Spring 2026 Commencement
Saturday, May 16, 2026 2:00 p.m.
Hilliard Center Arena
A Member of The Texas A&M University System
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Spring 2026 Commencement
President Kelly M. Miller, Ph.D., presiding
Prelude and Processional*
Carrier of the Mace ...................................................................................................... Dr. Ashley Voggt
Assistant Professor of Special Education College of Education and Human Development
Welcome ................................................................................................................... President Kelly Miller
Presentation of the Colors ................................................................. TAMU-CC Army Islander Battalion
National Anthem ............................................................................................................ Jessica Valdez ‘25 Alumna, TAMU-CC
Greetings ............................................................................................................... Chancellor Glenn Hegar Texas A&M University System
Commencement Address ........................................................................................ Dr. Nelly Garcia Blow Chief Medical Officer, Amistad Community Health Center
Presentation of Degree Candidates ............................................................................ Dr. Cate Rudowsky Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs College of Education and Human Development ................................................... Dean Joshua Watson College of Liberal Arts ........................................................................................... Dean Kyoko Amano College of Nursing and Health Sciences ................................................................... Dean Hassan Aziz School of Arts, Media, & Communication ............................................................ Director Diana Sipes
Conferring of Degrees ............................................................................................ President Kelly Miller
Announcing ............................................................................................... Dr. Carmen Tejeda-Delgado Professor and Director of Transformative Alliance for Student Success College of Education and Human Development
Hooding of Doctoral and Terminal Degree Candidates ............................ Candidate’s Major Professor College of Education and Human Development | Assisting: Dean Joshua Watson School of Arts, Media, & Communication | Assisting: Director Diana Sipes
Commissioning .................................................................................. Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Stevens Professor of Military Science
Alumni Presentation .................................................................................................... Kimberly Cook ‘94 President, TAMU-CC National Alumni Association
Recessional*
*Audience will remain seated.
Scan to link to digital program
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Dr. Samantha Nicole Barrera
Dissertation: Who Gets to Belong? The Voices of Nontraditional Undergraduate Students in South Texas
Dr. Brisa Benilde Bazan
Dissertation: Social Empathy in School Leadership: Examining Principals' Role in Supporting Teen Mothers' Graduation
Dr. Risha Vinaykumar Dulip
Dissertation: The Role of the Academic Library in Higher Educational Institutions: A Three-Article Dissertation
Dr. Lori Alayne Flaminio
Dissertation: Orientation Registration Timing and First-Year Student Success
Dr. Debbi Renae Furr
Dissertation: Empowering First-Generation Students: Resource Utilization as a Pathway to Success for Those with Low SES and Social Anxiety
Dr. Albert Edwin Hesseltine III
Dissertation: Four-Day School Weeks in Texas Public Schools: District Adoption and STAAR Outcomes in Grades 3–8
Dr. Diana Laura Hinojosa
Dissertation: Examining the Impact of Social Media on Working Student Caregivers' Academic Performance
Dr. Camille Marie Kieschnick
Dissertation: Strengthening Instructional Leadership Through Data-Driven Protocols
Dr. Kelsie Wiedmann Morris
Dissertation: From Compliance to Instruction: Principals’ Prioritization of High Leverage Tasks and Student Outcomes
Dr. Julia Ann Norrell
Dissertation: Growing from Grassroots: Conceptualizing a Framework for Institutionalizing Student Wellness Initiatives in Higher Education
Dr. Maria Therese Serna
Dissertation: Testimonios of Mid-Level Latina Staff in Enrollment Management at HSIS in Texas
Dr. Heather Susanne Shores-Price
Dissertation: Student Success in Inclusive Postsecondary Education: An Analysis of Stakeholder Insight and Institutional Framing
Dr. Matthew Allen Tedrow
Dissertation: A Three-Article Dissertation on How First-Year Learning Communities Program Faculty Perceive Their Roles in Addressing Diverse Student Needs
Dr. Lydia Ann Trevino
Dissertation: A Sentipensante Healing: Testimonios of Latina Principals Rewriting Leadership, Boundaries, and Wholeness After Breast Cancer
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education
Dr. Joely Duke
Dissertation: The Effectiveness of Christian-Integrated DBT-Informed Skills Group on Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance
Dr. Kelci L. Ellis
Dissertation: How Does the Supervisor Multicultural Competence Impact the Supervisee's Satisfaction and Self-Efficacy in Cross Cultural Supervision?
