COMMENCEMENT 2026
FOUNDED IN 1884
COMMENCEMENT
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Order of Exercises
Processional | Pomp and Circumstance (Elgar)
Sunnie Paxson Band
Presentation of the Mace
Randy Stauffer
Professor | School of Architecture | Interior Design
National Anthem | The Star-Spangled Banner
Firm Soundation
Invocation
Elizabeth Butler-Cooper, D.Min.
Associate Registrar | Academic Affairs
Invitation to Commencement
Jeff Bellantoni
President + Senior Academic Officer
Board of Trustees Speaker
Krista Newkirk
President + CEO
University of Redlands
Board of Trustees Speaker
David Enzminger
Winston & Strawn LLP
Introduction and Hooding of Honorary
Degree Recipient, Ruth E. Carter
Jeff Bellantoni
Commencement Address
Ruth E. Carter
Academy Award-Winning
Costume Designer
Order of Exercises (Continued)
Student Speakers, Class of 2026
Brianna Fong Undergraduate, School of Media : Culture : Design
Regina Troglin Graduate, School of Architecture
Presentation of Program Honors and Student Awards
Jeff Bellantoni
Professional photographers will be taking pictures of each graduate during the ceremony. Additionally, the commencement proceedings will be videotaped. The audience shall refrain from smoking in all areas on campus.
Degrees awarded in the ceremony are conditional upon completion of course requirements in accordance with University policies.
Presentation of Candidates, Class of 2026
Jeff Bellantoni
President + Senior Academic Officer
Heather Flood Dean | School of Architecture
Dr. Joan Marques
Dean | School of Business
Dr. Will McConnell
Director | Liberal Arts & Sciences
Heather Flood Dean | School of Media : Culture : Design
Undergraduate Degrees
Bachelors’ Degrees with Honors
Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Cum Laude
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Science
Graduate Degrees
Master of Architecture
Master of Business Administration
Alumni Speaker
Sonny Ward
Architecture, Class of 2002
President, ASWU
Pheobe Duong
Architecture, Class of 2026
Bachelors’ Degrees with Honors 2026
Summa Cum Laude
Elen Abramyan
Alexander Arenas
Joanna Collins-Bilyeu
Mary Dilanchian
Sheina Galgani
Lilit Gharajyan
Artemisa Gjergo
Ken Goldstein
Gabby Grimm
Natalie Karagezyan
Gelina Mae Liobing
Arpine Mirzakhanyan
Astrid Osses Bolanos
Mason Preece
Maebel Rayner
Nicolas Ruiz
Vincent Ward
Magna Cum Laude
Aylin Arrizon
Sabrina Boykin
Kyle Chiu
Liliana Cholokian
Caia Cibils Daher
Sylvie Damargi
Aiden Delfin
Phoebe Duong
Maya Flores-Villagran
Talia Gerber
Veronica Gonzales
Garrett Gudmundson
Steven Jara
Katherina Karabajakyan
Elen Khachatryan
Grace Kredo-Brown
Diedrick Layton
Alexandra Leiker
Ruby Magzul
Grace Martinez
Jose Mejia Rivera
Kimia Mirelmi
Ariana Naghdi
Michelle Ng
Natalie Nunez Roldan
Nicholas Oguma
Cora Priebe
Evan Pritchard
Wiame Rabbaa
Ani Rodriguez
Ani Samikian
Selene Sanchez
Andrew Sandoval
Paul Solis
Sheree Sparks
Emily Sumeray
Russell Tong
Lilit Tonoyan
Guillermo Velazquez Aguiar
Louraine Watson
Jamie White
Maddax Wilder
Isabella Willet
Andrew Wong
Cum Laude
Abdullah Alkahtani
Mekyla Basconcillo
Kevin Bui
Dawson Cabrera
Arthur Chaldranyan
Finley Corbett
Lillianne Do
Victor Duarte
Brianna Fong
Rein Galvey
Adam Garcia
Parshen Ghazary
Parker Green
Angelina Guerrero-Chavez
Georgina Hernandez
Angelina Hovakimian
Kiran Kaur
Samuel Keimon
Caitlynn King-Murphy
Griffin Knight
Amy Lopez
Daniel Magallanes
Leo Mirzakhanian
Austin Mitchell
Toma Nishiwaki
Daniel Okhovat
Ethan Parker
Jahruneel Rai
Moya Schell
Ekly Sek
Anand Singh
Jacquez Thomas
Emanuel Torabzadeh
Sebastian Verduzco
Hayden Westfall
Ivan Zamora
Rachel Zuniga Coronado
Degree Candidates Spring 2026
School of Architecture
Bachelor of Architecture
ARCHITECTURE
Natalie Abumariam
Michael Alfaro
Abdullah Alkahtani
Ania Avanesian Konaraki
Marvin Ayllon
Jorge Bayardo
Kevin Bui
Patrick Cabot-Jalon
Dawson Cabrera
Sebastian Carle-Tablada
Mark Carriveau
Francisco Cervantes Arias
Edwin Chaj II
Arthur Chaldranyan
Kyle Chiu
Joanna Collins-Bilyeu HP
Sydney Cota
