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Commencement Spotlights

Computer science student Jess Welsh portrait
Jessica Welsh '26: Code meets community
First-generation student Jess Welsh blends computer science and community, building real-world solutions while helping students find their place.
Physics major and hockey player Graham Burke '26
Graham Burke '26: Breaking the mold
Physics researcher and hockey goalie Graham Burke ’26 proves you don’t have to choose between intellectual curiosity and athletic ambition.
Antonella Goncalves sitting in the auditorium
Antonella Goncalves '26: The power of positivity
Nursing major and soccer captain finds research inspiration through overcoming ACL injury
Eman Khwaja standing on a boat with a whale surfacing in the background
Eman Khwaja ‘26: Diversifying STEM through whale TikToks
Integrative biology PhD student shares her humpback whale research on social media while completing National Science Foundation Fellowship
Mechanical engineering student Ryan Masoud portrait
Ryan Masoud '26: Built to do more
At UMass Dartmouth, Ryan Masoud built a future for himself from the ground up
Aubrey Fazzone '26 standing in the nursing simulation lab wearing scrubs
Aubrey Fazzone '26: Passion for cancer patient care
Nursing student completes Flynn Oncology Fellowship at Yale Hospital and discovers calling for patient interactions and cancer care
Physics major Tyler Carlson headshot
Tyler Carlson '25, '26: Machine learning among the stars
The first student to use the Hirshfeld-Dowd Observatory for research after its grand reopening is using machine learning to analyze stars and identify potential planets outside our solar system.
Sam Riley pictured seated in the campus auditorium.
Sam Riley '26: Finding direction, discipline, and purpose
First-gen College Now student reflects on how UMass Dartmouth helped him grow into a leader and entrepreneur
Elijah Facchiano standing with his arms crossed in front of lab benches
Elijah Facchiano '26: Researching real-life Iron Man
4+1 BS/MS chemistry student makes scientific and personal connections to fulfill his passion for impactful research
Mia Oliveira '26 sitting on a boat smiling while holding research equipment
Mia Oliveira '26: Networking the coast
Marine biology major conducts field research across the Cape and Islands while making industry connections at her SMAST internship
Cybersecurity student Raquel Bush stands in the UMassD library
Raquel Ana Bush '25, '26: Mind and machine
CyberCorps SFS scholar Raquel Ana Bush prepares for a career in machine learning and cybersecurity.
Sean Perrine pictured in the Grove
Sean Perrine '25: Measurable impact
Law student gains meaningful experience in inaugural State AG Clinic
Management major Collin Farr pictured outside the Claire T. Carney Library
Collin Farr '25: Finding opportunities
Capstone course helps management major find first full-time job at Fortune 500 company
Political science and 3+3 law student Sara Donahue standing on the campus quad
Sara Donahue '26, JD '28: Asking "Why not?" and taking the leap
Transfer student in the 3+3 law program finds adventure and support at UMassD
Online student sitting outside
Melissa DaSilveira '26: Balancing Compassion and Ambition
Pursuing her RN-BS in Nursing online, she’s not just chasing a degree, but carrying forward a legacy of care, compassion, and community service.
Accounting graduate and MBA student Vanessa Gonsalves, Class of 2025 and 2026
Vanessa Gonsalves '25, '26: PCAOB Scholar
Support from faculty leads accounting student to $15k scholarship
Sophia Chiotis '25: Faunce Corner Road to Wall Street
3L set to begin her career as a transactional attorney at IX Legal in New York City
Timothy Trocchio JD '25: Practical experience
U.S. Army Captain views public interest law as an extension of service
Candice Darteh '25 at the White Coat Ceremony
Candice Darteh '25: Possibilities through perseverance
Nursing student flourishes through College Now program, learning valuable skills while pursuing her passion for global healthcare
Marshall MacDonald smiling, wearing a suit
Marshall MacDonald '25: Serving the campus community
SGA president and campus leader leaves his mark on UMassD while pursuing a comprehensive justice system education
Computer science major Jasmin Singh '25
Jasmin Singh '25: Human-centered AI
Computer science major tackles tough questions about ethical technology in an AI-driven world.
Matthew Stearns '25
Matthew Stearns '25: Taking the fear out of quantum physics
Physics and math double major Matthew Stearns ’25 is on a mission to demystify quantum science and help fellow students tackle intimidating subjects with confidence.
