2026 Commencement Program | Graduate and Professional Education

V A N G U A R D

U N I V E R S I T Y

COMMENCEMENT 2026

GRADUATE & PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION F R I D AY, M AY 8

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2:30PM

MARINERS CHURCH, IRVINE, CA

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER DR. MELISSA J. ALFARO PhD in Rhetoric from Texas Woman’s University MA in English from Texas Woman’s University BS in Biblical Studies from Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Dr. Melissa Alfaro and her husband of 20 years are Senior Pastors of The Tabernacle (known as Tab Church) in Houston, Texas. She is an ordained minister with the Texas Louisiana Hispanic Network of the Assemblies of God. She is the Executive Presbyter representing ordained female ministers for the Assemblies of God and the National Leader of the Assemblies of God Network of Women Ministers. Prior to that, she served as the Ordained Under 40 Executive Presbyter (2017-2023). She is a preacher, educator, writer, and blogger and has had the privilege of collaborating with the Influence Magazine, My Healthy Church, and the AG Network of Women Ministers. She loves to chronicle her personal journey on her blog, Melissa’s Memoirs. It is her desire to help individuals have an intimate relationship with God, become rooted in His Word, and enjoy their journey as they live out their God-given purpose. Her greatest assignment and delight is being “mommy” to her beautiful children, J. David III and Jalissa Jael.

STUDENT SPEAKER

GRADUATE STUDENT SPEAKER

DEANNA WOODS Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology

DeAnna Woods is graduating with a Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Vanguard University of Southern California. A proud U.S. Army veteran, she served on active duty, including a combat deployment, where she developed a deep commitment to leadership, resilience, and service, values that continue to guide her today.

Following her military service, DeAnna earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and pursued graduate studies focused on workplace well-being, leadership development, and organizational change. She is passionate about fostering environments where individuals feel supported, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Above all, DeAnna is a devoted mother of three, whose strength, perseverance, and faith have been central to her journey. She is committed to advocating for others and making a meaningful impact in organizations and communities through integrity and justice.

COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM

CLOSED CAPTIONING Scan the QR code for live English and Spanish closed caption

LIVE COVERAGE OF COMMENCEMENT IS AVAILABLE AT VANGUARD.EDU/LIVE

COMMENCEMENT 2026

PRESIDING MICHAEL J. BEALS, PHD (BA ’81, MA ’89) PRESIDENT

GRAND MARSHAL JOHN SIM, PHD ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY

P R E LU D E M U S I C VANGUARD UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLE KENNETH R. FOERCH, DMA, DIRECTOR

P R O C E SS I O N A L* POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE………………………………………………………SIR EDWARD ELGAR ARR. MARK WILLIAMS VANGUARD UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLE

W E LC OM E MICHAEL J. BEALS, PHD PRESIDENT

I N VO C AT I O N * THE REVEREND RICHARD M. GUERRA (BA ’78, MA ‘89) SUPERINTENDENT, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NETWORK OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

GREETING THE REVEREND DALE OQIUST SENIOR PASTOR, PEOPLES CHURCH CHAIR, VANGUARD UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

*THOSE WHO ARE ABLE, PLEASE STAND

COMMENCEMENT 2026

S O N G O F P R A I S E A N D A D O R AT I O N * CAN’T HELP BUT PRAISE..................................................................................... JORDAN COLLE VANGUARD WORSHIP COLLECTIVE BODIE KUL JIAN (BA ’15), WORSHIP DIRECTOR

I N T R O D U C T I O N O F C OM M E N C E M E N T S P E A K E R MICHAEL J. BEALS, PHD PRESIDENT

C OM M E N C E M E N T A D D R E SS THE REVEREND MELISSA J. ALFARO, PHD CO-PASTOR, TABERNACLE CHURCH

P R E S E N TAT I O N O F C A N D I DAT E S F O R B AC C A L A U R E AT E D E G R E E S RYAN T. HARTWIG, PHD PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

C O N F E R R A L O F B AC C A L A U R E AT E D E G R E E S S O N G O F D E D I C AT I O N * ALL THE PRAISE.................................................................VANGUARD WORSHIP COLLECTIVE I N T R O D U C T I O N O F G R A D U AT E S T U D E N T S P E A K E R RENE MOLINA, MA (BA ‘15) ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY PATTY ARVIELO SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

G R A D U AT E S T U D E N T S P E A K E R DEANNA WOODS MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INDUSTRIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

P R E S E N TAT I O N O F C A N D I DAT E S F O R M AS T E R ’S D E G R E E S RYAN T. HARTWIG, PHD

*THOSE WHO ARE ABLE, PLEASE STAND

COMMENCEMENT 2026

C O N F E R R A L O F M AS T E R ’S D E G R E E S H O O D I N G O F M AS T E R ’S D E G R E E R E C I P I E N T S S O N G O F D E D I C AT I O N * THE BLOOD.............................................................................................................BETHEL MUSIC VANGUARD WORSHIP COLLECTIVE

A LU M N I ASS O C I AT I O N W E LC OM E HEATHER (RACHELS BA ‘02) CLEMENTS DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI

C LO S I N G R E M A R KS MICHAEL J. BEALS, PHD PRESIDENT

BENEDICTION* THE REVEREND STEVE VINSON EXECUTIVE PASTOR, CANYON HILLS CHURCH MEMBER OF THE VANGUARD UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES PARENT OF GRADUATE

THE REVEREND RENEE (TRIGGS ‘18, MA ‘20) VINSON PARENT OF GRADUATE

R E C E SS I O N A L* IN THE STONE………..……………………………..………………………………......ARR. PAUL MURTHA JAZZ ENSEMBLE

NOTE: PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR SEATS UNTIL THE RECESSIONAL HAS LEFT THE WORSHIP CENTER. WE ENCOURAGE ALL PARTICIPANTS AND GUESTS TO REFRAIN FROM ENGAGING IN BEHAVIOR THAT DISRUPTS THE CEREMONY OR PREVENTS ANYONE IN ATTENDANCE FROM HEARING EACH GRADUATE’S NAME OR SEEING EACH GRADUATE WALK ACROSS THE STAGE. LIVE COVERAGE OF COMMENCEMENT IS AVAILABLE AT VANGUARD.EDU/LIVE

*THOSE WHO ARE ABLE, PLEASE STAND

CLASS OF 2026

GRADUATES

HONORS Provisional honors are noted in this program for graduating undergraduates who have completed the requisite number of credits at Vanguard University according to the Academic Catalog and have met one of the grade point average requirements as of the end of the fall 2025 semester: *cum laude (with honor) 3.50-3.69 **magna cum laude (with high honor) 3.70-3.89 ***summa cum laude (with highest honor, signified by gold cords) 3.90-4.00 †

active military service and veterans

PLATINUM & BLUE CORDS are worn by members of Psi Chi, International Honor Society of Psychology.

GREEN & GOLD CORDS are worn by members of Sigma Beta Delta, International Honor Society of Business.

PURPLE & WHITE CORDS are worn by members of Sigma Theta Tau, International Honor Society of Nursing.

BURGUNDY & GOLD CORDS are worn by members of Tau Kappa, National Honor Society for Alpha Sigma Lambda of adult learners.

RED, WHITE & BLUE CORDS are worn by graduates of all branches of the United States military. This is a service recognition and we are grateful for their service to our country.

Program lists graduates approved by the Registrar as of April 3, 2026.

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES U N D E R G R A D U AT E P R O G R A M S D E PA R T M E N T O F NURSING

Woojung Josephine Chong** Katrina Nguyen***

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING

D E PA R T M E N T O F P SYC H O LO GY

Liliana Barros**

Christian R. Martinez

Erika Carranza Benavides***

Macyn Grace Quitoriano**

BACHELOR OF ARTS

Catherine Connie Blanton*

Christopher Scott Turner** †

Corrinne M. Douglass***

Taylor Marie Wolf**

Alysee Marie Katuzin-Sullivan**

Veronica Hope Young*

Graduates will be announced in order of academic college/school and department

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES G R A D U AT E P R O G R A M S D E PA R T M E N T OF CLINICAL P SYC H O LO GY

Paige I. Anderson

Claire Elsie Miller

Melody Avanesi

Kellie E. Modugno

Allee M. Ayers

Andrew Michael Moore

MASTER OF SCIENCE

Isaac Angus Blackreach

Samantha Joy Ogawa

Kathryn Blissmer

Gladys Osorio

Amaya D. Bolling-Mcdevitt Hernandez

Kayla Nicole Piper

Robert Taylor Buchanan †

Edward David Salgado Tenorio

Andrew Donald Robinson

Swasti Chandrashekhara

Kaitlyn Elizabeth Ann Semsen

Anna Isabel Cordero

Sarah Elizabeth Fuchs Sheppard

Jill Devlin

Pablo Guillermo Small

Mariah Ann DeWeerd

Lauren Spencer

Cameron Michael Fenton

Adam Michael Stevens

Alyson Faye Fullbright

Kimberlee Strain

Jessica J. Governale

Isabella R. Thompson

Laura Annette Haney

Anthony Luis Valdez †

Karol Vanessa Hernandez

Hannah Kathleen Whitney

Corinne M. Hill

Hongying Xu-Gelok

Brian C. Hockett

Lixia Zhang

Ashley Giselle Ibarra Scott Cole Macias

D E PA R T M E N T O F NURSING

Manjinder K. Bath Vanessa Ann Buksa

Phillip Tristan Cendana Madamba

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING

Alexandra D. Gash

Kokoni Martinez

Bria Lacey Hebert

Danae Emily Piccoli

Pauline Chloe Karis Dagdag Lising

Graduates will be announced in order of academic college/school and department

PAT T Y A RV I E L O S C H O O L O F BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT U N D E R G R A D U AT E P R O G R A M S D E PA R T M E N T O F BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

