Santa Monica College to Hold 96th Commencement Ceremony June 16

Santa Monica College to Hold 96th Commencement Ceremony June 16

“Student Challenge” to be delivered by graduating Student Speaker Madeline Davis

SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Monica College (SMC) will hold its 96th Commencement Ceremony on Tuesday, June 16, at 4 p.m. at Corsair Field, located on the SMC Main Campus (1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica). The live on-campus ceremony will also be webcast live and available on the SMC Commencement webpage (smc.edu/commencement).

Families and friends from all over the world who are not able to attend graduation in person can go to smc.edu to enjoy the ceremony, congratulatory speeches, and “Move the Tassel Moment” for the graduates. The ceremony also features a “Salutation” by SMC Superintendent/President Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery; “Welcome” by SMC Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Sion Roy; “Introduction of Special Guests” by SMC Superintendent/President Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery; “Faculty Challenge” by SMC Academic Senate President Dr. Vicenta Arrizon, and the “Student Challenge” by graduating Student Speaker Madeline Davis.

“On behalf of everyone at Santa Monica College, and along with the friends, families, and well-wishers of the Class of 2026, I celebrate the grit, determination, and hard work of our graduates,” said Dr. Jeffery. “With singular resolve, they came to SMC to fulfill their aspirations, and today they move on to the next chapter of their career or academic journey. Their accomplishments demonstrate SMC’s life-changing mission in action. I am so proud of them!”

SMC will award 13,264 degrees and certificates to 7,068 students, including 3,050 students who will graduate with more than one degree or certificate. At press time, about 1,100 of the students who have earned degrees and certificates are expected to take part in this year’s graduation activities.

The average age for all graduates is 26. The youngest graduate is 16 years old and graduates with an Associate of Science in Computer Science. The oldest graduate is 85 years old and graduates with three Noncredit Certificates of Competency in English as a Second Language (ESL).

“Commencement reminds us that there is no one way to a college degree,” said SMC Dean of Enrollment Services Esau Tovar. “Our graduates came to SMC with different stories, responsibilities, dreams, and goals. Today, they walk away as college graduates, and we are incredibly proud of the perseverance and purpose they brought with them to this milestone.”

SMC also holds a number of graduating students’ celebrations in the weeks leading up to Commencement (details at smc.edu/commencement). The ceremonies include:

• Lavender Graduating Students Celebration
• Transfer Toast
• APIDA Graduating Student Celebration
• Latine Graduating Student Celebration
• IxD Senior Capstone Presentations
• LA Mode 2026 Fashion Show
• IxD Senior Grad Show
• Center for Media and Design (CMD) Student Showcase
• 4th Annual Black Graduating Student Celebration
• Student Services Awards Celebration
• Respiratory Therapy Ceremony
• Nursing Pinning Ceremony
• Education & Early Childhood Graduation Celebration
• Veterans' Success Center Graduating Students Celebration

• Young Collegians Celebrations

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