Student Experience
UC Santa Cruz celebrates the Class of 2026 during commencement weekend
More than 5,000 graduating students and nearly 30,000 guests gathered at UC Santa Cruz across 11 commencement ceremonies, where student and keynote speakers reflected on resilience, community, and navigating an uncertain future.
The Class of 2026 celebrates during commencement weekend at UC Santa Cruz.
Carolyn Lagattuta
On the morning of Friday, June 12, a coastal fog blanketed the massive white commencement tent on Upper East Field at UC Santa Cruz. As families and graduates arrived, staff and volunteers reassured them that they were in the right place. Even if they couldn’t yet see the tent, they just needed to keep moving forward, and soon enough it would emerge from the fog.
Over the next four days, that tent would become the gathering place for more than 5,000 graduating students and nearly 30,000 guests across UC Santa Cruz’s 11 commencement ceremonies.
The first student speaker of the weekend, Helena Janku (Stevenson ’26, environmental studies and legal studies), opened the Stevenson College commencement by acknowledging the uncertainty many graduates face.
“Our futures seem unusually close, perhaps for some as a clear horizon, but for others—as in my case—it sits behind a fog which has yet to lift,” she said.
A record-setting student-athlete, environmental educator, and one of the university’s most accomplished scholar-athletes, Janku described a series of truths she had learned at UC Santa Cruz, including the reality of change, the importance of finding purpose, and the enduring value of community. Janku finished her remarks just as the fog lifted.
Gesturing toward the newly clear horizon, Janku joked that she had written the line long before she knew the weather forecast.
“Because we’re here, and the fog is lifting,” she said. “We will navigate the waters ahead, holding tight to the truths that illuminate our sense of direction.”
Janku was one of nine student speakers selected to address graduates during this year’s college commencements alongside eight keynote speakers.
At UC Santa Cruz, the eight college ceremonies honor the traditions and character of each college community. Presided over by the college provosts, they feature keynote speakers whose lives and work align with the values of the colleges that host them, alongside student speakers who have distinguished themselves through leadership and community engagement.
Students join a college when they arrive at UC Santa Cruz and, years later, return to that same community to celebrate commencement together.
Throughout the weekend, thousands of family members, friends, mentors, and supporters filled the commencement tent to celebrate alongside graduates. Graduates crossed the stage to cheers and applause before posing for photos with Sammy the Slug, beneath the UC Santa Cruz sign, and at favorite spots across campus. Many wore cultural stoles, decorated mortarboards, and symbols honoring the communities that helped them reach commencement day. A few children, plus a few dogs, made memorable appearances on stage.
The student speakers selected by their colleges reflected the same diversity of experiences, accomplishments, and perspectives represented across the graduating class. Among them were student-athletes, researchers, peer advisers, resident assistants, student government leaders, first-generation college students, transfer students, and community advocates.
“Behind every graduate sitting here today, there is a story. A story of sacrifice. Of resilience. Of pushing forward even when things felt impossible.”
Gisselle Castillo Delgado (Oakes ’26, Latin American and Latino Studies; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology)
Oakes College student speaker Gisselle Castillo Delgado (Oakes ’26, Latin American and Latino Studies; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology), a first-generation college student and daughter of immigrant parents, reminded graduates that every diploma represents a larger story.
“Behind every graduate sitting here today, there is a story,” she said. “A story of sacrifice. Of resilience. Of pushing forward even when things felt impossible.”
Keynote speakers echoed those themes through the lens of their own experiences as artists, educators, journalists, entrepreneurs, activists, and community leaders.
Porter College keynote speaker and three-time Grammy Award-winning musician Meshell Ndegeocello spoke on the important role of art, curiosity, and connection in uncertain times.
“Even when the world seemed to be coming apart at the seams—and God knows it has seemed to be many times—someone was still singing. Still writing. Still painting. Still noticing where the stars are. Still moved to action by suffering. Still brainstorming a better plan. Still telling stories, splitting cells, building buildings, exploring genomes and biomes, observing our psyche or another’s culture, devising strategies, contemplating our collective and repeated mistakes. Still trying to know.”