Davean Cruz
Lillianne Do
Phoebe Duong
Maya Flores-Villagran
Artemisa Gjergo
Stepheny Gomez
Justin Gonzalez
Giovanni Grajeda
Parker Green
Garrett Gudmundson
Riesse Hansen
Georgina Hernandez
Adam Hinds
Guadalupe Huichan
Steven Jara
Erik Jimenez Carpinteyro
Kiran Kaur
Caitlynn King-Murphy
Justen Kwong
Diane Lee
Daniel Magallanes
Angelica Magana
Eric Magana Saavedra
Alex Majano-Perez
Erika Alexis Mangalonso
Grace Martinez
Jose Mejia Rivera
Spencer Merry
Lucila Jeannette Miller
Kimia Mirelmi
Leo Mirzakhanian
Austin Mitchell
Ariana Naghdi
Nicole Naser
Mina Nguyen
Agustin Ochoa
Daniel Okhovat
Joseph Ortiz
Erik Ortiz Esparza
Ethan Parker
William Parker IV
Ojaswi Patil
Michelle Perez-Melendrez
Daniel Petrosian
Wiame Rabbaa
Alejandro Ramirez
Taylor Richardson
Ani Rodriguez
Lelu Ruben
Andrew Sandoval
Laura Sarkisyan
Ekly Sek
Kevin Shahbaziyan
Nelli Sharafyan
Sheree Sparks
Rusana Stefanova
Sylvian Sulkis
Russell Tong
Emanuel Torabzadeh
Noro Tourosian
Kyle Tse
Jennifer Vasquez
Jessica Velasquez
Andrew Wong HP
Quintin Wortham
Rachel Zuniga Coronado
Bachelor of Arts
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Cydia Sosa T
Degree Candidates Spring 2026
Bachelor of Fine Arts
INTERIOR DESIGN
Liliana Cholokian
Mary Dilanchian
Gabby Grimm
Amy Lopez
Arpine Mirzakhanyan
Cora Priebe
Ky Tyson
Bachelor of Science
APPLIED COMPUTER
SCIENCE – MEDIA ARTS
Hayden Westfall
COMPUTER SCIENCE
DESIGN COMPUTATION
Mason Preece HP
Bachelor of Science
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Elen Avetisyan
School of Business
Bachelor of Business Administration
ACCOUNTING
Lilit Gharajyan
Ken Goldstein
Ani Samikian
Ivan Zamora
FASHION MARKETING
Aylin Arrizon
Caia Cibils Daher
Veronica Gonzales
Natalie Karagezyan
Ruby Magzul
Michelle Ng
MANAGEMENT
Adam Garcia
Angelina Hovakimian
Toma Nishiwaki
Natalie Nunez Roldan
Andrea Ortega Valles
Astrid Osses Bolanos
Nicolas Ruiz r
Emily Sumeray
Jacquez Thomas
Louraine Watson
MARKETING
Abd Alaziz Anaam
Sylvie Damargi
Sheina Galgani
Katherina Karabajakyan
Janviera Sangara
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Bachelor of Arts
INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
Bianca Colvin
Victor Coro
Ereni Girgis
Spencer Harden
Elen Khachatryan
Jazelle Mendoza
Joshua Osuma
April Vazquez
POLITICAL SCIENCE
Marco Aiello
Menua Simonyan
PSYCHOLOGY
Elen Abramyan
Jahruneel Rai HP
Bachelor of Science
COMPUTER SCIENCE
IN DATA ANALYTICS
Evan Pritchard HP
Psi Chi Honor Society
Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society
Gamma Sigma Alpha Honor Society S
WU Honors Program Completion HP
Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society
Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society T
Degree Candidates Spring 2026
School of Media : Culture: Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts
ANIMATION + VFX
Sabrina Boykin
Linnea Campbell
Tess Cooley
Finley Corbett
Rein Galvey
Angelina Guerrero-Chavez
Grace Kredo-Brown
Alexandra Leiker
Charles Moreland
Renfield Pluma
Stephanie Rodriguez
Selene Sanchez
Keyanii Tapia
Lilit Tonoyan
Guillermo Velazquez Aguiar
Isabella Willet
FASHION DESIGN
Sheeva Afshar
Julia Lo Fiego
Allan Pinedo
Hillary Roda
Vincent Ward
FILMMAKING
Ryan Abner
Aiden Delfin
Kamryn Dominguez
Misha Egorov
Shaylee Kelman
Diedrick Layton
Gelina Mae Liobing
Santiago Matos Rey
Jayden Mebane
Maebel Rayner
Carla Rosales
Moya Schell
Anand Singh
Paul Solis
Sebastian Verduzco
Maddax Wilder
GAME ART & DESIGN
Victor Duarte
Brianna Fong
Michael Garone
Parshen Ghazary
Samuel Keimon
Griffin Knight
Ken Kumagai
Catherine Lazo
Nicholas Oguma
Kirk Perkins
Nicholas Rosenbaum
Jessica Sehwani
Isidro Valdez Palmer
Derek Vetter
Jamie White
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Alexander Arenas
Mekyla Basconcillo
Talia Gerber
Annemarie Salen
Garret Smith
Graduate Degree Candidates Spring 2026
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Payton Beaber
Michael Elbert
Natalie Holmes
Chant Karaghousian
Brandon Kemp
Shandiin Lake
Christina Margosian
Gabriel Masinas
Albert Matar
