Ramapo College Sends New Generation of Changemakers Into the World 

May 14, 2026

by Lauren Ferguson

More than 1,500 bold Roadrunners accepted their hard-earned degrees from Ramapo College of New Jersey Thursday, during a spirited commencement ceremony at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

“It is as inspiring as it is awesome to see you all here today, no longer waiting, now stepping forward – ready to shine like you were born to be. The world needs you and you are ready,” Ramapo College President Dr. Cindy Jebb told the Class of 2026.

Thousands of alumni, family members, trustees, professors and other supporters packed the arena, eager to celebrate their Roadrunners. They cheered as graduates filed onto the floor, led by their respective deans and members of the Honor Guard, graduates selected by their deans for their scholarship and contributions to the college.

Ramapo’s class of 2026 filed into the Prudential Center.

The electrifying ceremony was an opportunity for supporters and the tight-knit Ramapo community to celebrate the journeys of both undergraduate and graduate students who spent years learning and growing alongside each other and their mentoring professors on Ramapo’s picturesque, Mahwah, NJ campus. More than 1,200 Roadrunners accepted bachelor’s degrees, more than 300 accepted master’s degrees and five accepted doctoral degrees.

The ceremony officially began when Grand Marshal Dr. Kathleen Ray, interim dean of the School of Social Science and Human Services and director of Ramapo’s Master of Social Work (MSW) Program, held up the College Mace. The handcrafted mace, featuring Ramapo’s seal on a silver medallion, is carried by a faculty member who leads the processional for Ramapo’s annual major academic ceremonies such as opening convocation and commencement.

Members of the dais party on stage also included keynote speaker ESPN Radio broadcaster and voice of the New Jersey Devils Don La Greca ’92, Board of Trustees Chair Albie Nieves, immediate past chair Susan Vallario, Provost Dr. Michael Middleton, Alumni Association Vice President Christopher Emch ’14 and members of the Board of Trustees.

Dr. Jebb introduced La Greca to the crowd. “It is always inspiring to see alumni who’ve turned their passion into profession and Don has done just that,” she said. La Greca was at home in the Prudential Center, where he now does television play-by-play on MSG Networks for the New Jersey Devils – a team he has rooted for since he was a child growing up in Hawthorne, NJ.

Broadcaster Don La Greca ’92 adressed Ramapo’s class of 2026.

La Greca shared his career journey, from his start at Ramapo’s WRPR-FM radio station to becoming a premier sports broadcaster. A first-generation college student, the hands-on education he experienced working for WRPR-FM, and his mentoring advisor made all the difference for him.

“WRPR was a major element to my career. I spent every waking moment at that place. Doing shows, editing sound, play-by-play for baseball and basketball. I never left that place,” he shared. He said the experience led to an internship at KROCK, which eventually led to other opportunities – although there were many bumps along the way. “The journey was long, but so worth it when you reach your goals,” he said.

La Greca said through all the ups and downs of building his career, his family was there by his side. He reminded graduates just how proud their families are of them. “Remember, all that you do not only reflects on you, but also the people around you. For our graduates today, your family is just as proud of what you’ve done as you are,” he said.

The family of Luannee Hernandez ’26 secured front row seats to get a prime view of her commencement day.

That is certainly true for Marketing Major Luannee Hernandez ’26, of Cartarette, NJ whose parents, five siblings and boyfriend arrived early for front row seats. “She is so hardworking, she has a beautiful personality, she is just a people magnet. I know she is going to do great,” said Luannee’s mother Annabelle Hernandez. “She is going for her master’s in higher education. Her whole family is so proud.”

Nursing Major Marina Zelaya ’26’s family also beamed with pride. Zelaya, of Ridgefield Park, NJ persevered through nursing classes and clinicals while pregnant, to celebrate graduation with her mother, “very proud” husband and 5-month-old daughter Ariella by her side.

Nursing Major Marina Zelaya ’26 holds daughter Ariella.

