Ready for the Next Chapter
The 2026 special graduation issue of SMC in Focus celebrates the resilience, excellence, and tremendous promise of Santa Monica College’s 7,000+ graduates who earned a degree or certificate on June 16. This issue brings to you the in-depth stories (and photos!) of the students who were featured in the commencement program—student speaker Madeline Davis, interior architectural design major Mia Carreto, Navy veteran and Corsair news editor Kayjel Mairena, Jakarta native Bryan Hartanto, and Corsair staffer Jeffrey Berrios. They represent the untold stories, talent, and grit of the Class of 2026. We are so proud of them! #ProudToBeSMC.
Believing in Herself
At Santa Monica College, Madeline Davis transformed years of self-doubt into student success, a passion for teaching—and a future she once thought impossible.
Chasing Her Interior Dreams
This first-gen Corsair racked up interior design awards, earned straight A’s and pulled all-nighters in the studio — all while commuting, working part-time jobs, and helping out with the family cleaning business.
Bearing Witness
From Navy ships to city streets, Kayjel Mairena built a journalism career at SMC focused on documenting and serving communities in need.
Writing a New Chapter
Coming to Santa Monica College for a fresh start, Jeffrey Berrios found community in his classes and confidence in writing for The Corsair.
Bragging Rights
An Art prof has a museum show. An SMC Fashion alum dresses a celebrity. The College gets a $250k grant to design equity-centered professional development.
From Shoeboxes to Skyscrapers
Jakarta native Bryan Hartanto turned his fixation on infrastructure into an extraordinary journey through SMC—collecting research projects, leadership roles and campus jobs. Headed to UC San Diego for civil engineering, Bryan is determined to keep on building.
SMC In the News
SMC Wins Approval for Cloud Computing Bachelor’s Degree
SMC Student Named Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Recipient
SMC Alum Awarded TV Academy Foundation Apprenticeship
'Concrete Hope' Artists Show Us the Weight of the Camera
SMC Awarded Grant to Expand Pathways for Certified Wellness Coaches
SMC Commencement
Proud To Be SMC 💙