Albertus Magnus College Ushers in a New Century at 103rd Commencement
Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating the Resilient Spirit and Extraordinary Achievements of the Class of 2026
New Haven, Conn., May 5, 2026 – On Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.,Albertus Magnus College will celebrate its centennial at its 103rd Commencement ceremony. This year’s graduates, known as the Centennial Class, represent the first cohort to lead the College into its Second Century of Excellence.
The celebration begins with the traditional, spirited procession down Prospect Street, culminating at the iconic Rosary Hall for a ceremony steeped in pomp and circumstance and Dominican tradition. In honor of the College’s Centennial, Dr. Marc M. Camille, President, Albertus Magnus College, will be the Commencement Speaker at this year’s ceremony.
Among the graduates crossing the stage are individuals who embody the resilient, leadership-driven spirit of the Albertus community:
Another Albertus Commencement tradition is the awarding of Honorary Degrees to distinguished individuals whose life and work embody the College’s mission, recognizing them for their inspiring, values-based leadership. The 2026 Albertus Honorary Degree recipients will be:
Amy Stevens ‘26
Amy Stevens ‘26 is a record-breaking leader at Albertus Magnus College. The 2025 GNAC Goalkeeper of the Year and all-time career saves leader, Stevens captained the women’s soccer team while maintaining a high-profile presence across campus. As President of the Honors Program and a dedicated writing tutor, she has become a role model for the next generation of Falcons. Amy is currently student teaching while completing her B.A. in Mathematics, with plans to inspire future students as a high school math teacher.
Zanaya Yancey Gordon ‘26
Zanaya Yancey Gordon ‘26 is a mother, a scholar, and a future legal advocate, and she embodies the resilient spirit of the Albertus Magnus community. After overcoming significant personal loss and a mid-degree hiatus, she returned to the College to complete her B.S. in Criminal Justice with minors in Computer Information Systems and Sociology. By leveraging the flexibility of the Accelerated Adult Undergraduate program, Zanaya turned past challenges into a foundation for future success. This May, she walks across the stage not just as a graduate, but as a future law school candidate dedicated to systemic change.
Paola Rodriguez Acuna ‘26
Paola Rodriguez Acuna ‘26 is an Accelerated Adult Undergraduate student at Albertus Magnus College, and maintains a 4.0 GPA while balancing work, family, and newly married life. An immigrant from Mexico who arrived in the U.S. at age 12, she has prioritized financial responsibility and is completing her degree debt-free. Embracing the flexibility of the accelerated program and a tuition discount through her employer, United Illuminating, Paola’s perseverance and dedication have enabled her to excel academically as she builds a clear path to achieve her goals.
Jahsai “JJ” Martin-Fish ‘26
Jahsai “JJ” Martin-Fish ‘26 is the quintessential ambassador of the Albertus Magnus spirit, known across campus for his infectious positivity and dedication. A Sport Management major and resilient student-athlete, JJ transformed his experience on the men’s lacrosse team into a powerful catalyst for personal and academic growth. Whether he was leading by example on the athletic field or supporting his peers in the classroom, JJ’s journey from a challenging background to a campus leader defines the Falcon experience. As he prepares for graduation, he leaves behind a legacy of teamwork, enthusiasm, and a profound commitment to his community.
In keeping with Commencement tradition, Albertus will confer honorary Doctor of Humane
Letters degrees upon two distinguished leaders for their values-based contributions
to society:
The College will also present the St. Dominic Medal, an honor recognizing those whose
missions align with the four Dominican Pillars: Study, Prayer, Community, and Service.
The 2026 recipients are:
To learn more about The Centennial Class and their accomplishments, meaningful connections, and future ambitions, please visit https://www.albertus.edu/success-stories/commencement-2026.php.
About Albertus Magnus College
Founded in 1925, Albertus is a coeducational Catholic College in the Dominican tradition. Albertus' values- and liberal arts-based education is recognized by external rankings such as US News & World Report, Money, and The New York Times, and has been named a Top 10 Military Friendly School. For ten consecutive years, at least 95% of Albertus graduates have attained employment or gone on to graduate studies within six months of completing their degrees. The College has an enrollment of approximately 1,300 students across its traditional undergraduate, accelerated adult undergraduate, and graduate program levels. Proud to enroll a student body where nearly half of its undergraduate students receive Federal Pell Grants and are first-generation college goers, Albertus is known for its innovative curricular offerings, recently launching new Bachelor's degree programs in Nursing, including BSN and Connecticut's first LPN-to-BSN; General Health Sciences; Interdisciplinary Studies; and Public Health.
Among its graduate offerings is the State of Connecticut's only Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program, and it is just one of three schools to offer a Master of Science in Human Services. In 2025-26, Albertus is celebrating its historic 100th Anniversary and completing implementation of the Albertus 2025: Lighting the Way to a Second Century strategic plan, with a bold vision to "be a destination liberal arts-based college, distinguished in its interdisciplinary and experiential approach to education, rooted in Dominican values, that prepares students for lifelong civic engagement and success." To learn more, please visit albertus.edu.