Current
Class of 2024
Commencement
Over the course of seven ceremonies earlier this spring, UNH said “hail and farewell” to the members of the class of 2024. Outgoing president James W. Dean Jr. presided over each Commencement, with family and friends of the graduates fathering in the Whittemore Center Arena to cheer on the accomplishments of those in robes and tassels.
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Grads: 368
Commencement speaker
Norbu Tenzing Norgay ’86 has served as vice president of the American Himalayan Foundation, a nonprofit that brings shelter, safety, health and opportunity to people across the Himalaya, since 1993. He is a son of history’s most famous Mount Everest sherpa, Tenzing Norgay. Along with Edmund Hillary in 1953, Tenzing Norgay became the first person known to have reached Everest’s summit. Last year marked the 70th anniversary of his father’s famous ascent, and Norgay traveled around the world, stopping in the UK, Switzerland, New Zealand and other locations to speak about the challenges sherpas face, most notably those related to the changing climate.
Degrees in Detail
Degrees in Detail
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Applied Mathematics, with specialties in computation, dynamics and controls, economics or fluid dynamics7
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Bioengineering18
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Chemical Engineering19
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Chemistry10
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Civil Engineering46
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Computer Engineering6
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Computer Science, including specialties in algorithms, cybersecurity or systems61
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Earth Sciences8
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Electrical Engineering16
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Engineering Physics2
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Environmental Engineering17
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Environmental Science: Geosystems1
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Environmental Science: Hydrology1
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Information Technology26
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Mathematics16
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Mathematics Education: Secondary Education1
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Mechanical Engineering78
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Ocean Engineering8
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Physics9
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Statistics11
Special award
Kash Kapadia ’99 received a Distinguished Alumni award for his successful career in technology innovation and building businesses. He is the president and CEO of Kohler Ventures. In 2021, Kapadia was also elected to the UNH Entrepreneur Hall of Fame.
Student speaker
Kathryn Carlson ’24, chemical engineering
UNH Graduate School
Grads: 920
Commencement speaker
Roger Stephenson ’79 ’83G was most recently Northeast regional advocacy director for the Climate and Energy program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. In his role at UCS, he worked with analysts and campaign managers to expand the program’s outreach and engage UCS supporters, Science Network members, and community leaders to promote state and federal climate and clean energy policies. Now retired, he has 25 years of experience working with business, government and nonprofit executives on stakeholder relations, coalition building, grassroots organizing and public affairs. He was also a special assistant to the Secretary of the Interior and in the White House Council on Environmental Quality. His UNH degrees are in zoology and wildlife biology.
Degrees in Detail
Degrees in Detail
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Accounting6
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Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner5
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Agricultural Sciences6
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Analytical Economics1
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Biochemistry1
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Biological Sciences: Integrative and Organismal Biology1
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Biological Sciences: Marine Biology3
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Biotechnology: Industrial and Biomedical Sciences17
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Business Administration, with special emphasis on finance, global business, growth and innovation, information systems and business analytics or marketing114
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Business Analytics21
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Chemical Engineering1
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Chemistry1
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Civil and Environmental Engineering16
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Communication Sciences and Disorders34
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Community Development Policy and Practice6
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Computer Science8
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Cybersecurity Engineering6
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Cybersecurity Policy and Risk Management13
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Earth Sciences, including concentrations in geochemical systems or geology7
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Economics3
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Educational Administration and Supervision5
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Educational Studies24
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Electrical and Computer Engineering2
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Elementary Education17
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English2
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English Studies1
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English: Language and Linguistics1
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Finance11
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Genetics4
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Global Conflict and Human Security4
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Healthcare Management5
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Heath Data Science3
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History5
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History: Museum Studies5
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Human Development and Family Studies: Marriage and Family Therapy7
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Human Services Administration11
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Information Technology6
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Instruction and Leadership10
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Justice Studies14
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Kinesiology5
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Leadership19
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Liberal Studies1
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Marine Biology1
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Materials Science2
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Mathematics4
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Mathematics: Applied Mathematics1
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Mathematics: Statistics1