Across the weekend, keynote speakers returned repeatedly to themes of community, compassion, and purpose, encouraging graduates to approach an uncertain future with hope. Stevenson College keynote speaker Randy Schwabacher urged graduates to embrace opportunities they cannot yet imagine. Kresge College keynote speaker John Brown Childs encouraged the practice of “intelligent compassion” and caring for those in need, while Rachel Carson College keynote speaker Ezra David Romero reminded graduates that some of life’s most important teachers exist beyond the walls of the university.
At Oakes College, muralist and activist Juana Alicia Araiza (Merrill ’79, art) encouraged graduates to meet challenges with “your tribe, your sacred circle, your community.” At College Nine and John R. Lewis College, Rev. Deborah L. Johnson challenged graduates to “step into the bold possibilities of tomorrow” while continually asking themselves, “Who am I becoming?”
At Cowell College, keynote speaker Jody Greene, a professor of literature and longtime campus leader who will retire this year after nearly three decades at UC Santa Cruz, encouraged graduates to remain awake to the world around them.
“Give the world—and yourself—the gift of your awakeness.”
Jody Greene, PROFESSOR OF LITERATURE
“Learning how to live well means making a commitment, day after day, to stay that way, to attend and respond to the beauty all around you, and also to the ugliness, the difficulty, the wonder, the pain,” Greene said. “Give the world—and yourself—the gift of your awakeness.”
Greene also took a moment to recognize the many people whose work makes commencement possible. Behind the scenes, the University Events team leads a months-long effort in partnership with staff from UC Santa Cruz’s 10 colleges, coordinating with more than 20 campus offices and 20 vendors to create a seamless experience for graduates, families, and guests. Their work helps make the celebration possible.
By Monday afternoon, the fog that had welcomed graduates to commencement weekend had lifted. Over four days of ceremonies, more than 5,000 graduating students crossed the stage one by one, shook hands, and joined thousands of fellow alumni.
As the celebrations came to a close, the Class of 2026 officially joined a community that extends far beyond their years on campus. Once a Slug, always a Slug.
College Commencement: Keynote Speakers
STEVENSON COLLEGE
Randy Schwabacher (Stevenson ’75, psychology)
Real estate and telecommunications executive
A Stevenson College alumnus, Schwabacher built a successful career in the real estate and telecommunications industry and later became an investor, supporter of the arts, and business leader. He has remained a longtime supporter of Stevenson College and UC Santa Cruz.
“The future belongs to those willing to embrace opportunities they cannot yet imagine.”
COWELL COLLEGE
Jody Greene
Professor of literature and campus leader
A professor of literature at UC Santa Cruz for nearly 30 years, Greene has held leadership roles across the university focused on teaching excellence, faculty development, and student success. Greene will retire in 2026 and plans to continue their training and teaching in the Zen tradition.
“You’re awake. Learning how to live well means making a commitment, day after day, to stay that way, to attend and respond to the beauty all around you, and also to the ugliness, the difficulty, the wonder, the pain.”
PORTER COLLEGE
Meshell Ndegeocello
Grammy Award-winning musician, composer, and producer
A three-time Grammy Award-winning musician, composer, and producer, Ndegeocello is known for her groundbreaking work spanning soul, jazz, funk, rock, and spoken word. Her acclaimed career has challenged artistic boundaries while exploring identity, creativity, and human connection.
“Life is short. Art endures. I am grateful to places like this. To communities like yours. Because the arts might not give us certainty. But they give us something better. They give us company … We are not the first to believe it’s a bigger mess than ever. We’re not the first people to feel what we are feeling. We will not be the last.”
KRESGE COLLEGE
John Brown Childs
Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Sociology
A Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Sociology at UC Santa Cruz and citizen of the Massachuset Tribe at Ponkapoag, Childs is internationally recognized for his scholarship and activism in civil rights, Indigenous studies, peacebuilding, and community-building across differences.
“I call it Intelligent Compassion. You don’t have to be a technician to be compassionate. What you must be is caring, even if in a small way, for just a moment, to help someone in need.”
COLLEGE NINE AND JOHN R. LEWIS
Reverend Deborah L. Johnson
Author, speaker, and founder of Inner Light Ministries
An author, speaker, social justice advocate, and founder of Inner Light Ministries, Johnson is nationally recognized for her work in transformational leadership, community building, and spiritual development.
“I encourage you and commend you on doing great things. And every step of the way, remember to ask yourself: ‘Who am I becoming?’”