Ghadir Mounib
Kenneth Oz
Vivian Rogers
Robert Ruiz
Regina Troglin
Eden Yiglletu
School of Business
Master of Business Administration
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE
Sirvard Chaparyan
Bhumi Girish Makwana
Andrew Saroyan
ENTERTAINMENT MANAGEMENT
Esther Romero Orozco
Xiaolin Yu
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Maria Luisa Benavides Macedo
Sosseh Cahvejian
Jennifer Contreras
Patrick Shabani
MANAGEMENT
Monika Khachatryan
Isabella Kirakosian
Erandy Miranda Peregrino
Melody Palma
Arman Petrosyan
Veronika Rostomyan
Tony Sarkissian
Talar Zaki
Program Honors
Accounting
Lilit Gharajyan
Animation + VFX
Guillermo Velazquez Aguiar
Applied Computer
Science – Media Arts
Hayden Westfall
Architecture
Artemisa Gjergo
Computer Science in Data Analytics
Evan Pritchard
Computer Science in Design Computation
Mason Preece
Construction Management
Elen Avetisyan
Fashion Design
Vincent Ward
Fashion Marketing
Natalie Karagezyan
Filmmaking
Gelina Mae Liobing
Game Art and Design
Jamie White
Graphic Design
Alexander Arenas
Interdisciplinary Studies
Elen Khachatryan
Interior Design
Arpine Mirzakhanyan
Management
Nicolas Ruiz
Marketing
Sheina Galgani
Political Science
Menua Simonyan
Psychology
Elen Abramyan
Sustainable Practices
Cydia Sosa
Marshals
Faculty
Randy Stauffer
Professor | School of
Architecture | Interior Design
Students
Lindsey Tobar
BFA in Filmmaking
Josiah Juarez
BFA in Filmmaking
Commencement Speaker
Ruth E. Carter Academy Award-Winning Costume Designer Honorary Doctor of Arts Degree
Ruth E. Carter is the trailblazing, two-time Academy Award-winning American film costume designer, celebrated for her work in bringing to life the vibrant and culturally rich costumes of “Black Panther.” Carter made history as the first Black person to win the Academy Award for Best Costume Design, securing Marvel Studios’ first Oscar in the process. She repeated this groundbreaking success with “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” becoming the first Black woman to win multiple Academy Awards in any category and the first costume designer to win for both a film and its sequel. Most recently, for her work in Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” Carter earned her fifth Academy Award nomination, becoming the most nominated Black Woman in Oscar history.
Carter continues to push boundaries and redefine possibilities in fashion and film. Her visionary approach blends historical authenticity with contemporary innovation, creating iconic looks that transcend the screen. Woodbury University celebrates Carter’s extraordinary contributions to the arts and her enduring impact on the fashion industry
Student Commencement Speakers
Brianna Fong
School of Media : Culture : Design
Undergraduate, BFA Game Art & Design, Class of 2026
Brianna Fong is a 3D artist specializing in hard surface modeling, with a focus on creating immersive, story driven spaces for games. Originally from the Bay Area, she is a graduating senior at Woodbury University, where she has developed a diverse portfolio of game ready assets that reflect both technical precision and a passion for visual storytelling. After experiencing the emotional impact of Halo: Reach, she was drawn to game art with the hope of creating spaces that allow others to feel, escape, and connect in the same way she once did. Throughout her time at Woodbury, Brianna navigated the challenges of balancing creative ambition with technical growth, using each project as an opportunity to refine her voice as an artist. In addition to her academic work, she served as a Writing Center tutor for four years, where she supported and mentored fellow students. She also gained professional experience as a Junior Hard Surface Artist at Clockwork Creations, collaborating within a production pipeline to produce high quality assets. As she graduates, Brianna looks forward to continuing to grow as an artist and contributing to the creation of interactive worlds that engage and inspire players.