B U S I N E SS A DM I N I S T R AT I O N

Sam McKee*

Cynessa Jaiden Aguirre

BACHELOR OF ARTS

Tony Bagatourian

Xavier Alejandro Padilla Alfaro**

Adriel Jesus Esparza

Amy Ruth***

Kylie Madison Garcia*

Joshua Landon Song**

Gregory Morris***

Daniel Martinez

G R A D U AT E P R O G R A M S D E PA R T M E N T O F ORGANIZATIONAL P SYC H O LO GY MASTER OF SCIENCE

INDUSTRIAL AND O R GA N I Z AT I O N A L P SYC H O LO GY Timothy John Byers Kathryn F. Davis Madeline DeLucia Trina Hiroko Harris Aidan Matthew Hay Oliver Kim †

D E PA R T M E N T O F BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

JC Conner

MASTER OF SCIENCE

Matthew John Wilkes

P R O F E SS I O N A L AC C O U N TA N C Y

Graduates will be announced in order of academic college/school and department

Aleksandra Michelle Lucio Annia Mercado Maxwell Montplaisir Brooklyn Motske Daisy Navarrete Evalina Grace Parlier Austin T. Tubbs DeAnna Lorraine Woods †

S C H O O L O F E D U C AT I O N

U N D E R G R A D U AT E P R O G R A M S D E PA R T M E N T O F E A R LY C H I L D H O O D EDUCATION

Andrea Louise Barton**

Alma D. Marquez

Hannah Diane Clark

Bethany Marie Mora

Kelli Shae Ehret

Theresa R. Robertson***

BACHELOR OF ARTS

Kristy Ngoc Han Hoang

Mabel Elizabeth Talavera***

Alicia Hunter**

G R A D U AT E P R O G R A M S D E PA R T M E N T OF GRADUATE EDUCATION

Emily C. Baer

Jorge Alberto Marquez Jr.

Nicole Marie Bussell

Steven P. O’Neil

Dafne Yanet G. Calderon Cevilla

Rebekah Natalia Pinedo

MASTER OF ARTS

Amber Carlson

Payton R. Siurek

Sydney Elizabeth Corrigan

Gwen Elizabeth Spady

Gabriella Gorven

Kianna N. Vair

Lauren Josephine Jaime

Kyle Andrew Vitwar

Zachary A. Krueger

Kaytlyn Elizabeth Westmoreland

Elijah W. Lemna

Aaron Robert Zubiate

Sydney Grace Luttrell Vanessa Rachel Marcoe

SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY & M I N S T RY U N D E R G R A D U AT E P R O G R A M S D E PA R T M E N T O F UNDERGRADUATE THEOLOGY

Brandon Eugene Getachew

Juli Anna Powell**

Grace Hanash*

Edgar Roach

Patsy Ann Hill***

Yutzil Ramirez Salcedo

BACHELOR OF ARTS

Jessica Holguin †

Mario Solis

Alexcia L. Lopez

Skylar P. Sorrentino

Eileen Patricia Martin***

Grace Renee Vinson

Jennifer Nichelle Neil*

Steve J. Walker***

G R A D U AT E P R O G R A M S D E PA R T M E N T OF GRADUATE THEOLOGY

LEADERSHIP STUDIES

T H E O LO GY

Aillin Arteaga

Cody J. Adams

Wen Tai Wayne Choong

Cynthia Mai Doan

MASTER OF ARTS

Taylor A. Coleman

Nalleli E. Garcia

Zhen Ying Ee

Edin Valeria Gomez Herrera

Helen Malabanan Gianchand Steven James Henning Jadyn Maverick Johnson Jennifer Martinez Jacob Isaiah Morales Christopher Paul Paruleski Stephanie Anastasia Pavlakis Marleen S. Sosa Heather Justine Stolte Sandra Tan Christopher Lawayne Watson Wong Wei Ling Wendy

AFTER THE CEREMONY Please remain seated until all graduates have exited. Reception areas are arranged for graduates, faculty, family and friends to gather—use the flag colors and map to find your designated location.

LAWN

WORSHIP CENTER

FLAG MAP LEGEND: GREEN | College of Arts and Sciences: Clinical Psychology PINK | College of Arts and Sciences: Nursing LIGHT BLUE | College of Arts and Sciences: Undergraduate Psychology RED | School of Education GOLD | Patty Arvielo School of Business and Management PURPLE | School of Theology and Ministry

M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T The mission of Vanguard University is to pursue knowledge, cultivate character, deepen faith and equip each student for a Spirit-empowered life of Christ-centered leadership and service.

VA N G U A R D U N I V E R S I T Y BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dale Oquist, Chair* Lettie Cowie, Vice-Chair* Danny de Leon, Jr., Secretary*

Michael J. Beals (ex-officio)*

Michelle Norman*

Tony Choi

David Oddo*

Dylan Christenson

Jim Peugh

Cindee Frenn

Donn Rediger †

Doug Green*

Philip D. Robinette †

Richard M. Guerra (ex-officio)*

Melinda Sweany

Cindee Heath*

Allen Tennison

Kendall Kasper (ex-officio)

Steve Vinson

Byron Klaus †

Donna K. Wallace

Bonnie Livingston

Debora Wondercheck

Jeff Motske

*Executive Committee Members †Trustee Emeritus