Mechanical engineering major Alexis Medeiros '25
Alexis Medeiros '25: A real engineer
Mechanical engineering major and first-generation college student Alexis Medeiros discovered a love for research and a community of women in STEM at UMassD.
Crime and justice studies/philosophy student Aaliyah Encarnacion smiling
Aaliyah Encarnacion '25: Advocating for justice and empathy
Crime and justice studies and philosophy dual major begins her path towards becoming a defense attorney through internships and on-campus advocacy
Electrical engineering, robotics student
Leandro Neves ’25: Wired for success at UMass Dartmouth
Scholarships are the key that unlocked Neves' potential, empowering him to pursue his passion for robotics and pave the way for his future in electrical engineering.
Electrical and computer engineering student Isaiah Ortiz portrait
Isaiah Ortiz '26: Engineering a future in deep-sea robotics
Electrical and computer engineering student working toward a future in autonomous underwater vehicles and deep-sea robotics.
Adwita Saxena smiling, standing with her arms crossed
Adwita Saxena '25: Building foundations and creating community
International student double majoring in finance and economics finds a cultural community on campus and gains professional experience at her “Big Four” accounting internships
CAS alumna, Law student, scholarship recipient
Adrianna Pacheco '22, JD '25: A "UMass lifer" through and through
Scholarship support turned the tide for this current Law student, giving her the resources needed to succeed.
Tam Carter smiling, standing in the library
Tam Carter '24, MA '26: Systems of support
First-generation professional writing and communication student gains specialized experience through his graduate assistantship and teaching fellowship
Mechanical engineering major James Bonnell working in the machine lab
James Bonnell '25: Career-ready
Through research, internships, and campus clubs, Bonnell is gaining valuable industry experience and building a strong foundation for a future in the defense sector.
Bee Greenberg seated on library stairs
Bee Greenberg '25: Role models in action
Star-runner and computer scientist Bee Greenberg found community and a role model at UMassD. Now, Greenberg aims to fill that role for other women and LGBTQ+ people in STEM.
Scholarship recipient, psychology major
Naomi Mwangi ’25: Scholarships nurture dreams
First-generation psychology student uses scholarships as stepping stones on her path to making a difference in youth mental health.
Linh Dan Nguyen '25: Changing the world
Junior chemistry major is working on solving HIV
Apeksha Prasai '25: Embracing change
Junior interior architecture and design major hopes to make home country more accessible
Monika Janina Kristjánsdóttir
Monika Kristjánsdóttir '25: Making an impact
First-generation international honors student-athlete uses talents and passions to make a difference
Christian Augat pictured in the Esports Lab
Christian Augat '25: Making your own community
Human resources management major founds, manages growing Esports club
Jonathan Matsler, JD '24: Future prosecutor
Practical experiences at UMass Law prepared military veteran for a career in criminal prosecution
Melanie Veilleux '24: Graphic designer
Graphic design student builds professional résumé in on-campus experiences
Medical Laboratory Science major
Colin Soares '24: Aspiring pediatrician
Medical laboratory science major is prepared for work at one of the nation's top children's hospitals before applying to medical school
Marketing  major
Jordan Tavares '24: Honors marketing major unexpectedly finds his career in green sector
Internship in offshore wind industry and work in sustainability led to job with Energy New England
Shawn Koohy '24 at the ACCOMPLISH awards ceremony
Shawn Koohy '24: Opportunities in research
Mathematics major builds prolific undergraduate research career
Jeremie Rogers, JD '24: Police officer earns law degree and plans to work with youth
Part-time law student is grateful for the support of the UMass Law community as he commuted from Martha's Vineyard
Nursing major, football player
William Tuttle '24: Mentor, football player, and future nurse
UMassD experiences developed a future leader
Student Commencement Speaker
Natalia Vargas, JD '24: UMass Law Commencement Speaker reaches lifelong dream
Builds a new community more than 1,000 miles from home
Bioengineering student Jackie Ramirez
Jacqueline Ramirez '24: On the fast track
From robotics to biodegradable plastics, Jackie Ramirez is graduating early with a wealth of experience in the lab.