Dr. Elizabeth Marie Hernandez
Dissertation: A Quantitative Investigation on the Predictability of Exposure to Pro-Alcohol-Related Content on Social Media, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Peer Pressure on Drinking Behavior at a Hispanic Serving Institution
Dr. Allison Nicole Joyal
Dissertation: An Exploration of How Play Therapists Facilitate Safety During Posttraumatic Play
Dr. Chalayna Lenelle Landers
Dissertation: Who Run the World? The Essence of Black Girl Magic, Black Joy, and the Sista Circle as Tools for Thriving for Black Girls
Dr. Julia Christine-Snead Leclair
Dissertation: Evaluating the Impact of Counselor-Led Outdoor Interventions on the Quality of Life and Mental Health of Women Veterans in a Group Setting
Dr. Andrea Mendoza
Dissertation: Relational Experiences of Sex Trafficking Survivors
Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Amber Marie Click
Dissertation: Stories From the Fire: Narratives of Burnout Among K-12 Special Education Teachers
Dr. Shelley Christine Dominguez
Dissertation: The Impact of Hurricane Harvey on Student Reading Achievement in South Texas
Dr. Clarissa Maria Guerra
Dissertation: A Postphenomenological Exploration of Cultural Responsiveness and Pedagogical Values in AI-Mediated Instruction
Dr. Elizabeth Marie Guerra
Dissertation: Game On: Exploring eLearning Engagement Through Gamification in Pediatric Asthma Management for School Nurses
Dr. Sameera Madeleine Massey
Dissertation: Reconceptualizing Educational Neuroscience as an Epistemic Resource for Teachers’ Reasoning and Decision-Making: A Grounded Theory Study
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction, continued
Dr. Renée Michelle Richter
Dissertation: Developing a Competency Framework for Learning Engineering Using Content Analysis and Delphi Methods
Dr. Rizwan Shaikh
Dissertation: Qualitative Comparative Case Study of Teacher Education For Secondary Schools of the United States, South Korea, and Pakistan
SCHOOL OF ARTS, MEDIA, & COMMUNICATION
Master
of Fine Arts
Kevin Gonzalez
Thesis: Blue on the Horizon
Jin Sun Kim
Thesis: C.O.C.O.O.N.: Healing
Ian C. Manseau
Thesis: Residue
Richard M. Solis Jr.
Thesis: Seen and Heard: Exploring the Realm of Punk and Post-Punk Poster Design
Saffron Rebecca Williams
Thesis: Welcome to the Bakery
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Master of Science
Dazarae Semone Adams
Nia Nicole Balarin
Destiny Jaclynn Bargas
Dominica Angela Barrera
Brianna Jane Barry
Joseph-Isaac Isaiah Bates
Samantha Borrego
Gloria Lucinda Canales
Victor Ray Casares Jr.
