Vice President for Business and Finance and Treasurer
Donna A. Lee
Vice President for Student Affairs
Faye F. Tydlaska
Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing
David H. Lord ’69 ’71MBA ’16H
Secretary
rOllins cOllege
The Hamilton Holt School
COMMENCEMENT
TWO O’CLOCK, SATURDAY AFTERNOON, MAY NINTH TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX IN THE 141st YEAR OF THE COLLEGE
WARDEN ARENA
HAROLD & TED ALFOND SPORTS CENTER
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE CLASS OF 2026
PROCESSIONAL
CONVOCATION
Rick Goings ’12H Chair of the Board of Trustees
INVOCATION
The Reverend Dr. Harold Dorrell Briscoe, Jr. Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life
PRESENTATION OF HONORS
Donald L. Davison
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Walter E. Barden Outstanding Teaching Award
Daniel and Kyle Riva Distinguished Faculty Award
Maria Ruiz Memorial Award for Thesis Research
Outstanding Graduate Student in Counseling Award
Outstanding Graduate Student in Strategic Communication
Kappa Delta Pi Award
Outstanding Graduate Student in Human Resources Award
Sublime, Forte, Magnanimum Award
Dean’s Leadership Award
PRESENTATION OF OUTSTANDING GRADUATING SENIOR 2026
Lauren Smith
Dean
OUTSTANDING GRADUATING SENIOR REMARKS
Jeannine C. Saady
PRESENTATION OF OUTSTANDING MASTER'S GRADUATE 2026
Lauren Smith
Dean
MASTER'S GRADUATE SPEAKER
Gary McKechnie
CONFERRING OF DEGREES
Brooke Barnett
President
ALMA MATER
Chloe Cabney '26
Sarah Flores '26
Stephanie Matthews '26
Kate Reilly '26
Mikaella Romero '26
Sebastian Sanchez '26
Michael Sinell '26
BENEDICTION
The Reverend Dr. Harold Dorrell Briscoe, Jr. Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life
RECESSIONAL
MARSHAL OF THE COMMENCEMENT
Brooke Barnett
President
MARSHAL OF THE HAMILTON HOLT SCHOOL
Jenn Manak
FACULTY MARSHALS
Stacey Dunn
Matt Forsythe
Kip Kiefer
Kathy Rovito
Samuel Sanabria
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CANDIDATES
Amy Armenia
MUSIC
Bagpipe selections performed by James Holton
The Rollins Brass Ensemble directed by John V. Sinclair
AwArds
WALTER E. BARDEN OUTSTANDING TEACHING AWARD
This award is presented on behalf of the student body to a member of the faculty who has demonstrated innovation and creativity in teaching and responsiveness and commitment to adult learners.
DANIEL AND KYLE RIVA DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD
This award is presented to a full-time faculty member who has exhibited outstanding service to the Hamilton Holt School and a commitment to adult learning as demonstrated through research, teaching, and/or service.
MARIA RUIZ MEMORIAL AWARD FOR THESIS RESEARCH
This award is presented to the student who best exemplifies Dr. Ruiz’s focus on controlled and rigorous data collection to inform treatment decisions.
OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT IN COUNSELING
This award is presented to the graduate who has been nominated by the faculty and fellow students for outstanding academic ability and scholarship, contributions to the department and to student colleagues, commitment to the profession, and promise of career achievement.
OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT IN STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION
This award is presented to the graduate student who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, innovative thinking, and a commitment to excellence in the field of strategic communication. The recipient embodies the core values of the program through their ability to craft compelling narratives, develop impactful strategies, and apply ethical communication practices across diverse platforms and audiences.
KAPPA DELTA PI AWARD
This award is presented by the Lambda Kappa Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an honorary society in education. It is awarded each graduation to the outstanding graduate student in teacher education as determined by course work and, if applicable, accomplishment in student teaching.
OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT IN HUMAN RESOURCES
This award is presented to the graduate who has been nominated by faculty for outstanding academic ability and scholarship, contributions and commitment to the field of human resources, and advancement of the industry.
SUBLIME, FORTE, MAGNANIMUM
Ceterum unum studium vere liberale est, quod liberum facit. Hoc est sapientiae. "One study alone is truly liberal, that which makes a person free. This is of wisdom, an elevated, mighty, and great-souled study.” This award is presented to an outstanding graduate in the Master of Liberal Studies program.