Clivens Joseph '24
Clivens Joseph '24, '25: Charged with creativity, grounded in excellence
College Now alum and first-generation college student finds out what he's capable of at UMassD
Honors Nursing major
Olivia Munyambu '24: Researching the mental health of UMassD students of the African diaspora
Honors nursing major's research exposes healthcare disparities in the U.S.
Law student research
Matthew Gruneberg, JD candidate '24: From draftsman and illustrator to lawyer
After making a career change, Gruneberg says law is "what I was meant to do"
Seth Shea standing in front of the ocean
Seth Shea '24: Lobsterman turned environmental engineer
Civil and environmental engineering student says experience as a lobsterman inspired his interest in environmental resources.
McCord Murray '24, Data Science and Mathematics dual major.
McCord Murray '24: The science of math
Data science and math dual-major unlocks his potential
Ashlee Shuemaker '24: From intern to inspiration
STEMming While Black secretary is set to graduate with a job offer from Dell Technologies
Christopher Brunette sitting in the library
Christopher Brunette '24, '25: Never stop asking "why?"
Electrical and computer engineering student says curiosity is what makes him an engineer
Kevin Valentine '24: Nursing major finds his calling
A team player, he plans to become an operating room nurse
Honors Bioengineering major
Olivia Collins: Developing a laser light technique to detect early cancer
In memory of her mom, Honors bioengineering major hopes her research will contribute to the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer
Zoi Burns '24: DEI is her "heart and soul"
Political science major advances senior leadership pipeline at their Pine Street Inn Internship
Paige Bernier '24: Research success for this nursing major
Third-generation Corsair is the 5th member of her family to attend UMass Dartmouth
Devon Zapor '24: Event management
Management student builds experience toward dream job
Honors Nursing major
Queyka "Kayeekuh" SaintLouis '24: First-generation nursing major aspires to become a nurse educator
Working at a camp for children and teens with diabetes impacted her career goals
Christian Fall '24: An electrical engineer en route to medical school
Electrical engineer and entrepreneur is the first undergraduate SMART Scholar at UMassD
Student Percy Williams standing outside on UMassD campus
Percy Mason Williams '24: A sense of belonging
Computer science major reflects on his UMassD experience, including an internship at technology company Honeywell
Honors Psychology major
Alejandra PonceLopez '24: Bringing compassion to medicine
Inspired by her undergraduate research, Honors psychology major and first-generation college student hopes to earn a medical and PhD degree
Jeevan Araveti pictured in front of a Bloomberg Terminal in the Charlton Technology Center
Jeevan Teja Araveti '24: Master of finance
Quantitative finance MS student makes the most of investment in education
Nicole Kach '24 Senior Political Science major
Nicole Kach '24: Advocating for others
Political science major finds academic and professional passion by getting involved on campus
Biology major and Sustainability minor
Anna Balkus '24: Studying the mental health impact of our environment
Soccer captain and Honors College biology major aims for a career in environmental conservation
Nathan Upchurch '24, '26: 3+3 with UMass Law
UMassD senior & UMass Law 1L fast-tracks his way to a career in public service
Gabriella Monico '24: Rewriting the rules
Mechanical engineering major carves out a career path combining her talents and interests.
Kamryn Kobel '24: Prepared for anything
English major builds diverse résumé in English literature and communication
Pushkar Bhatia '24: A global citizen
Junior healthcare services administration student returns from study abroad in Germany
Bronwyn Pearson
Bronwyn Pearson '24: Music education
Junior music major and incumbent pep band president gains real-world experience studying her passion
Junior accounting and finance dual major and lacrosse defender Widline Thomas
Widline Thomas '24: Busy season
Double major, student-athlete, and campus leader succeeds on and off the field
Stephannie Marie Vallee pictures in the amphitheater.
Stephannie Marie Vallee '24: Pathway to success
Animation and game arts major with illustration and graphic design minors finds faculty support in career plan shift
Cade Hanley '24, poses at the hockey team's media shoot before the 2022-23 season.
Cade Hanley '24: Artist-Student-Athlete
Montana native, art education major, and captain of the Corsair hockey team calls UMassD the perfect fit
Adriana Lebreault '23: Overcoming adversity
First-generation and independent student finds community and support system at UMassD
Student portrait in Library Living Room
Trinity Faith Esposito '23: Stories behind her patients
Honors College nursing major wrote a booklet of stories about her clinical experiences with patients
Bioengineering student Jackie Horgan standing in Textiles hallway
Jacqueline Horgan '23, '24: A multi-talented engineer
Jacqueline Horgan is a bioengineer, cheerleading captain, volunteer tutor, and Honors College student.