OAKES COLLEGE
Juana Alicia Araiza (Merrill ’79, art)
Muralist, educator, and activist
An internationally acclaimed muralist, educator, and activist, Juana Alicia has spent decades creating public art focused on social justice, labor rights, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment. Her mural La Promesa de Loma Prieta remains a landmark on the UC Santa Cruz campus.
“Never confront a challenge alone. Meet it with your tribe, your sacred circle, your community …
community formation and solidarity is key to any project, and it is most powerful to bond with a circle of allies to take on any issue.”
RACHEL CARSON COLLEGE
Ezra David Romero
Climate reporter, KQED News
An award-winning climate reporter for KQED News, Romero covers climate change, water, agriculture, wildfire, and environmental justice throughout California. His reporting highlights how environmental change affects communities across the state.
“Beyond the walls of this university are a myriad of teachers. It’s your job now to decipher what rings true for you in their words floating on the wind … and from you beginning to trust your own intuition.”
MERRILL AND CROWN COLLEGE
Aims McGuinness
Merrill College Provost and associate professor of history
McGuinness has served as provost of Merrill College since 2023. A historian and educator, he is dedicated to supporting students and advancing Merrill’s mission of cultural identities and global consciousness.
“We are not going away. What we have created, together, will endure. As long as we remember.
As long as we remember to fight for what is ours. What we have created together will endure.”
College Commencement: Student Speakers
STEVENSON COLLEGE
Helena Janku (Stevenson ’26, Environmental Studies and Legal Studies)
A record-setting student-athlete, environmental educator, and Stevenson Junior Fellow, Janku graduated with a 4.0 GPA while competing as one of UC Santa Cruz’s most accomplished runners. She has earned multiple NCAA academic honors and worked as an educator at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center.
STEVENSON COLLEGE
Psi Padhya (Stevenson ’26, Computer Engineering and Politics)
A student leader, researcher, and advocate, Padhya served as a Lead Resident Assistant, helped establish Stevenson Student Council’s first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer position, and contributed to campuswide inclusion and accountability initiatives.
COWELL COLLEGE
Stephanie Lee (Cowell ’26, Legal Studies; Literature minor)
During her time at UC Santa Cruz, Lee worked in three roles within the Writing Program, published work in law journals, and was active in the Chinese Student Association. She also completed a political science pre-doctoral fellowship at the University of Southern California and interned with the City and County of San Francisco.
MERRILL AND CROWN COLLEGE
Gladys Garcia (Crown ’26, Computer Science)
A Baskin Engineering peer adviser, Garcia reflected on the friendships, growth, and sense of belonging she found at Crown College while honoring the sacrifices her immigrant parents made to support her education.
MERRILL AND CROWN COLLEGE
Melanie Fabian (Merrill ’26, Intensive Psychology; Education, Democracy, and Justice)
A resident assistant, student government leader, and member of the Student Fee Advisory Committee, Fabian spoke about the friendships and community she found through Crown and Merrill Colleges and the transformative power of belonging.
MERRILL AND CROWN COLLEGE
Kayson Tang (Merrill ’26, Business Management Economics, Intensive Psychology, Legal Studies, and Cognitive Science)
A rare four-major graduate, Tang reflected on leadership, curiosity, and the value of learning from people with different experiences and perspectives. He emphasized that leadership begins with bringing people together.
COLLEGE NINE AND JOHN R. LEWIS
Airielle Silva (John R. Lewis College ’26)
A longtime student leader, Silva served as Student Union Assembly president and held leadership roles supporting student success, advocacy, and belonging. She was also recognized with the inaugural John R. Lewis Good Trouble Award.
OAKES COLLEGE
Gisselle Castillo Delgado (Oakes ’26, Latin American and Latino Studies; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology)
A first-generation college student and daughter of immigrant parents, Castillo Delgado reflected on perseverance, family sacrifice, and the responsibility graduates have to create positive change in their communities.
RACHEL CARSON COLLEGE
Zorrah Robinson (Rachel Carson ’26, Literature)
A transfer student from Oakland and Dean’s Honors recipient, Robinson plans to pursue graduate study in library science and law. Her speech focused on belonging, perseverance, and the communities students build during their time at UC Santa Cruz.