2026 News 2026: UMass Dartmouth graduates 1,800+ students from 28 countries in multi-day commencement

Class of 2026 joins global network of UMass Dartmouth alumni

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2026 during four Commencement ceremonies held on Thursday, May 21, and Friday, May 22, honoring over 1,800 graduates whose academic journeys reflect the resilience, determination, and success needed to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

Graduates crossed the stage before thousands of family members, friends, faculty, staff, and alumni, joining a global network of UMass Dartmouth alumni.

The Class of 2026 included undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and law students representing 247 Massachusetts cities and towns, 40 states, and 28 countries. Seventy percent of graduates are from Massachusetts, including 628 students from the SouthCoast region. Graduates ranged in age from 20 to 72 years old, with nearly half of the Class of 2026 identifying as students of color.

"There are no limits to what you can achieve," Chancellor Mark. A Fuller told the graduates. "There will be challenges and setbacks, but the Class of 2026 has built a foundation that will serve them for the rest of their lives."

"There are no limits to what you can achieve. There will be challenges and setbacks, but the Class of 2026 has built a foundation that will serve them for the rest of their lives."

During the two days of ceremonies, students and guests heard from UMass Dartmouth alumnus James Pace '09, and University of Massachusetts Trustees Kenneth Fiola Jr., JD '95, Charles F. Wu, MBA, Imari K. Paris Jeffries, PhD, and Julie M. Ramos Gagliardi '87. 

The first ceremony recognized undergraduate and master's students from the School for Marine Science & Technology, College of Engineering, and Charlton College of Business. 

Student Speaker Sam Riley, who earned a bachelor's in marketing, came to UMass Dartmouth through the College Now program and became a campus leader through his involvement in the Black Student Union, Haitian American Student Association, and mentorship programs. He also launched a business from his dorm room and joined the University's first Blue Economy internship cohort. Reflecting on perseverance and personal growth, Riley told fellow graduates, "I learned that progress doesn’t follow a timeline—but it always rewards effort. Be hopeful. Be patient with yourselves. And trust that even when the future feels uncertain, we are more prepared than we think." 

Thursday's afternoon ceremony honored doctoral students from programs across campus. 

Student Speaker Eman Khwaja, who earned a PhD in integrative biology, focused her research on ecology and environmental change while advocating for greater representation of Muslim women in outdoor spaces through science communication and community engagement initiatives. Encouraging graduates to use their scholarship in service of others, Khwaja said, "We know how to ask difficult questions. We know how to evaluate evidence. We know how to build understanding, piece by piece. Now we carry the responsibility to use those skills with care for the knowledge we help shape and the world that it serves." 

The Doctoral Ceremony also awarded honorary degrees—the highest award that the University can bestow—to Richard Lafrance, Chairman of Lafrance Hospitality, Nishita Roy-Pope, CEO of Courage Builder, and Jacqueline G. Somerville, PhD, RN, FAAN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of SouthCoast Health. The individuals were selected because of their extraordinary impact on their professions, civic and cultural life, and higher education. 

Learn more about the 2026 Honorary Degree Recipients. 

Friday morning's ceremony honored undergraduate and master's students from the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, and College of Visual & Performing Arts. 

First-generation college student Angel Pelissari, an undergraduate photography student, used her artistic work to explore themes of identity, belonging, and personal transformation while building a strong creative community on campus through leadership and collaboration. Speaking about gratitude and resilience, Pelissari told graduates, "Journeys are never linear, and it is an accumulation of the support along the way that helps us reach our full potential. We would not be here today without our own drive and determination." 

The final ceremony recognized graduates from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's School of Law (UMass Law). 

Student Speaker Paul Riley pursued his legal education with a strong commitment to public service and advocacy, gaining hands-on experience through internships and legal clinics while preparing for a career in public defense. Addressing fellow graduates and their supporters during the ceremony, Riley reflected on the challenges and shared purpose of legal education, saying, "There is beauty in struggle. There is a unique nobility in striving toward that which is difficult. For nothing worthwhile in our lives will come easy."

Read more about UMass Law's 2026 commencement.

As the newest members of the University's global alumni network, the Class of 2026 carries forward the mission of UMass Dartmouth to advance knowledge, opportunity, and positive change throughout the SouthCoast and beyond.

"What defines a university community is our students," said Chancellor Fuller. "Our students are not ordinary, they are extraordinary. They drive our progress, shape our campus culture, and help chart the course forward."

To learn more about the incredible accomplishments of the graduating class, visit the UMass Dartmouth Commencement Spotlights.

UMass Dartmouth graduates 1,800+ students from 28 countries in multi-day commencement

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