Regina
Troglin School of Architecture
Graduate, Master of Architecture, Class of 2026
Regina Troglin is a graduate architecture student whose work centers on accessibility, pedagogy, and the relationship between place and learning. With an academic background spanning architecture, philosophy, and education, her work challenges conventional models of architectural training by questioning who has access to the discipline and how that access is structured. Her thesis reimagines architectural education through a decentralized, community-based model, using Ridgecrest, California as a site to explore how rural communities can serve as active contributors to architectural knowledge rather than passive subjects of study. Regina currently serves as Captain of Veterans of Foreign Wars Ship 4084 in Ridgecrest, where she advocates for and supports local veterans through fundraising, event coordination, and stewardship of the organization’s space. Her leadership is informed by her own military service, which continues to shape her commitment to service, community, and collective responsibility. In parallel, she has spent several years tutoring students in architectural design and digital workflows, reinforcing her dedication to mentorship and accessible education. Through both her academic and community work, Regina is committed to advancing a more inclusive and responsive built environment.
Alumni Commencement Speaker
Sonny Ward School of Architecture
BArch, Class of 2002
Sonny received his B.Arch. from Woodbury University. After graduating from Woodbury University, Sonny remained connected as a member of the Woodbury University Architecture of Civic Engagement Advisory Board.
Sonny Ward currently serves as the Board President and a Governor Appointed Board Member for the California Architects Board. He is also the founder and Principal of June Street Architecture, Inc. in West Hollywood, CA, showcasing his expertise and commitment to architectural practice. In 2023, Sonny was appointed by President Biden to the federal agency: Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Recently, Sonny hosted a Housing and Historic Preservation Roundtable as a member of Council at the Los Angeles City Hall. His efforts to promote dialogue and collaboration in the preservation of our architectural heritage are invaluable. After graduation from Woodbury University, Sonny received his M.Arch. from the University of California, Los Angeles. He lives in Los Angeles, CA with his husband and two children.
Sonny currently serves on the National Center on Adoption and Permanency Board of Advisors, Woodbury University School of Architecture Board of Advisors, Woodbury University Architecture of Civic Engagement Advisory Board and the Emeritus Board for the Family Equality Council.
Welcome Alumni
Welcome to the Woodbury Family!
With Commencement, you officially become a member of the Woodbury University Alumni Association, a family of over 25,000 active graduates residing in all fifty states and more than seventy-seven countries. As an alum of Woodbury University, you’re now part of a powerful network that can support your professional growth and open doors to meaningful opportunities. Your shared experiences here underline the unique connections that last a lifetime.
Notable alumni have built businesses both large and small, designed buildings, established accounting firms, become notable fashion designers for film and television – even designing space suits – held public office, led non-profit organizations, and much more. As you join the ranks of other talented alumni, we invite you to share your professional achievements and personal milestones. We want to stay connected with you throughout your life journey!
Stay Connected, near or far. Stay engaged with lectures, workshops, and alumni events on campus. Consider your alma mater for lifelong learning opportunities, including graduate school. Tap into our resources, including alumni relations, career services, and our online job board. Be an advocate for your university; your voice is our strongest. You’ll always have a meaningful place in our story.
We will be organizing networking and lifelong learning events, both online and in-person, reunions, mixers, and newsletters offering updates on graduates and services available to you through various activities. It is our hope that you will choose to take an active role in your Alumni Association. You will also have the opportunity to join the University of Redlands’ alumni on international travel. Join an alumni board, stay connected.
Thank you for being part of this community.
For additional information on alumni activities, reunions, events, and volunteer opportunities, please visit woodbury.edu/alumni or contact University Development & Alumni Relations at 818.252.5213 to take your first and most important steps toward lifelong involvement at your alma mater!
Dr. Sharon Townsend, DSW, MPA
Executive Director of Development & Alumni Affairs
Office of Advancement
Woodbury University & San Francisco Theological Seminary
About Woodbury
Engagement | Innovation | Transformation
Mission Statement
We transform students into innovative professionals who will contribute responsibly to the global community. We achieve academic excellence by focusing on purposeful student engagement; establishing external partnerships; and ensuring that all of our processes, services, and environment enrich the student experience.