DEAN’S LEADERSHIP AWARD
This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership while enrolled at the Rollins College Hamilton Holt School. The recipient of this award shows a commitment to the College and its mission, engagement in various aspects of campus life, exemplary service to the College and its communities, and leadership that transcends self and position.
OUtstAnding schOlAr AwArds BY PrOgrAm
This award recognizes undergraduate students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and engagement in their particular field of study.
Business Management
SHENANDOAH A. MERGAN
Elementary Education
SANDRALEE RODRIGUEZ NIEVES
Humanities
KARLIE G. CAGGIANO
Music
STEPHANIE MATTHEWS
Psychology
JEANNINE C. SAADY MYLLA SANTEE SAMAROO
Outstanding Scholar awards by program were presented at the Legacy of Excellence Awards on April 24, 2026.
SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER
A sign language interpreter will be available for this ceremony. Hearing-impaired patrons requiring priority seating are asked to contact a member of the Event Staff.
The international flags displayed on stage represent the countries of citizenship or origin of our graduates. Honors are tentative and based on the student’s cumulative grade point as of April 25, 2026. Honors eligibility will be finalized after the student’s final grades are recorded. Some students participating in Commencement may have unmet or incomplete degree requirements.
Scan the QR code to see the names of the 2026 senior donors whose generosity impacts every aspect of life on campus.
Extensive efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of this program. Rollins College regrets any omission, misspelling, or other error.
Bachelor of arts
ETHAN M. ANDERS
Economics
THOMAS SHANNON BOHNÉ
Elementary Education
Magna Cum Laude
JACK E. BOND
Business Management
AUTUMN R. BOWMAN Humanities
CHLOE R. CABNEY Music Cum Laude
KARLIE G. CAGGIANO Humanities
ABBY JESSIE CALDERON CAMPOVERDE
Business Management
Magna Cum Laude
CALCIA CALVIN
Elementary Education
Summa Cum Laude
ADRIANA CARRILLO
Psychology
BRADLEY SPENCER CASE
Business Management
TIMOTHY WILLIAM CODY
Business Management
Magna Cum Laude
JANSEY DARANI
Communication Studies
LINDSAY B. DeCARLO
Communication Studies
KOLLIN N. DEMBECK Music
STEPHANIE DUNPHY
Elementary Education Summa Cum Laude
SARAH NICOLE FLORES
Music
SERGIO ARMANI ANDERSON GASKIN
Communication Studies
JABARI GRAY
International Affairs
SHANNAE L. GREENE
Business Management
CHYAN R. HUNTER
Communication Studies
Magna Cum Laude
MAXIMILIAN U. JENTSCH
Business Management Cum Laude
SARAH CLAIRE KELLEY
English
ALEXANDER F. KOUSSEV
Business Management
BROOKE VIOLET LAURIN
Communication Studies
REBECCA S. LESSA
Business Management
DOMNITA MAIGUT
Business Management
AMARILIS MALAVE ACOSTA
Elementary Education ANA P. MARTINEZ
Business Management
MARIA SOFIA MARTINEZ BARREIRO
Business Management
Cum Laude
STEPHANIE MATTHEWS
Music
Summa Cum Laude
BRYCE McCLURE
Business Management
RUTH AVA McCLURE
Economics
CHRISTOPHER M. McELDERRY
Business Management
SHENANDOAH A. MERGAN
Business Management
MARCUS D. MILLER
Communication Studies
Cum Laude
SAVANNAH NISSEL
Business Management
COLBY V. O'BRIEN
Business Management
BRANDEN XAVIER PERALTA
Music
MADELEINE PLUMEY-CRUZ
Communication Studies
MARISSA MONA POWERY
Communication Studies
ALEJANDRA I. QUINTANA
Humanities
DANIEL QUINTERO PADILLA
Business Management
ELIZABETH V. RAMNARAIN
Business Management
SHELBY REARDON Humanities
AMETHYST KATE REILLY
Music
Summa Cum Laude
ALBA S. REZAK
Communication Studies
SHEILA S. RIBEIRO
Elementary Education
VICTORIA RIBEIRO LIMA
Psychology
IVAN DARIO RIOS JR.
