2026 News 2026: Class of 2026 Student Commencement Speakers announced

Sam Riley, Eman Khwaja, Angel Pelissari, and Paul Riley to discuss drive, growth, and success to the crowd

As part of UMass Dartmouth's 2026 Commencement Ceremonies, the following student speakers will address their peers, guests, and others in attendance.

Undergraduate & Graduate Student Ceremony I

Sam Riley - Bachelor of Science in Marketing

Samuel Riley (Samohh) is graduating from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Management. Sam is a Haitian American from Boston, Massachusetts, originally from Dorchester, before moving to South Boston, where he was challenged to step outside his comfort zone and grow both personally and professionally. During his time at UMass Dartmouth, he was actively involved on campus through organizations such as the Black Student Union and the Haitian American Student Association. He has also served as a Peer Mentor with College Now and contributed as a member of the UMassDReady team supporting incoming freshmen. Sam was selected for the inaugural cohorts of both the Bluetech Innovations Career Pathways Internship and the S.A.G.E. Portugal Experience. Additionally, he has had the honor of serving as a two-time Black History Month Show Host, a four-time Dean's List recipient, a Don Howard Scholarship recipient, and a student speaker for both Scholar Day and the annual Share the Dream events. He also helped lead the organization of Flordan Blazile's memorial celebration. Outside of academics, he founded the marketing agency, ThriveMint, from his dorm room during his final semester. Following graduation, he plans to continue building his business while striving to become a leader and role model for the next generation. Sam is committed to making a meaningful impact and sharing that journey to inspire others to do the same.

Doctoral Ceremony

Eman Khwaja - Doctor of Philosophy in Integrative Biology

Eman Khwaja is a PhD candidate in Integrative Biology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. Her research focuses on the behavior and ecology of humpback whales, examining how feeding and aerial behaviors vary across demographic groups to better understand the drivers shaping whale behavior and ecology. Across her work, Eman is committed to advancing equity and access in marine science through community engagement, inclusive science communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She has extensive experience as a naturalist with Boston Harbor City Cruises and the New England Aquarium, educating whale-watch passengers and contributing to long-term behavioral datasets in the Gulf of Maine. Eman is also an active science communicator, engaging global audiences through digital platforms, with over 30 million views since 2023. As a member of the inaugural Digital Science Communication Fellowship at the Museum of Science, she develops content to expand public understanding and scientific literacy. She has collaborated on outreach initiatives locally and internationally, including with Women in Ocean Science, the New England Aquarium, and Northeastern University, as well as with local non-profit and education groups. Eman also works with Ma'wa Collective, a community focused on increasing the representation of Muslim women in outdoor spaces.

Undergraduate & Graduate Student Ceremony II

Angel Pelissari - Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography

Angel Pelissari is a first-generation student graduating from the College of Visual and Performing Arts. She is earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography. In her time at UMass Dartmouth, Angel has demonstrated academic excellence, earning Chancellor's and Dean's List honors, and has spent a semester abroad in Italy. Her photographic work explores themes including faith, poetic interpretation, and cultural perspective, aiming to encourage viewers to form a connection that fosters personal engagement. During her undergraduate career, Angel held several leadership positions, including serving as an Orientation Leader and uplifting Portuguese-speaking cultures as Social Media Chair for the Lusophone Student Union. She worked in CVPA's Media Center and in the International Programs Office as a Social Media Manager. Angel participated in on-campus initiatives, including volunteering for Mental Health Day and hosting local 7th-grade students for College Positive Tours with the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement. In Angel's free time, she indulges in her longtime passion for music, playing mainly drums and acoustic guitar, and listening to a variety of genres. She is a food enthusiast with a particular love for Brazilian cuisine and a constant curiosity about global flavors.

School of Law Ceremony

Paul Riley - Juris Doctorate

Paul Leo Riley (' 26) was raised in Dedham, Massachusetts. At home, Paul was taught that if you had something to give, it was your responsibility to give it. Paul earned his B.A. in Political Science from Saint Joseph's College of Maine in 2020. Prior to enrolling at UMass Law, Paul worked in Election Administration in Newton, Massachusetts, and Portland, Maine. As a Public Interest Law Fellow, Paul is committed to providing meaningful service to others. Paul deeply enjoyed every aspect of being a law student. He mentored students as a Teaching Assistant for Professor Philip Cleary's Torts class and an Academic Fellow under the guidance of Professor Amy Vaughan-Thomas. Paul served his colleagues as the Executive Vice President of the SBA and the Editor-in-Chief of the UMass Law Review. Thanks to the vision of Dean Sam Panarella and Professor Richard Peltz-Steele, Paul embarked on the inaugural Lisbon, Portugal, Study Abroad program in May of 2024. Paul served as a 3:03 Certified Student Practitioner on behalf of indigent criminal defense clients at Launie & Marino in Westwood, Massachusetts, and later as a Judicial Intern at the Norfolk County Superior Court in his hometown of Dedham, Massachusetts, with Justice Michael P. Doolin. Paul dedicates his remarks to the following: first to his friends and classmates in the Class of 2026 on a job well done; to countless educators and mentors who have empowered and refined him in preparation for this day and the days to come; to his parents Sue and Steve who were his first and perfect role models; to his four older brothers and their families, Steven and Jenny, Danny and Victoria, Jimmy and Rachel and Jason and Mary; to his girlfriend Kerry for unwavering support and boundless love; to his nieces Cami and Addison; to his nephews Cormac and Cooper; and in a special way to baby Quinn, who Jimmy and Rachel will bring into this world just in time to see Uncle Paul receive his bar results. After graduation, Paul plans to serve as a Trial Attorney in the Public Defender Division at the Committee for Public Counsel Services.

Learn more about UMass Dartmouth's 2026 Commencement Ceremonies.