Emily Brawley '23: Research presented at major nursing conference will be published in top-ranked nursing journal
Honors nursing major researched knowledge and use of oral contraceptives among college-aged women
From kindergarten through nursing school, the Michaud cousins have supported each other
Both graduated from UMass Dartmouth’s College of Nursing & Health Sciences and will pursue separate careers in nursing
Capri McLucas '23: A meaningful experience
Accounting and MBA 4+1 student made the most of her time on campus
Medical Laboratory Science major
Taonga Horace '23: Clinical microbiologist at Boston Children’s Hospital
Medical laboratory science major and native of Zambia plans to attend medical school and specialize in infectious diseases
Civil Engineering student Melody Veldorale '23 in the library
Melody Veldorale '22, '23: Corsairs get dream jobs
Civil and environmental engineering major Melody Veldorale '22, '23 is among the UMass Dartmouth graduates who walked across the commencement stage with a job offer already secured.
Andrea Pires '23 poses in her cord and stole following her commencement
Andrea Pires '23: Finding treatments
Senior biology major gains valuable experience and network through undergraduate research
Maxwell White '23: Leadership
Senior political science major and campus trustee will attend law school after graduation
Chris Peter standing in front of the STEM learning lab sign
Chris Peter '89, '92, '18, '23: Mission-driven
Chris Peter '23, Assistant Director of the STEM Learning Lab and Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology MS graduate is driven by passion and purpose.
christina hart standing in library
Christina Hart '23: Hands-on learning
Christina Hart '23 puts her engineering knowledge to work solving real-world problems.
Senior history major Henrique Melo '23 pictured in the Claire T. Carney Library.
Henrique Melo '23: Keys to success
Senior history major finds his stride with help of College Now program
Katherine McCormick, JD ’23 aspires to pursue justice for America’s workers
McCormick has taught elementary school in Bangkok and excelled in the recent ABA Client Counseling Competition
Nursing major, Commencement Speaker
Anne Jean '23: College Now program provided foundation for her success
Nursing major and Commencement Speaker hopes to open a women’s birthing center in her native country of Haiti
Kathryn Grande '23 pictured in the Claire T. Carney Library
Kathryn Grande '23: Comeback Corsair
English major finds sense of confidence and success in online return to UMassD
Student viktoriya balabanova standing in the library
Viktoriya Balabanova '23: Seizing opportunities
Physics major Viktoriya Balabanova has earned multiple competitive research opportunities and compiled an impressive record of accomplishments, all while raising a family.  
Nursing major
Jillian Brooke Rush ’23: A future in hospice nursing
Nursing student enjoys comforting and caring for patients and families in transition
Kenny Duong '22, '23: Becoming a leader
MIS alumnus and MSTM student is well-positioned for a career as a leader
Emily Dillan, JD ’23: Pursuing justice for survivors of domestic violence
Cause is a personal one for Dillan, who says “every survivor’s justice is my own”
UMass Law’s Janay Davidson, JD candidate '23 is ready for work as a New York City public defender
UMass Law experiences prepared Davidson for litigation position after graduation
John Lucas Guimaraes '23: Engineering a more inclusive world
Civil engineering student Joao “John” Lucas Coelho Guimaraes is a leader with a passion for public service.
Portrait for Commencement story
Tajaun Francis '23: Growing his passion for pathology and lab medicine
Following an internship at the Mayo Clinic, MLS major fosters his confidence and leadership
student lucy mcginnis against red and orange wall
Luca McGinnis '23: Fishing for answers
Luca McGinnis ‘23 is a graduate student and researcher motivated by a love of the ocean and a desire to make a difference.
MPWC student Ghenwa Elkhoury
Ghenwa Elkhoury '21, '23: Plain language
Lebanese transfer student overcomes adversity and completes two degrees in four years
Mckenzie Ferrari '23 outdoors at UMassD
Mckenzie Ferrari '23:  Reaching for the (exploding) stars
Physics major Mckenzie Ferrari is poised to join the next generation of leaders in astrophysics research.
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