Communication Studies
Magna Cum Laude
MICHELE OLMO RIVERA
Elementary Education
Summa Cum Laude
XAVIER DEVON ROBINSON
International Affairs
MORGAN A. RODERICK
Health Services Leadership
CENELLY RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ
Elementary Education
Summa Cum Laude
HADASSAH SHARON RODRIGUEZ
Elementary Education
SANDRALEE RODRIGUEZ NIEVES
Elementary Education
Summa Cum Laude
DOUGLAS A. ROJAS MARTINEZ
Business Management
CAMILA ISABEL ROLON MARRERO
Psychology
MIKAELLA ROMERO
Music Cum Laude
WILMARYS ROMERO
Psychology
Magna Cum Laude
JEANNINE C. SAADY
Psychology
Summa Cum Laude
NATHAN MAURICE SACAGIU
Business Management
MYLLA SANTEE SAMAROO
Psychology
Summa Cum Laude
SEBASTIAN SANCHEZ
Music
Summa Cum Laude
MICHAEL THOMAS SINELLI
Music
Magna Cum Laude
ANNETTE L. STALCUP
Elementary Education
Summa Cum Laude
CHRISTINA STEELE
Elementary Education
Magna Cum Laude
HARRINARINE SUKLAL
Business Management
MICHAEL TRAIL Psychology
JAY MARIE VELOZ Psychology
JAMARIUS VERDEJO
Business Management Cum Laude
BAUTISTA VERGARA
Business Management
NINA TALIYAH WASHINGTON
Elementary Education
HEYLEY CHRISTINE WESTCOTT Psychology
DELANO WILSON Health Services Leadership
ALEXA PAIGE YARDIS International Affairs
FACULTY DIRECTORS 2025-2026
In recognition of their commitment and dedication to academic excellence and rigor in undergraduate programs.
DORAGNES BRADSHAW
STACEY DUNN
MATTHEW FORSYTHE
JOHN GRAU
ANGELA GRINER
PHIL KOZEL
NANCY NILES
DAVID PAINTER
TIMOTHY PETT
KATHY ROVITO
ANNE STONE
Master of arts
(Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science)
GEORGINA J. CAMMARATO
GLORIA ESPERANZA CASTRILLON LOPEZ
SIYI DUAN
DAVID V. DUONG with Honors
DANIELLA NICOLE FRONTE with Honors
MARISA A. HURLOCK with Honors
COLE S. JAHNA
CALVIN KOCIENDA with Honors
EVAN MICHAEL LIPSKY
GWYNETH ALEXIS MORRIS
EMILY A. PALO
Faculty Graduate Director: Stephanie Trauschke
Master of arts
(Clinical
Mental Health Counseling)
KARISHMA R. BASANT-PRASHAD
SARAH L. BOCKHORST
EMILY RUTH BRYANT
JENNA DEVINCENZO
MORGAN FENTON
JULIANA GAMBA
MIKAYLA MARIE GARDNER
ERIKA F. LANE
GENESIS M. LENIS CARRERAS
ISABELLA ROSE LEVENHAGEN
EVELYN JANE MACDONALD-WILSON
ALEXANDRA PAIGE MCCRARY
JUANITA MEJIA
MADYSON M. MORGRET
AMANDA MARIA ROUX
GABRIEL SILVA
KELLY ANNE TIMMINS
ANDREA VOGELER
Faculty Graduate Director: Derrick Paladino
Master of arts in strategic coMMunication
SARAH ALI with Honors
KIMBERLY ANN AMARAL with Honors
ANDREW T. CLARK
ROBERT C. CLARK with Honors
GIULIANA ALMEIDA De SOUZA
BIANCA GISELLE FILONI with Honors
MIKKEL SKONNORD FODSTAD
EVELYN GRACE GERMER
SHANTECE G. GONZALEZ with Honors
QWANZAA Q. GREEN
OMAR MAXIMILIAN HOGLE
ELDRINE S. JACKSON
JULIA EMIN MARINO
WHITNEY STEWART MACMILLAN with Honors
JIMENA NIÑO BOUCHAN
DAVID A. PEREIRA
BRYCE K. ROBINSON
KYLIE JORDAN SMITH with Honors
JADEN MAE WALKER with Honors
SARA WEAVER with Honors
JESLYN SHANE WHITEHEAD
NICOLE ANDREA ZEVALLOS VARGAS
Faculty Graduate Director: Rachel Winter
Master of arts in teaching
ALESSANDRA S. DE LUCA with Honors
JONATHAN L. GARCIA
LUANA S. HOLMES with Honors
JANICE R. JONES-SMITH
Faculty Graduate Director: Jenn Manak
Master of huMan resources
CHLOE BELKNAP with Honors
JACOB DAVIDSON BURR
ZARIA ALICIA CLARK
ELIZABETH HELEN D’ADDIO
ASHLEY LAURA EDDY with Honors
MICHEL HOELSCHER ARTA KANANI FAR
LEO JOSEPH LEMIRE II
PAMELA JEANNE PIERCE with Honors
ELISYA AWILDA-MARIA ROSA with Honors
LAURA ROZEN with Honors
CAROLINA VALENCIA with Honors
Faculty Graduate Director: Kip Kiefer
Master of liBeral studies
SHARON ELAINE PAPA ALEXION
MADISON RENEE BROWN
