Commencement

Mike Coke

Distinguished Alumni Honoree Mike Coke, ’90, Invests in the Future—From Wall Street to the East Bay

Mike Coke, ’90, is a Distinguished Alumni Award honoree from the College of Business & Economics.

May 16, 2025

Don Tirsell

Distinguished Alumni Honoree Don Tirsell, ’87, Connects the Cloud to the World

Don Tirsell, ’87, is a Distinguished Alumni Award honoree from the College of Science.

May 15, 2025

Aristide Collins

Distinguished Alumni Honoree Aristide Collins Jr., ’93, Builds a Legacy of Leadership Rooted in Purpose

Aristide Collins Jr., ’93, is a Distinguished Alumni Award honoree from the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences.

May 14, 2025

Rosanna Mucetti

Distinguished Alumni Award Honoree Rosanna Mucetti, ’05, Champions Equity, Voice and Systemic Change

Rosanna Mucetti, ’05, is a Distinguished Alumni Award honoree from the College of Education and Allied Studies.

May 13, 2025

sheila Burks

Cal State East Bay to Confer Honorary Degree to Food Bank Director sheila Burks

Cal State East Bay will confer an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to sheila Burks during the May 18 commencement ceremony for the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences at 9 a.m. 

May 12, 2025

Jessica Brown

To The Healthcare Professionals: Make Sure Every Patient Is Heard

When Jessica Brown started attending Cal State East Bay, she was already equipped with 20 years of experience as a registered nurse. She will cross the stage on May 10 with her fellow College of Science graduates.

May 10, 2024

Julian Lopez

To those struggling: Don’t let adversity define you. Change your response.

Julian Lopez was awarded a scholarship to join Cal State East Bay Men’s Basketball. But at the age of 18, he was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect that could be deadly if not treated. Lopez returned to the court and, on May 12, will receive his master’s degree in business marketing and management.

May 9, 2024

Justin Matties holding his Nike super shoe

To the Runners: Don’t be afraid to race toward the unknown

He chose Cal State East Bay because of the cross country and track program. He stayed to continue on for his master’s in kinesiology. Matties will be graduating May 9 at 5 p.m. in the ceremony for the College of Education and Allied Studies.

May 8, 2024

Freda Harris

To Those Who Had a Rocky Start: Don’t Let Your Beginning Determine the Middle and End of Your Story

For over 35 years, drugs tore her family apart. Armed with a Cal State East Bay degree and an entrepreneur’s vision, Freda Harris is ready to fight back. On May 12th, Harris will be the first in her family to graduate with a degree in Business Administration.

May 7, 2024

Brittany Williams and her two children

For the Mamas: Keep chasing your dreams. You will catch them.

When Brittany Williams got pregnant during her senior year at Hayward High School, her dreams of going to college almost evaporated. On May 11, Williams will receive her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with a concentration in college prep.

May 6, 2024

Brittany Karki, B.S in Physics. "I am a woman in STEM"

Making Sense out of Nonsense: How One Graduating Senior Learned the Law of Physics on the Road Less Traveled

In 2020, Karki transferred to Cal State East Bay. She is graduating this spring with a bachelor of science in physics and has been accepted into seven Ph.D. programs at universities across the country.

May 10, 2023

Tara Ferrao

How One Student Took the Step Forward in Her Journey to Success

Ferrao, a longtime Bay Area resident, didn’t always know what she wanted to do after graduating from high school in Martinez, California. This May, she will be walking across the stage at commencement and earning a degree in kinesiology.

May 9, 2023

Valerie Batino

How One Transfer Student Found Community at Cal State East Bay

When Valerie Christine Batino transferred from De Anza College to Cal State East Bay, she took advantage of everything ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø has to offer.

May 8, 2023

Forrest Jones, B.A. in Sociology: I am Success

How a Prison Sentence Put One Graduate on His Path Toward True Freedom

After being paroled in 2018, Jones sought out the programs and resources he wished he had years ago. Jones will graduate this spring with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

May 4, 2023

Congratulations Mildred Howard, Honorary Doctorate Recipient

Cal State East Bay to Confer Honorary Degree to Bay Area Artist Mildred Howard

Howard, a lifelong East Bay resident, is an artist with sculptural installation and mixed-media assemblages on national and international display.

May 4, 2023

Cal State East Bay Commencement

Cal State East Bay to Celebrate Graduates in May Commencement Ceremonies

Cal State East Bay will celebrate the Class of 2023 at 12 ceremonies held at two different university venues from Thursday, May 11 through Sunday, May 14.

May 4, 2023

Fabiola Ornelas

From 'Dreamer' to Dream Come True

Sociology graduate reflects on growing up undocumented and helping others as a substance abuse counselor

May 9, 2022