Speakers Applaud Largest-Ever Graduating Class for Their Perseverance and Grit
The CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) celebrated the remarkable Class of 2026 in a jubilant and inspiring Commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 28.
With over 1700 graduates, the Class of 2026 took the record for the School’s largest-ever graduating class. This group included more than 1000 bachelor’s degree-holders, nearly 500 graduate students, and close to 200 certificate recipients.
Held for a second year at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, this year’s ceremony was moderated by Lucas Sifuentes, assistant dean of enrollment management and chief enrollment officer, and featured speeches by CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, CUNY Trustee Brian D. Obergfell, CUNY SPS Dean Dr. Lisa R. Braverman, and BA in Liberal Studies graduate Selena Couloufacos, along with a stirring performance of the national anthem by BA in Human Relations graduate Shani Long-Boxill (shown right).
In a recurring theme, speakers reflected upon the immense perseverance and determination of the graduates who overcame many obstacles to return to school and cross the finish line.
During his address, Chancellor Matos Rodríguez (pictured left) praised the CUNY SPS Class of 2026 and encouraged them to carry their work forward into the future. “The world is uncertain, yes. It always has been. But it has always also been full of opportunity for those with the preparation, the grit, the principles, and the character to pursue it. You have all of these qualities. Don’t let anyone make you forget the road you have already travelled and that you are ready for what’s next.”
Dean Braverman (shown right) also paid homage to the dedication that brought CUNY SPS students to this day. “Many of you returned to school after years away from the classroom. Many of you took a second chance—whether to advance your career, pursue a dream, or achieve a personal goal,” she noted in her remarks. “Second chances require courage. They require perseverance through moments of exhaustion, indecision, and self-doubt. But you persisted, and that persistence makes today’s achievement even more meaningful.”
While sharing her own story, student speaker Selena Couloufacos (pictured left) offered a first-hand account of this tenacity. “Like many of you, my journey to this day was not a straight line. Life happened. I had to pause, take on work, raise a family, and step into responsibilities that didn’t leave much room for school. But the dream of finishing never left me…I will never forget that moment in 2022 when I asked for a raise. And when they said no, and I had the audacity to ask why—the answer I received was: ‘You weren’t hired for your education.’ That answer was meant to define my limits. Instead, it defined my direction. It was at that moment I decided to join the thousands of students at SPS. I made up my mind, I would go back to school and no matter what it took I would finish…And like all of you, I got to work.”
Inaugural Cohort of Spanish CDA Certificate Graduates
In a special highlight, the Class of 2026 also included the inaugural cohort of graduates from the School’s first-ever Spanish-language Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate program. Initiated in 2023, the program was the brainchild of then-program administrator Dr. Claudine Campanelli, for which she was awarded the inaugural John Mogulescu Innovation Prize.
Grads Reflect Back on their Big Day
As they awaited the ceremony, several members of the Class of 2026 reflected on their educational journey and the role that CUNY SPS played in bringing them to the finish line.
Harmony Olayiwola (left), who earned a BA in Disability Studies, is one of the many CUNY SPS students who originally chose CUNY SPS for the flexibility of its online programs—but found it offered so much more. “From the beginning, I felt welcomed with kindness, encouragement, and support,” she said. “CUNY SPS became more than an online school for me; it became a place where I found my voice, grew in confidence, and felt that I truly belonged.”
Olayiwola, who plans to continue her education at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she will study in the Intellectual Disability/Autism program as part of a longtime goal “to support individuals with disabilities through education, mentorship, advocacy, and inclusive practices,” was excited to mark her achievements on Commencement Day. “Walking across that stage will remind me that life may change the route, but purpose can still be fulfilled. I am excited to reflect on the journey, the challenges I overcame, and the person I have become through this experience.”
Diana Esordi (right), a graduate of the MA in Disability Studies program, traveled all the way from Louisiana to attend the ceremony. Esordi, who sought to obtain this degree as part of an effort to make cultural events in her hometown of New Orleans more accessible to people with disabilities, also chose the School for its convenience and faculty expertise. “It was immediately clear that CUNY SPS and the Disability Studies program was where I needed to be,” she said. “The classes offered and the lived experience of my professors in the disability community was unsurpassed.”
With the tools she gained from the program’s faculty and coursework, Esordi was able to not only launch the accessibility nonprofit One Krewe while completing her degree but also serve as president of the CUNY SPS chapter of the National Society for Leadership and Success (NSLS). She credits the School for helping her achieve all these goals. “…[E]very moment at CUNY SPS was important to what I plan to do in the future and to me personally. The knowledge and skills I have gained has been truly life changing,” she observed. And this transformation is what she is looks forward to commemorating on her big day. As Esordi reflected, “To me Commencement Day is a way for me to officially acknowledge all of the hard work I've put in over the last two years and celebrate that achievement.”
CUNY SPS Staff Grads Share Their Stories
This year’s group of grads also included several CUNY SPS insiders who have the unique experience of also working at the School.
For Verneisha Martin (shown left), a finance manager at CUNY SPS who earned a MS in Business Management and Leadership, her degree was a culmination of a long journey inspired by her mother, whose “passion for business and education” led Martin to pursue both employment and credentials at CUNY, first at Bronx Community College and later CUNY SPS, where she felt an immediate connection. “I attended an SPS event…from that moment, I felt a strong sense of belonging,” Martin explained. “The welcoming environment, diverse community, and meaningful conversations with students, faculty, and staff confirmed that SPS was the right place for me.”
That feeling of connection led Martin to both complete her degree here and also join the School’s Office of Fiscal and Business Operations, where she has worked since 2021. With this master’s under her belt, Martin looks forward to bringing her new skills to her job. “This degree has… strengthened my knowledge and confidence in my current role…and also helped me grow in how I lead and communicate with others.” But on her big day, Martin took time off from work to celebrate with family and friends. She noted, “Now that the moment is finally here, I am incredibly excited and grateful… every challenge, sacrifice, and late night that went into earning this degree has been worth it!”
Tiya Williams (pictured right), a college assistant at CUNY SPS who earned a BS in Information Science (IS), was also motivated by family to continue her education at CUNY SPS. After hearing her sister Amarna, also a CUNY SPS grad and employee, speak so positively about the School, Williams went on to choose the IS program because she “…enjoys seeing how technology can improve learning experiences and make information more accessible for students.” A community-builder herself, Williams served on a number of student clubs and in January 2026 came aboard to work for the School’s pilot LGBTQIA+ Health Fellowship program, where she helps create a resource website for LGBTQIA+ students. Williams plans to use her IS degree, along with the skills gained from this role and her other SPS responsibilities, toward “a career in educational technology, specifically as an instructional designer.”
Like these other grads, Williams attributes CUNY SPS to steering her on the road to success. “I think what makes this community unique is the flexibility and support offered to working adult students,” Williams said. “Balancing full-time work, leadership roles, and academics can be challenging, but SPS creates an environment where students are encouraged to succeed despite those responsibilities.” And for Williams, this achievement is what makes Commencement Day so thrilling. “I’m honestly looking forward to everything about the day, from celebrating with friends and family to finally experiencing a milestone that I’ve worked very hard toward.”
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 over 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.
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