KAROLINE S. KNIEL
GARY PHILIP MCKECHNIE
MARCUS MOSQUERA
BEPPY LANDRUM OWEN
MICHAEL S. PHILLIPS
JESSE SEARS WALKER
Faculty Graduate Director: Todd French
Master of PuBlic health
MARSHA LORRAINE BIEN-AIME
SAUDIA H. FERDOUSI
SILVIA M. GHABOUR
MOHAMMED M. HOSSAIN
TEMWACHI MPHANDE
KATELYN ELIZABETH PAUTSCH
KECIA N. PURANDA
ELIZABETH MARY SMITH with Honors
CARMEN VERONICA VELARDE
Faculty Graduate Director: Kathy Rovito
Beyond excellence ProgrAm
This year marked the launch of Beyond Excellence, a new leadership development initiative made possible through Rollins College's prestigious Thomas P. Johnson Distinguished Visiting Scholar funding. This program expands leadership engagement opportunities for our students and reinforces Rollins' commitment to developing principled leaders who create meaningful impact in their organizations and communities. The graduate listed below and wearing a white cord with the commencement robe has participated in the Beyond Excellence Program.
TEMWACHI MPHANDE
Acknowledgments
FLAG AND BANNER BEARERS
Award recipients honored as flag and banner bearers:
KARLIE G. CAGGIANO
ABBY JESSIE CALDERON CAMPOVERDE
SHENANDOAH A. MERGAN
SANDRALEE RODRIGUEZ NIEVES
BEPPY LANDRUM OWEN
JEANNINE C. SAADY
MYLLA SANTEE SAMAROO
AlPhA sigmA lAmBdA
Alpha Sigma Lambda’s aim is to recognize the special achievements of adults who accomplish academic excellence while facing competing interests at home and work. It is dedicated to the advancement of scholarship and recognizes high scholastic achievement in an adult student’s career. By so doing, this Society encourages many students to continue toward and to earn associate and baccalaureate degrees.
Through leadership born of effort, both scholastically and fraternally, Alpha Sigma Lambda inspires its candidates to give of their strengths to their fellow students and communities through their academic achievements.
ABBY JESSIE CALDERON CAMPOVERDE
CALCIA CALVIN
CHYAN R. HUNTER
MARIA SOFIA MARTINEZ BARREIRO
MARCUS D. MILLER
ELIZABETH VANISHA RAMNARAIN
CENELLY RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ
JEANNINE C. SAADY
MYLLA SAMAROO
CHRISTINA STEELE
NINA TALIYAH WASHINGTON
AdministrAtiOn
LAUREN
SMITH Dean
DORAGNES RIVERA
BRADSHAW Assistant Dean
BRIAN
BARILONE
Director of Transfer and Graduate Admissions
JETAIME ROLLAND Director of Student Services
DEBBIE TATUM Senior Academic Advisor
KHYLA LAWRENCE Academic Advisor
rOllins cOllege
The Hamilton Holt School
2025-2026 Board of advisors
SAMANTHA BRADLEY
Area Vice President | FL, GA, NC Randstad USA
ALAN GINSBURG Chairman AHG Group, LLC
SUSAN PORCARO GOINGS ’78 Chairman & Founder World Youth Clubs
SARAH E. GRAFTON
Managing Partner and Senior Wealth Manager Grafton Wealth Advisors
DEREK GREGG
Executive Vice President of Operations Robins & Morton
WILLIAM C. JONES
Senior Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager Truist Bank
VIRGINIA P. JUSTICE ’11MLS Faculty – Retired Rollins College
TYLER T. KIRBY ’92 Partner and Chief Marketing Officer Baker Barrios Architects
PATRICIA A. LANCASTER, PhD Dean Emerita of the Hamilton Holt School Rollins College
MOLLY F. LOSEY ’08MA, LMHC Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Life Coach Winter Park Psychotherapy and Life Coaching
GARY MOSES ’16MBA Vice President, Banking Center Manager First Horizon Bank
Rollins’ eighth president, Hamilton Holt, is one of the most important figures in College history. Under his leadership, the College implemented curriculum innovation and financial and institutional development, and earned national recognition.