Graduates also heard from student speaker Sarah Glisson ’26, a political science major and public policy minor, from Cinnaminson, NJ – and Ramapo’s first-ever Truman Scholar. Recognized nationally for her academic excellence, leadership and commitment to public service, Glisson plans to pursue a career dedicated to expanding access to affordable healthcare.

“Looking back on our time at Ramapo, it certainly wasn’t always easy, but now we’re standing here, in caps and gowns, and we are stronger now than we ever imagined we could be. All of those challenging days remind us that growth doesn’t happen all at once–it happens in small steps forward … like stepping stones,” said Glisson.

Glisson encouraged the Class of 2026 to be proud, stay curious and continue to grow because “in the end, we are not defined by a single achievement or moment of failure, but by how we grow along the way.” She said the most beautiful and meaningful things in life are the “compassion you show others, the communities you help build, and the difference you make.”

Dr. Jebb said “Sarah represents not only the achievements of the Class of 2026, but also its passion and commitment to making a difference.”

Sarah Glisson ’26 served as student speaker during Ramapo’s 2026 commencement.

“At Ramapo, we develop empathetic problem solvers, ethical change agents, and responsible leaders – graduates well-equipped to not only succeed in a changing world, but shape it for the better,” Jebb said.

Other graduating Roadrunners headed for graduate school, law school, and careers in diverse fields include:

• Kyree Robinson-Banks ’26, an Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) scholar and first-generation student headed to law school;
• Sophia Kopreski ’26, Ramapo’s second-ever New York City Urban Fellow;
• Arthur Khaytin ’26 and Bani Dhillon Hira ’26, a pair of friends who fueled each other’s journeys to dental school; and
• Emily Morra ‘26, a transfer student whose internships are paving the way to a career in sports analytics.

Dr. Jebb told graduates, “this is your moment. And all of us gathered together today cannot wait to experience your impact.”

As each school was called up to the stage, the proud graduates lined up to receive their diplomas. Their names were called, one by one. They celebrated – some dancing off stage, smiling, hi-fiving and hugging.

Ramapo College President Dr. Cindy Jebb, right,  congratulated graduates on stage at th e Prudential Center.

Undergraduate students accepted degrees from the Anisfield School of Business, School of Contemporary Arts, School of Humanities and Global Studies, School of Social Science and Human Services, and School of Theoretical and Applied Science.

Graduate students – who were additionally honored in smaller hooding ceremonies on campus Wednesday – earned master’s degrees in fields such as Nursing, Data Science, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Accounting, Contemporary Instructional Design, Educational Leadership, Creative Music Technology, Special Education and Social Work. Five doctoral students earned their Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

In a moving moment, the graduates were then led by Professor of Music / Musicology Dr. Marc Gidal, Grand Marshal Dr. Ray, and Provost Dr. Middleton to turn their tassels symbolizing that they earned their degrees.

“We congratulate you and your families on your graduation day. We are so proud of all you have accomplished over the past few years,” Ramapo College Alumni Association Vice President Christopher Emch ‘14 told the graduates before officially welcoming them as members of the Ramapo College Alumni Association.

“Congratulations, Ramapo College class of 2026! Toss your caps!” he instructed.

Graduates tossed their caps in celebration as maroon and white confetti rained down.

Ramapo’s class of 2026 celebrated at the Prudential Center.

“I’m ready to go on and make changes in the world for the better,” said Visual Arts Major Nicholas San Inocencio ’26 of Union, NJ. He said he was tossing his cap for his mom and dad.

As a first-generation college student, fellow Visual Arts Major Nicole Dipre ’26 of Teaneck, NJ, said she was tossing her cap for “all of my ancestors before me.”

“I feel so grateful for everything I’ve been able to accomplish here. I feel fulfilled. Very emotional, still sad to leave, but more than that, I feel gratitude and love,” Dipre said.

The ceremony also featured stirring renditions of the Star Spangled Banner, sung by Theater Major Desiree S. Bounds ’26 of Lawnside, NJ, and the Ramapo College Alma Mater performed by Economics Major Amisha Singh ’26 of Bogota, NJ, and Assistant Professor of Music Mack Brandon.

For a gallery of commencement photos, visit Ramapo’s commencement website.