KINGSTON, R.I. – April 29, 2026 – Nine students will share their experiences at the University of Rhode Island and words of encouragement and wisdom with fellow graduates during the University’s Spring 2026 Commencement Weekend.
URI will celebrate the achievements of more than 4,000 graduate and undergraduate degree recipients with their families and friends—and student speakers will again be part of the pomp and circumstance. Eight ceremonies for all nine of the University’s academic colleges will be held May 15-17 in the Ryan Center on the Kingston Campus.
The student speakers for this spring’s commencement festivities are Skyla Anderson, Asta Habtemichael, Jordyn Hickey, Julia Johnson, Zoie Ndonye, Prachi Patel, Gianna Petrangelo, Victoria Reilly, and Angel Vega.
Julia Johnson, from Pretty Prairie, Kansas, who will receive her doctorate in physical therapy, will address her fellow graduates from the College of Health Sciences on Friday, May 15, at 11 a.m.—the weekend’s first celebration. Johnson will begin her career in geriatric neurorehabilitation, with plans to pursue her neurological clinical specialist board certification in furthering her professional development.
“Graduating from URI represents both an accomplishment and a new beginning. It signifies years of hard work, challenges, growth and perseverance, and it marks the start of a professional career,” Johnson said. “My experience at URI broadened my perspective and deepened my cultural understanding. It challenged me to grow academically, professionally, and personally, pushing me beyond my comfort zone and strengthening my confidence.”
Jordyn Hickey, a West Babylon, New York, resident who will graduate with a master of business administration degree, will address the College of Business ceremony on May 15 at 4 p.m. Hickey will attend Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol to pursue her law degree, noting her undergraduate and MBA experiences at URI shaped her interest in advocacy and problem-solving. As a first-generation college student, graduating from URI carries deeper meaning to Hickey’s family, she said.
“I’ve learned that growth comes from staying curious and not settling too quickly,” she said. “URI didn’t just prepare me academically. It also gave me the confidence to take on what comes next.”
On Saturday, May 16, Pawtucket resident Skyla Anderson, a Harrington School of Communication and Media student who will receive her bachelor’s degree in public relations, will deliver her speech during the College of Arts and Sciences ceremony at 9 a.m. Anderson plans to continue growing her freelance work in wedding content creation and small business marketing. She will also pursue an MBA in marketing at Fitchburg State University.
“My time on campus shaped me into the woman I am today by teaching me how to advocate for myself and for others. I learned the importance of community and how meaningful connections can support both personal and professional growth,” Anderson said. “Coming from generations of Talent Development alumni who returned to help others, I feel a responsibility to pay it forward and continue that tradition.”
Gianna Petrangelo, of West Warwick, will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in nursing and will speak to her fellow graduates from the College of Nursing at 2 p.m. on May 16. She will soon begin her career as a registered nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Petrangelo said graduating from the University represents four years of growth, resilience, and becoming more confident in herself—even in moments that once felt overwhelming.
“Through clinicals, mentorship, and the relationships I’ve built, I’ve learned how to think critically, address serious situations, and advocate for my patients,” she said. “Most importantly, URI helped shape me into someone who understands that being a nurse isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing up, staying adaptable, and being there for patients and their families when it matters most.”
Then, at 5 p.m. on May 16, Victoria Reilly of Johnston, who will graduate with a doctorate in mechanical engineering, will take the microphone on stage during the College of Engineering ceremony. Reilly, a three-time URI graduate, co-owns Unity Consulting Group, a strategic consulting company that assists Rhode Island business leaders strengthen and grow their operations. She plans to continue building Unity while also working with an engineering organization to deepen her technical experience.
“Graduating means so much more to me than just finishing a degree. It reflects seven years of growth in an environment that pushed me beyond what I perceived to be my limits, while also supporting me,” Reilly said. “This place taught me how to think, how to lead and how to keep moving forward when things don’t go as planned.”
On May 17 at 9 a.m., Zoie Ndonye and Asta Habtemichael will speak to their fellow graduates in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences and the Graduate School of Oceanography. Ndonye, from Nairobi, Kenya, who is earning a bachelor’s degree in animal science and technology, will continue working at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists in East Greenwich. She also plans to apply to veterinary school to become a voice for wildlife animals, she said.
“Graduating from URI means showing those who are like me—young, curious and unique women of color—that anything is possible, that they can achieve their goals and more. In a world where uncertainty is certain, you can never give up no matter what gets thrown your way,” Ndonye said. “Having testimonies from friends, faculty, and staff from all possible corners of the campus fitting like pieces of a puzzle, has shaped the Zoie that has formed through these four years.”
Asta Habtemichael, from Eritrea, will graduate with a doctorate in oceanography. He will participate in the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education’s postdoctoral fellowship program to conduct research at the Pacific Northwest National Library in Richland, Washington. URI became Habtemichael’s second home, he said, meeting collaborators and friends, and building lasting relationships along the way.
“I feel proud being an alum of such an incredible institution,” Habtemichael said. “My academic, research, and service experiences at URI have taught me the importance of humility, empathy, and community in leadership. As a scientist, I carry these values with me as I engage with different communities to tackle deep-rooted and complex problems and develop holistic solutions.”
At 1 p.m. on May 17, Providence resident Angel Vega, who is graduating with a master’s degree in college student personnel—she previously earned bachelor’s degrees in secondary education, English, and human development and family science—will address the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education ceremony. While Vega is exploring where she will begin her next chapter, she intends to continue growing as a practitioner and later pursue a doctoral degree in higher education or a related field. Vega is striving to contribute to more equitable campus environments and expand opportunities for students to feel they belong.
“URI challenged me to grow in a multitude of ways. It gave me the space to find my voice, to lead with purpose, and to uplift and empower those around me,” Vega said. “I came here as a young girl who felt like she had something to prove, and I am leaving as a woman with so much to be proud of—grounded in my identity, confident in my purpose, and committed to creating spaces where others feel seen, supported, and valued.”
Prachi Patel of Norton, Massachusetts, will speak to her fellow graduates from the College of Pharmacy to conclude the weekend’s commencement festivities at 4 p.m. Patel, who is graduating with a doctorate in pharmacy, will begin post-graduate training at a residency at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque. She is interested in becoming an ambulatory care pharmacist.
“I’ve learned at URI that growth doesn’t come from staying comfortable. URI gave me the opportunities to lead, to fail, to adapt, and to keep going. It shaped me into someone who is not only prepared for a career in pharmacy, but also committed to continuously improving and contributing to something larger than myself,” Patel said. “Graduating from URI isn’t just about earning a degree, it’s about advocating for myself and others, and stepping into spaces where I could create a meaningful impact.”
To learn more about URI’s Commencement Weekend and to view a full schedule of ceremonies, visit the University’s commencement website.