On May 30, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) celebrated the Class of 2025 in a stirring and emotional Commencement Ceremony that highlighted the power of CUNY SPS graduates to be a force for good in the world.
Hosted for the first time at Barclays Center, with a livestream option, the CUNY SPS 2025 Commencement Ceremony paid tribute to 1500 students—its largest graduating class ever—as they celebrated their milestone achievement. This year’s cohort included over 900 undergraduates, 600 of those who received honors, along with approximately 450 graduate students and 150 certificate earners.
Moderated by Lucas Sifuentes, assistant dean and chief enrollment officer at CUNY SPS, the ceremony also featured a rendition of the national anthem by Sasha M. DiBeneditto, a CUNY SPS Child Development Associate Certificate program graduate (pictured left); along with speeches by CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez; CUNY SPS Dean Lisa R. Braverman; Daniel Reden, CUNY Trustee and Chair of the University Student Senate; and this year’s Student Speaker, Courtney Jae Renee, who earned her BA in Youth Studies this Spring.
Each of their speeches reflected a similar theme: the idea that, even amid a world of uncertainty many are facing today, CUNY SPS graduates are able to make change for the better.
Chancellor Matos Rodríguez, in a video address to the graduates, noted this directly. “Now you're stepping into a world in which there are many unanswered questions and much trepidation about what the future may hold.…Believe me when I tell you that you are ready for whatever comes next. Your time with us was well spent. You prepared to change your dreams and turn them into reality. Those dreams will not change. Your values will not change. Your love for your families and your connection to your communities will not change. So go forward knowing that all you've learned here will fortify you.”
CUNY Trustee and USS Chair Daniel Reden (pictured right), who is also a CUNY SPS BS in Business student, offered similar advice in his own speech reflecting his own meteoric rise through the University government.
“Be bold and dream big. Be agents of change and make the world better for the next generation starting right here in New York City. Engage in your communities, speak up for those who cannot, serve your city and your fellow New Yorkers with pride and integrity… There will be more challenges, but there will also be even greater rewards. Keep pushing boundaries, keep asking questions, and above all, keep believing in yourselves.”
Dean Braverman also celebrated this milestone and encouraged graduates to apply their CUNY SPS degree towards today’s challenges.
“Whether you go on to earn advanced degrees, launch new ventures, rise through the ranks of your professions, or inspire others through community service or mentorship—know that your education is not just a credential. It is a catalyst of personal transformation that will change your life forever! I encourage you to use it to speak truth, to ensure fairness, to lend a helping hand, to extend compassion. And always—to use it to lift up others as you rise.”
Student speaker Courtney Jae Renee (also featured left), a dedicated youth practitioner, journalist, and social justice activist, followed with her own uplifting words reminding fellow graduates of the power they hold to make the world a better place.
“Every major shift in history, every movement that has shaped the world, was driven by people just like us, people who chose not to fear change but to be the change. …We are stepping into a future that needs fresh perspectives, bold ideas, and unwavering determination. And that is what we bring. We are innovators, leaders, and problem-solvers. We don't wait for permission to make an impact; we create the impact. As we walk across this stage today, let’s carry more than just our diplomas. Let’s carry hope. Let’s carry the responsibility to connect, uplift, and change the spaces we enter.”
Celebrating the Power of CUNY SPS Changemakers
The day’s overriding message of changemaking resonated with many of the graduates who, during their time at CUNY SPS, had taken on key roles as community leaders and student advocates.
Ivan De Luce (pictured right), who earned his MA in Museum Studies, is one of those who was inspired by his community-building efforts at CUNY SPS.
Originally trying out several other careers, including journalism, De Luce chose museum studies for his graduate work. “I grew up loving art history and museums, and…I realized that being a museum curator or collections manager would allow me to work with priceless objects while inspiring others,” he said.
CUNY SPS was a natural choice for De Luce for its affordable tuition and its museum studies program, which was “…appealing because of its partnership with New York Historical, whose curators and other staff serve as professors, giving valuable real-world experience to the curriculum.”
But attending CUNY SPS also offered another exciting opportunity for De Luce—the chance to serve as editor-in-chief of The Kiosk, the School’s student newspaper, for the past two years. Founded in 2018 by student journalists Lisa Sheridan and Milan Fredricks, The Kiosk was rebooted under De Luce—along with prior and current managing editors Tasnia Rashid and Nasreen Quadir—as a robust community resource for a new generation of students hungry to learn more about CUNY SPS and each other.
“My work at The Kiosk was undoubtedly the most enjoyable experience I've ever had in journalism, especially because our team was providing an integral service to the student body without having to worry about pageviews or churning out articles every day,” De Luce said. “Instead, The Kiosk connected students, staff, and faculty, while giving me the sense that I was really part of the CUNY SPS community.”
With this inspiring role under his belt, De Luce is ready to join the museum world. “I have some internship experience in museums thanks to my time at CUNY SPS, which provided me with enough expertise to land those positions. Next up, I plan to pursue collections management at an art museum, if possible, but…I would be happy with building my experience in other aspects of the museum or library fields.”
About the CUNY School of Professional Studies
As New York's leading online school since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule.
Press Contact
Prerna Dar
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