Holt graduated from Yale University and engaged in graduate study in sociology and economics at Columbia University. Although he completed the course work for a Ph.D., he preferred pursuing a career as a journalist to writing his doctoral dissertation. Holt became editor of The Independent, but failed as its publisher because of his unwillingness to sacrifice editorial independence to satisfy his advertisers. He was an advocate for reform—working for racial and economic equality, preservation of democracy, and world peace. Following World War I, he toured the U.S. in support of American membership in the League of Nations.
Holt was elected president of Rollins in 1925, and held that office until 1949. His philosophy of education was student-centered and pragmatic. He wrote, “We must revert to simpler methods, fewer rules, less emphasis upon information for its own sake, and more upon linking the subject studied with the life of the individual studying it.” With these ideas in mind, Holt actively led the development of Rollins into one of the best, and most experimental, institutions of its time.
Rollins won national attention for its Conference Plan, which abolished traditional lectures and brought teachers and students together to share the learning experience around conference tables—a practice the College retains today. In 1931, education philosopher John Dewey came to Rollins to chair a national curriculum conference, and the resulting recommendations were soon implemented as well.
Many discovered the progressive nature of the College through Holt’s unique “Animated Magazine,” an ingenious lecture and presentation series. Through his extensive contacts, Holt was able to bring many notable statesmen, scholars, and artists to campus. Presidents Roosevelt and Truman visited the campus during his presidency.
Holt was also responsible for establishing the distinctive Spanish-Mediterranean style that characterizes campus architecture. The Knowles Memorial Chapel and the Annie Russell Theatre, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places, were constructed during Holt’s presidency. One of the most visible of Holt’s contributions to Rollins is the Walk of Fame, with its collection of stones from the birthplaces and homes of world leaders, explorers, scientists, authors, artists, philosophers, and others. Holt considered the Walk of Fame an “ancestral walk” where individuals of great renown might find enshrinement. It is a fitting legacy of a great man.
The Hamilton Holt School of Rollins College celebrates President Holt’s commitment to challenging education, faculty who love to teach, and the individual student’s growth and development.
Research by Ryan Hudnall ’04
’15MLS and
Susan Orr
’02
AcAdemic Attire
The traditional pageantry of an academic procession, such as the one that opens today’s Commencement, is one of the impressive spectacles of our time. Its significance is attested by the array of handsome gowns and vividly colored hoods worn by members of the Board of Trustees, the Faculty, and other officers of the College. These display the symbols of scholarly attainment.
The earliest illustrations of gowns worn at Oxford University in England somewhat resemble cassocks worn by English teachers who found good use for the hood, or cowl, as protection against weather. The American system of academic heraldry indicates the level of a degree, the field of study in which it was earned, and the institution by which it was granted.
The American mortarboard, derived from the soft Oxford cap, is black. Its tassel, for holders of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees, is usually black, although gold tassels may be worn by holders of doctoral degrees and heads of institutions. The tassel is worn on the right side of the cap by undergraduates, on the left by holders of bachelor’s and higher degrees.
It is the hood that provides academic regalia its color and offers the most information about its wearer. The silk lining of the hood bears the color, or colors, of the degree-granting college or university; its velvet facing reveals the color assigned to each area of study. The doctor’s gown may bear velvet trimming on the front and sleeves—such as dark blue for Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). A few institutions, mostly overseas but some in this country, authorize the wearing of colored robes, departing from the traditional black and brightly displaying the official colors of the university.
The Rollins College faculty regalia represent degrees from more than 200 different colleges and universities. The velvet edging degree colors include:
White: Arts, Letters, Humanities, Communication Pink: Music
Drab: Business, Commerce, Accountancy
Copper: Economics
Light Blue: Education
Brown: Fine Arts
Purple: Law
Lemon: Library Science
Dark Blue: Philosophy
Sage Green: Physical Education
Peacock Blue: Public Administration
Salmon Pink: Public Health
Golden Yellow: Science
Scarlet: Theology
Each student graduating today will be honored with the Rollins College hood featuring the blue and gold colors of the College inside the hood and the individual degree color on the edge of the hood. Colors of degrees presented by Rollins College include:
