NJCU Ceremonial Mace
“The Mace represents the home of learning surrounded by the human quest for discovery. It is an androgynous figure stretching around ancient pillars towards a crystal sphere of knowledge slightly clouded with mystery and still to be discovered universal magic. The Mace is crowned with a neogothic cluster symbolizing the power of creative passions in the service of universal peace. It is a scepter of our urban mission: bringing people together to challenge their future.”
Artist’s statement by Herb Rosenberg, MFA, retired professor of art, who created the Mace in 1987
The National Anthem
The Star-Spangled Banner
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Francis Scott Key, 1814
Alma Mater
Green and Gold, we honor thee, Symbol of our aim. Lead us onward to thy goal Ever for thy fame. All our hearts will ever hold Memories that are dear; And you always will remain Our alma mater, dear. Will Hayes ’36, Ph.D. and Aubrey Kemper ’36
The University Colors
“Green and gold are our University’s colors. In 1933, a flower garden graced a wide expanse of lawn between Hepburn Hall and the Boulevard. Mr. Otto Cordes, director of the Maintenance Department, took special pride in the yellow jonquils he planted. Mathematics Professor Foster Grossnickle, himself an amateur flower gardener, shared a love of the gardens with Otto. One day, admiring the gardens in full bloom, Otto remarked about the breathtaking contrast of the yellow jonquils and the deep green lawn. ‘Green and gold,’ he said. Foster liked the sound of this...and so our University’s colors were born.”
This historical sketch was related to Dr. Will Hayes ’36, who was a close friend of Mr. Cordes and Dr. Grossnickle
Gonfalons
The history of the gonfalon can be traced back to the medieval republics of Italy. A gonfalon was a type of flag or banner emblazoned with the personal coat of arms of a nobleman and borne on a staff. Noblemen would hang their
family gonfalon from their horses as they rode into battle.
In time, the gonfalon would hang from a crosspiece or frame as an ensign of state or high office. They were carried in medieval parades where the coats of arms of legion commanders were presented and used as rallying points in battle.
Gonfalons have been associated with pageantry for centuries. They are popular today at colleges and universities, where they are used at commencement and for many other institutional and ceremonial purposes. New Jersey City University’s four gonfalons, representing each of the University’s four schools and colleges, are used at every Commencement ceremony to lead degree candidates.
Academic Regalia
When universities were taking shape in the 12th and 13th centuries, they were under the jurisdiction of the Church. Most of those studying were clerics in Holy Orders, monks, or priests. They wore a habit or cloak attached to a cowl or hood. This could be pulled up over the head or thrown back according to the weather. Gowns were necessary for warmth in the unheated buildings, and hoods served to cover the tonsured head before using a skull cap.
Today, the academic costume of the cap, gown, and hood has taken on symbolic meaning. Colors and shapes conform to a generally accepted code and indicate the faculty conferring the degree and the kind of degree conferred. Gowns for the bachelor’s degree are worn closed and are distinguished by their long pointed sleeves. Master’s degree gowns are designed to be worn open. Consequently, they have very long sleeves, oblong in shape. Gowns for the doctoral degree, usually black, are also intended to be worn open and have velvet panels. Three velvet bars are stitched to the upper part of the full, bell-shaped sleeves. A fourth bar signifies the office of the presidency.
Academic hoods worn in the procession are trimmed with velvet of various colors to represent the following academic areas:
Arts, Letters, Humanities: White
Business Administration, Management: Light Brown
Education: Light Blue
Fine Arts: Dark Brown
Law: Purple
Library Science: Yellow
Medicine: Green
Musical Arts: Pink
Nursing: Peach
Philosophy: Dark Blue
Science: Golden Yellow
Social Work: Citron Yellow
Theology: Scarlet
The colored lining is the official color of the institution conferring the degree.