Paola Castrejon
Daniel Clutts
Ashlynn Katrina Marie Colson
Montana Ray Cullum
Madison Hope De Los Santos
Michelle Ann Dolan
Flor S. Elizondo
Alexandria Dee Ellis
Brianna Michelle Fernandez
Heather Lauren Foster
Miranda Christina Galvan
Deedra Ann Garza
Cecilia R. Autry
Melissa Wren Blanchette
Jacqueline Danielle Brown
Ashleigh Claire Budd
Matalyn M. Damon
Michael Francis Devotta
Michael George Fitch
Joshua Andrew Frazier
Christopher Gonzalez
Erica Lynn Gonzalez
Nikiyea Gordon
Briana Michelle Gracia
Mary C. Guerra
Allyson Yvonne Hein
Miranda Danielle Hernandez
Angelina Rose Hinojosa
Jeremiah Howell
Derrick Cleo Jones II
Madhuri Kilari
Chloe Leather
Faithe N. Longoria
Aubrey M. Martinez
Kallieste Houston McKinzey
Caitlyn Whitney Moreno
Katherine M. OLeary
Aura Hancock Olivares
Madeline Lauren Olivarez
Melissa Margaret Orf
James Einar Phillips
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Master of Arts
Michael Elliott Garcia
Megan Renee Gonzalez
Elias G. Green II
Sandra Lynn Jackson
Dylan T. Lopez
Bailey Thomas Miller
Laken Neff
Espectacion Aarin Ochoa
Roberto Javier Ramos
Brooke Meredith Reyna
Vanessa Christina Roberts
Lorraine Nicole Rodriguez
Alondra Rojas
Hailey Marie Ruiz
Ryan Walter Sanchez
Jessica Ann Schilling
Vicktoria Elyzabeth Serna
Jessica Dean Silva
Alexandria Erin Torres
Ashley Traxler
Laura L. Trejo
Gabrielle Ann Vaiz
Marisa Marie Vega
Helen Colleen Veit
Caleb Witt Key Walker
Rebecca Ann Westbrook
Ewan Harry Wheelwright
Darienne Joycelyn Parris
Gregory Lee Pepper Jr.
Ariana Isis Santos
Melissa Marie Schroeder
Jelilat Solabi
Lindsey E. Startz
Leticia Irene Villarreal
Yezenia Estefania Zoll
Kwadwo Boakye Amoako-Baah
Presly Jule Austin
Brittani Leanne Fletcher
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Master of Public Administration
Elijah Guerra
Gerardo Hinojosa
Enock Kimutai
Emily Karen Malouf
Seth Jospeh Moran
Ishita Gopalkumar Pathak
COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES
Master of Science in Nursing
Lane Wesley Balcar
Krystina Lara Beardsley
Kailey A. Castillo
Kimberly Cerwonka
Lizette Chavez
Angel Jaime Cuevas Ramirez
Grace J. Davis
Ashley Nicole Flores
Stephen Anthony Garcia
Daniela Magdalena Hernandez
Francisco Sergio Hurtado
Destiny Leigh Irwin
Leila Kazemi
Bonnie Lynn Lopez
Danielle Simone Meador
Erika Marie Pelaez
Anya Natasha Perez
Mario Alberto Ramirez Jr.
Briana Lizette Reyes
Briana Cremar Ridenour
Carol Eunice Rodriguez
Lina Maria Roel
Diana Nicole Ruiz
Gregory Alan Schlachter
Rachel A. Shaw
Michelle Leigh Shuffield
Angelina Yvonne Soderqvist
Cleo Diana Vegkley
Kaitlynn Elisa Webb
Brandon C. Wheeler
Savannah Kali White
Monica Ruby Wright
SCHOOL OF ARTS, MEDIA, & COMMUNICATION
Master of Arts
Olivia Jane-Rachael Prizzia-Pinckney
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Bachelor of Science
Karla Aceves•
Jacob Jesse Aguirre*
Bruna Anguera Salvat‡
Amy Melody Anzaldua
Emily R. Arnold*
Eric Banda Jr.
Emily Eileen Barnett*
Kristine Cara Blackmon*
Kristin Mariellen Bobay*
Emilie Grace Cagle•
Amerilis Faith Castillo‡
Lauren Amber Castillo
Kasandra Lee Chavarria
Laila Simbiat Mojisola Cole‡
Joaquin Cordero Jr.
Denee Alexis Cullum•
Callie Elissa Doyle‡
Clarissa Veronica Elizondo*
Hannah Leigh Favata‡
Toby Matthew Flores
Monica Joann Flores-Zamora‡
Isabella Adorakay Freeman•
Abegayle C. Galindo
Monica Garcia Gonzalez‡
Melissa Marie Garnes
Kimberly Marie Garza*
Stone Gomez
Alydah Raelyn Gonzalez‡
Jackellene Ann Gonzalez
Mya Areli Gonzalez
Thomas G. Granado
Alyssa Nicole Gray
Laney Margaret Harlan
Ashley Harrison•
Alexandria Linda Hellums‡
Stormie A. Herrera•
Deandra Ibarra
Destiny Ann Jones‡
Jillian Kendall Kace•
Kaitlyn Lena Keener
Hanna Bryar Kern
Chase Patrick Koerber
Amanda Leigh Laughlin‡
Natalie M. Lewis
Sarah Renee Lichtenberger
Sloan Victoria Lindemann*
Andres Lozano
Gilberto Martinez III
Jocelyn Breann Massey
Ryan T. McMinn
Terra Jaymes Mcclellen
Vannah V. Molina
Madison Leeann Morrow*
Marcus D. Murphree
Kaitlyn Elizabeth Nelson*
Tristan D. Niedenberger•
Aliyah Maribel Orobio*
Kameron Markell Parker
Stephen D. Parris Jr.
Devon Kyle Patterson Webb
Connor Gordon Quilling
Lucia M. Ramirez‡
Leila Ann Reno•
Cristian S. Rocha•
Savanah Faith Rocha*
Isaac Rodriguez*
Abigail Brenee Rosalez
Iliana Renae Ruiz*
Cade Christian Sanchez
Brenna R. Sims
Angelina Violet Soliz
Cynthia Naomi Soto
Clarissa Grace Soza
Alexis Glendora Spencer*
Danielle L. Strickland•
Madalynne Rose Thornton
Genesis Elaine Varner
Ethan John Vasquez
Savannah Dawn Weiser*
Lauren Julianna Yturria
Lizbeth Zuviri•
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Bachelor of Arts
Samantha Leslie Adames
Katherine Marie Andrade
Logan T. Archambault
Zachary Jordan Austin*
Mariana Aviles‡
Holly Ayala
Aidan Larson Barger
Natalie Reyes Barrera
Kaitlyn Renee Baumann‡
Faith E. Black
Aleena Briones*
Ze'anna C. Brown
Makenzi Rayne Camanillo
Ashton Taylor Carnahan
Keira E. Carson*
Mark Anthony Carwise
Jon-Michael Cason
Erynne Rene Castillo
Jazmin R. Cazares
Isabella Nicole Cerda
Caitlin Elise Cifuentes
Terise L. Clark
Madison Sue Clayton
Breezy Nicole Comte•
Mackenzie Nichole Crockett
Kayden J. Crosby•
Carson Brayden Crowder
Megan Mary Cuda
Hunter Lee Dean
Omenka Jessica Diogu
Breyunna Lecole Dowell
Alexis Jolie Dudash
Julianna L. Duenes
Oren Lane Dye-Barker
Elizabeth Marie Eakin
Emmanuel Fick‡
Zaida Izanette Fortiz
Mercedes T. Deleon‡
Marilu Eguia-Riojas‡
Maria Ochoa Estes
Kelly E. Barbosa*
Jennifer Michelle Ceballos
Maria Paula Contreras•
Analisa Cortinez
Nicholas Agustin Crezo•
Crystal Marie Davila
John Alexander Estrada
Cassandra Izanelly Flores
Cyan Green
Eduardo Hernandez Jr.
Knari Holliday
Harvey Leo Houltby•
Lindsay Megan Hull
Isabella R. Garcia
Natalie Garcia•
Sofia Garcia
Danielle Marie Garza
James B. Gasiorowski‡
Patrick John Giery II
Holden Chance Moon Gonzales
Rachel H. Graff•
Isaiah Robert Guevara
Dustin Marley Hackfeld‡
Trever Thomas Head*
Sean Louis Heald
Riley Rhiannon Henry
Efrain Hernandez Jr.
Andrea Marie Hinojosa‡
Liana Amelia Hinojosa•
Hannah Grace Huber‡
Abigale M. Hussey
Sofia Giselle Ibarra
Maddie Grace Jackson•
Jon T. James
Miranda Jaramillo*
Corbin Jason Jimenez
Gabriella Marie Johnston
Brenda Jacqueline Lopez
Esme Maeve McMullan‡
Alexis Mendoza•
Delilah Rae Morales•
Andrew Don O'Quinn
Cadence Skye Olivarez*
Kenya Satine Outley
Julianna Lee Patterson
Kaylean J. Peck*
Ingebor Penick‡
Lauren Ashley Perez
Kyden Shane Pinkston
Katherine Grace Porter*
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences
Abel Garza*
Ashlynn Ariel Gomez
Donella G. Scurrah
Bachelor of Science
Kaylin E. Jones
Annalise Nicole Loftis*
Sierra Rose Longoria
Maricela A. Lopez•
Victoria Thais Lopez Rodriguez
German Lugo*
Brianna Martinez-Acosta•
Elianna J. Meza
Joshua M. Mondragon*
Fabian Ruben Morales
Hannah Marcella Murry
Hannah Mae Pair‡
Dominique Angelina Perea
Jeanelle Andrea Proctor•
Kayla Cheyenne Puebla
John Matthew Ramirez
Cristina Yamileth Reyes*
Joanne Marie Rhoads*
Kyle C. Risley•
Kayla Victoria Robinson*
Aylin Giselle Rodriguez
Emily Sue Rosalez-Bain
Austin Russell
Isabella Victoria Sanchez
Marianne A. Sanchez•
Janelli Janai Sendejo
Mariana G. Silva
Zoey Elexis Stewart*
Nicholas S. Sunstrom•
Kala Nichole Telashaw
Sylena R. Thompson
Leo Torbor•
Jon-Paul Trevino•
Morgan Aubrey Tullos•
Alondra Alessandra Usai
Sarah Jessica Velasquez
Michael N. Villarreal
Marva Denise Walker
Nicole J. Warren•
Hannah Grace Watson
Samora Shanee Louise Watson
Zoe Renee Weant
Evan Luke Wheat
Sean Christopher Whiteley
Tarik Jamil Whitmore
Kendra Ellen Winfrey•
Brenna Ashley Wingate
Kaitlyn Arabelle Woods‡
Honors Program Graduate
Jennifer Rocio Zamora
Gabriel Dimas Tafolla III*
Wilfred Joseph Yelle V
Pearson Jeffrey Pollard‡
Sarah Elizabeth Porras
Arieana Marie Ramirez
Madeline Nicole Robinson*
Michelle Sanchez-Lara
Marissa Shelton
Daniel Acosta Timog III
Joshua Trevino
Michelle Leeann Valdez•
Peyton Welker
Jayda Ann Ybarra
COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES
Bachelor
of
Science
Lauren Raelynn Castro
Hannah L. Cromeens
Trinity Olivia Guajardo
Meshell Kathleen Hart
Zoya Hirani*
Julyssa Alvarez•
Matthew Tomas Banales
Guadalupe Anahi Barrera
Desiree N. Barrientes
Isabella Ann Blanco
Sarah Elizabeth Brogger
Jiselle Dascha Vilela Camota•
Danielle N. Canales
Ady Ariana Capitan*
Caitlin N. Connolly•
Farrah Lynn Cooper
Elena I. DeLeon*
Lilli A. Easley•
Ruth Anne Jaranilla Enriquez
Analeesa Danielle Espinoza
Lillian Marie Fernandez
Ariana M. Flores•
Clere Rachal Funk
Aurelio Isaac Gallegos III*
Brianna A. Garcia
Dora Silvia Garcia
Ernest John Esquejo Garcia
Alexis Madison Garza
Allen D. Garza
Ciara Renee Garza
Fatima Carolina Gomez Mendoza
Meagan Elizabeth Gonzalez
Sarita Llamas•
Shelley Annette Lopez‡
Alexcia L. Martinez Stommel
Kayce Tam Nguyen
Codey Renee Polasek
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Emma Cecilia Green•
Madyson Dior Guerra
Julissa A. Gutierrez
Baylee Rae Hall
Lauren M. Hennecke*
Aracely Hernandez
Catherine Elva Hernandez
Skylar Marie Hernandez
Angelina Nicole Herrera
Lydia Skye Johnson
Erika Joy Larson
Elise Viktoria Ludan
Kaylynn B. Macek
Jordan Marie Martinson•
Sydney Nicole Mclemore
Natalya Isabel Mena‡
Alexa Brianne Moctezuma
Jolie Renelle Mojica
Araceli Consuelo Morales
Katrina Angelique Moreno
Yvette Ovalle-Garcia
Sydney Kate Partain
Jacquelyn Perez
Ryan Tyler Pfeil
Kale L. Phelps
Ralph Norenz Pangatungan Racaza
Emily Christine Ramirez•
Taylor Santa Ramos
Jordan S. Riojas
Jane Audrey Rodriguez
Cynthia Saenz‡
Hayden E. Shaw*
Kinlee Nicole Ramon•
Alyssa Diamond Ramos
Kaeda Bryn Reamer•
Honors Program Graduate
Kylee Sierra Reyes
Elena Lizbeth Rivas•
Alyssa Marie Rivera
April A. Rodriguez
Beyonce Rodriguez
Miranda Rodriguez
Staci Nicole Rodriguez
Jeremiah Demetrius Rosas Jr.
Sarah Juliana Salinas
Emma Rae Schilhab
Elisabeth S. Serna•
James Truong Ta
Arie L. Terrell
Abigail Reese Thaler
Sebastian A. Verdin•
Lorenzo Rafael Villalobos
Mackenzie Elizabeth Wade
Madelyn R. Ward
Ashley Marie Weis
Mya Cierra Wilson•
Whitley R. Yepez‡
Christin Marie Gerasmio Yoro
SCHOOL OF ARTS, MEDIA, & COMMUNICATION
Bachelor of Arts
Brooklin Kailee Alexander•
Christian J. Amaya
Sullivan Miguel Blanco•
Kyra E. Blundell
Gabriel J. Brooks
Kayla M. Brotherton‡
Ashley Bui
Piper Ashtyn Burke
Renato Cantu
Luke Ryan Carrillo*
Ren C. Christensen*
Julia R. Coleman
Abby C. Corbett•
Rebbecca Nichole Corpus‡
Kimberly Coss
Abigail Cristelia De Jesus*
Alina Dejesus
Katheryn M. Diamond‡
Faith T. Do*
Benjamin Isaac Domingue*
Nicholas V. Duve•
Deja Nicole Ellerbe
Dante R. Ellis*
Isaac Stonewall Empson‡
Cole Flores•
Anevay Lahoma Garcia
Kristine L. Garcia
Jagger Ashton Garza
Hailey Brianne Hennington
Ashton S. Hernandez
Zoe Lynea Paige Jones*
Quentin G. Labrador•
Gideon Samuel Lancaster‡
Corey David Landa
Gabriella Anavey Lopez
Felix Luna
Jaxon A. Mabry
Carlo Manriques
Kaylee Anne Marek
Abigail Martinez
Michael Mondejar
Shaeleigh Rae Mower
Abigail J. Newman
Ylianna Ortegon
Chloe Renee Paulson*
Evelyn Perales
Lanah Phan*
Angelica Lynn Purl
Alyssa Raquel Quezada*
Nex Richard*
Hector Arnoldo Rios Jr.•
Avery Jaclyn Rodriguez*
Sarah Jean Roller•
Leticia Marie Romanucci
Stella Louise Santaniello•
Jacob C. Schirmer.•
Gerardo M. Segundo Jr.•
Alina J. Shorter*
Emilio Reymundo Soliz
Hanna Paige Stidham•
Amanda Morgan Sullivan*
Justin Michael Taylor*
Florisol Berenice Torres*
SCHOOL OF ARTS, MEDIA, & COMMUNICATION
Bachelor of Arts, continued
Kelsey R. Trevino
Charles A. Tucker III
Sierra Danielle Vargas
Juan Cerek Canizales III
Daisy S. Cerda
Adele Patrizia D'Atri‡
Caroline Bailey Ghiloni
Richard Nathaniel Askey II•
Jorge A. Caraccioli
Aracely Esmeralda Garcia•
Frank P. Villalvazo
Dalia Estrella Villarreal-Montes‡
Jalen R. Wheaton•
Tomas Mauricio Whitmarsh
Tara Elizabeth Young
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Asa M. Gonce*
Misty A.Gonzales*
Ashanti M. Ortiz‡
Lorena Andrea Ortiz Jasso‡
Bachelor of Music
Julianne Marie Johnson
Alan Kecevic*
Shawn Lewis*
Osvaldo Romero *
Juliana Jade Shonkwiler
Aylin G. Urquiza•
John I. Medina II*
Officer Commissioning
Second Lieutenant United States Army
Matthew Tomas Banales
Victoria Thais Lopez-Rodriguez
Fabian Ruben Morales
Nicholas S. Sunstrom
The names on this program include all students who have applied for graduation. Conferral of the official degree is based upon completion and certification of all degree requirements.
Commencement Speaker
Nelly Garcia Blow, D.O., is a highly respected physician leader and community advocate whose career reflects an unwavering commitment to compassionate care, health equality, and service to underserved populations. Currently, she is the chief medical officer and family medicine physician at Amistad Community Health Center, where she provides clinical leadership to ensure quality health care delivery while primarily caring for patients 55 and older.
A strong advocate for education and community health, Dr. Garcia Blow is dedicated to improving the lives of Coastal Bend residents. Her leadership is grounded in a deep understanding of the social determinants of health and steadfast belief that quality care should be accessible to all. Beyond her clinical and administrative roles, Dr. Garcia Blow is a passionate advocate for education, mentorship, and community engagement.
A native of Brownsville, Texas, Dr. Garcia Blow earned her medical degree from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. She completed her family medicine residency and geriatric fellowship at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital–Memorial and is board-certified in family medicine and geriatrics.
Dr. Garcia Blow's greatest blessing is her family. She cherishes spending time with her husband, Dr. Osbert Blow, their children, and their beloved puppies.
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents
Mr. Robert L. Albritton, Chairman ...................................................................... Fort Worth
Mr. Jay C. Graham, Vice Chairman ............................................................................ Bryan
Mr. David C. Baggett .............................................................................................. Houston
Mr. John W. Bellinger ....................................................................................... San Antonio
Mr. James R. "Randy" Brooks ........................................................................... San Angelo
Mr. Michael A. "Mike" Hernandez III ................................................................ Fort Worth
Mr. William "Bill" Mahomes, Jr. ................................................................................ Dallas
Ms. Kelley Sullivan Georgiades ........................................................................... Galveston
Mr. R. Sam Torn ...................................................................................................... Houston
Mr. Jaquavous S. Doucette .................................................................................. Fort Worth
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Official Ring
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the Islander Alumni Association unveiled the official ring in 1999. The ring itself is a symbol of achievement, unity, and university spirit. Upperclassmen wear the ring with the school’s name facing their heart. Upon the granting of degrees at commencement, graduates turn the ring around, with the name facing outward. This symbolizes that the graduate is now ready to face new challenges outside the university.
The official ring is a visible, tangible manifestation of the long-lasting bond between Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and its alumni, offering symbolic representation of one’s past, present, and future as an Islander. As always, it is alumni who carry the same pride in their university, and a seamless gold band holds together the many people who have shared a dream—to earn a college education..
University Mace
The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Mace is the wooden staff that is carried by a mace bearer leading the academic processional for commencements, convocations, and special university ceremonies. Originally, the mace was a long-handled club used by knights during the Middle Ages to crush the armor of enemies. Later, ceremonial maces were carried by guards of French and English monarchs. Later still, the mace was carried or placed by a magistrate or dignitary to establish authority. In sessions of the British House of Commons, the mace is placed on the treasury table. In the U.S. House of Representatives, it is placed to the right of the speaker. Today, the University Mace is used to symbolize the authority of the University President and is a grand emblem of tradition at commencement ceremonies for colleges and universities.
Academic Regalia
Academic regalia (cap, gown, and hood) date to 12th-century Europe, where they were worn primarily for warmth by university students as well as laymen. As laymen gradually changed their garb to capes and breeches, institutions of learning prescribed the gown of black for scholars, with a hood draped down the back when not worn over the head and a mortarboard cap shaped like the mortarboard of the master workman.
In 1985 in the United States, the Intercollegiate Commission prepared a code, specifying the design and color of academic regalia for colleges and universities in the United States. Under this code, the bachelor ’s gown has long pointed sleeves. The master’s gown has an oblong sleeve. The doctor’s gown has bell-shaped sleeves. Gowns are generally black; however, a number of schools have adopted special regalia for the doctor’s gown.
The velvet border of the hood may represent either the color of the degree or the color of the field of study. The current trend is for the color to represent the field of study rather than the name of the degree, but in earlier years dark blue was characteristic for a Ph.D. in any field. Hoods are lined with the official colors of the college or university from which the degree is received.
Caps are the traditional mortarboard except for the doctor’s degree, where a four-sided velvet tam is optional. Caps from schools with special color gowns or from foreign universities may be more distinctive. Cap tassels for the doctor’s degree are gold, while the tassels for the master’s and bachelor’s degree are typically black. Holders of all these degrees wear the tassel on the left. The ritual of bachelor’s degree candidates shifting the tassel from right to left marks the conferring of one’s first university degree.
Hood Color Code
Arts, Letters, Humanities ..................................... White Commerce, Accountancy, Business .......................Drab Dental.....................................................................Lilac
Economics.......................................................... Copper
Education ......................................................Light Blue
Engineering ........................................................ Orange
Fine Arts, Architecture ........................................ Brown
Library Science ...................................................Lemon
Nursing...............................................................Apricot
Philosophy..................................................... Dark Blue
Physical Education...................................... Sage Green Public Administration .............................. Peacock Blue
Public Health............................................. Salmon Pink Science ...................................................Golden Yellow Social Work..........................................................Citron Speech ......................................................... Silver Gray
Medicine .............................................................. Green Music.......................................................................Pink
Academic Honors
Students earning academic honors wear cords in recognition of academic excellence. The following honors are awarded at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi:
‡ *
• Summa Cum Laude: the silver honor cord is awarded to graduates whose cumulative grade point average is 3.9 and above.
Magna Cum Laude: the blue honor cord is awarded to graduates whose cumulative grade point average is 3.7 to 3.899.
Cum Laude: the green honor cord is awarded to graduates whose cumulative grade point average is 3.5 to 3.699.
*The honors presented during the ceremony are calculated on the student’s institutional cumulative grade point average and institutional credit hours through the semester prior to filing for graduation. Official honors designation, which includes the calculation of the final semester’s grades and hours, will be indicated on the final transcript and diploma.
Honor Society Medallions and Cords
Students at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi have the privilege of being asked to join honor societies. Membership is based on grade point average and special criteria for each organization such as major, community service, and service to a profession. Students belonging to these honor societies wear cords and medallions that represent their high achievements and the colors and symbols of the organization.
Music Provided by Symphonic Winds
Directed by Dr. Brian Shelton, Professor of Music
Special thanks to the faculty, staff, Student Government Association, and Island Ambassadors who participated in today’s events.