Core Values
> Excellence | Driven by standards of excellence in teaching, services, student wellbeing, community safety and sustainable practices
> Ethics | Setting the highest standards of academic and professional behavior to encourage social responsibility
> Aspiration | Pursuing ever higher levels of competitiveness, distinctiveness and service learning
> Community | Building a culture that values diversity, open communication, collaboration and engagement
Strategic Principles
The speeches of today’s student speakers focus on these strategic principles. They are our values, our active verbs, our lodestars. They form the core of the student experience; they define our aspirations and our outcomes.
> Entrepreneurship | Fostering a culture of creativity, innovation and opportunity
> Design Thinking | Developing the ability, desire and confidence to imagine new ideas to create impact and make a difference
> Civic Engagement | Achieving civic fulfillment through the process of giving baent.
Contribution to Society
Since 1884, Woodbury University has served a distinguished role in meeting the unique educational needs of Southern California students. At the heart of that creative economy, the institution cultivates a personal, interactive learning environment that focuses on innovative, practice-based professional and liberal arts education. Woodbury’s students represent the cultural diversity of Southern California and through this transformative education they are empowered to do extraordinary things.
Woodbury
University Seal
The traditional Woodbury University seal appears on the program you are holding and is also embossed on the diploma that each graduate will receive. The symbolism of the seal has inspired generations of students, alumni, faculty, and administrators. The lamp represents the search for truth and virtue, and the quill pen and book are symbols of the global and historical body of knowledge that students study in the core curriculum and in their respective disciplines.
Board of Trustees
Jamison J Ashby (Chair)
Chief Executive Officer
Community Care Partners
Krista L Newkirk President and CEO University of Redlands
Bradley N Adams International Real Estate
David P Enzminger
Co-Chair Intellectual Property Practice
Winston & Strawn LLP
Afshin Kateb CFO
Nazarian Enterprises and Nimes Capital
Gregory Lippe
Gregory N. Lippe Accountancy Corporation
Sonny Ward ‘03
June Street Architecture, Inc.
President and a Governor Appointed Board Member for the California Architects Board
Congratulations Class of 2026!
Today, we recognize the accomplishments of our graduates—the world’s next generation of the creative class of architects, business entrepreneurs, designers, filmmakers, animators, game creators, writers, and entertainers.
We celebrate not only how far you’ve come, but how far you’re going. We wish you all the best in your journey beyond Woodbury, and as you take your next steps, remember that Woodbury University is never far away. Congratulations once again to the graduating Class of 2026.
Use hashtag #WUGRAD2026 and tag us on your posts so we can see and share on our Instagram page!
Stay Connected!
facebook.com/WoodburyU instagram.com/woodbury_university twitter.com/WoodburyU bit.ly/woodburyvideos
Commencement Committee 2026
Evetth Gonzalez Co-Chair
Michelle Sidney Co-Chair
Ani Amirkhanian Library
Renato Aranda Maintenance
Andrea Bruno Office of the President
Dr. Elizabeth “Lisa” Cooper Academic Affairs
Mauro Diaz Security Office
Pheobe Duong Associated Students of Woodbury University
Annette Haratunian Maintenance
Phillip Haskins Bon Appetit
Jerri Hemsworth Marketing
Galina Kraus School of Architecture
James Ly Information Technology
Francesca Martin School of Business
Brandon Muse Information Technology
Morgan Queen Student Affairs
Dr. Sharon Townsend Alumni Association
Ana Luisa Valencia School of Media : Culture : Design
Carolina Watts Disabilities and Accessibility Services
Special Acknowledgements
Woodbury University Staff
Marisa Adams
Kenia Agaton
Karina Balam
Popy Banerjee
Daniel Bejines
Whitney Brade
Matthew Bridgewater
Timothy Chong
Hayley Crossley
Brad Deron
Dr. Rebecca Devereaux
Laurel DiGangi
Patricia Juarez
Dr. Will McConnell
Milika McCoy
Maria Mendez
David Nicholson-Fajardo
Mary Schindler
Joey Serrichio
Jose Zamora
Christi Zargaryan
Maira Zepeda-Gomez
University of Redlands Staff
Miguel Delgado
Chief Erika Edwards
Greg Elsass
Kristin Grammer
Caroline Rodriguez
Melinda Jo Sanchez
Shelli Stockton
Teresa Webster
Public Safety University of Redlands
UR Maintenance Team
CONGRATULATIONS WOODBURY CLASS OF 2026