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Mechanical Engineering4
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Microbiology1
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Molecular and Cellular Biotechnology10
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Music: Music Conducting1
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National Security Intelligence Analysis8
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Natural Resources and the Environment4
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Natural Resources: Ecosystem Science3
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Natural Resources: Environmental Conservation and Sustainability1
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Natural Resources: Environmental Economics1
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Natural Resources: Forestry2
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Natural Resources: Wildlife and Conservation Biology4
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Nonprofit Leadership7
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Nursing, including adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, clinical nurse leader, primary care family nurse practitioner, evidence-based practice or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner69
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Nursing Health Care Education6
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Nutrition4
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Nutritional Sciences14
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Occupational Therapy45
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Ocean Engineering4
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Ocean Engineering: Ocean Mapping1
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Oceanography6
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Physics7
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Political Science1
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Project Management14
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Psychology2
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Public Administration16
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Public Health6
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Public Policy5
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Recreation Management and Policy, including concentrations in Adaptive Sports, recreation administration or therapeutic recreation administration8
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Secondary Education17
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Social Work82
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Sociology2
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Special Education1
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Statistics3
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Writing13
Student speaker
Hannah Lightcap ’21G, 2024 PhD, candidate in psychology
College of Health and Human Services
Grads: 532
CEPS Commencement speaker
Christine McMahon ’94G, president and CEO, The Fedcap Group, holds a master’s in health administration from UNH. Nationally recognized for her ability to build innovative and impactful organizations, McMahon’s career has been dedicated to breaking down barriers to underserved communities across a wide range of areas, including human services and healthcare programming. Fedcap Group serves more than 230,000 clients in more than 20 states with a global presence in the UK and Canada. The organization is dedicated to creating opportunities and enhancing the lives of those facing barriers to economic well-being.
Degrees in Detail
Degrees in Detail
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Communication Sciences and Disorders35
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Exercise Science44
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Family Studies1
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Health and Physical Education12
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Health Management and Policy20
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Health Sciences39
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Human Development and Family Studies70
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Nursing88
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Occupational Therapy51
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Recreation Management and Policy, including specialties in outdoor leadership and management, program administration, program and event management, or therapeutic recreation74
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Social Work49
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Sport Management and Leadership48
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Student Designed Major (interdisciplinary)1
Student speaker
Natalia Vega ’24, human development and family studies
Student speaker
Emma Schleck ’24, health management and policy
College of Liberal Arts
Grads: 862
Commencement speaker
Katie Bouton ’96 was an English and women’s studies major at UNH. She is a thought leader in human resource development and nonprofit leadership, and a member of the UNH Foundation Board of Directors, and is founder and co-chair of the advisory board to UNH’s Sustainability Institute. She is currently the entrepreneur in residence at The Boston Foundation.
Degrees in Detail
Degrees in Detail
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Communication Sciences and Disorders35
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Exercise Science44
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Family Studies1
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Health and Physical Education12
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Health Management and Policy20
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Health Sciences39
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Human Development and Family Studies70
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Nursing88
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Occupational Therapy51
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Recreation Management and Policy, including specialties in outdoor leadership and management, program administration, program and event management, or therapeutic recreation74
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Social Work49
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Sport Management and Leadership48
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Student Designed Major (interdisciplinary)1
Student speaker
Adam Dapolite ’24, dual major in political science and academic affairs
College of Life Sciences and Agriculture
Grads: 527
Commencement speaker
Michael Paglia ’02G received his master’s in biochemistry, and has spent two decades in the biotechnology field. He led the early process development and manufacturing of four approved autologous cell therapies. He is currently chief technology officer at ElevateBio, Basecamp, a technology-driven company commercializing its enabling technologies, manufacturing capabilities and industry-leading expertise through partnerships in order to accelerate the development of genetic medicines to treat human diseases.
Degrees in Detail
Degrees in Detail
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Animal Science, including concentrations in dairy management46
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Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology24
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Biology45
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Biology: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology1
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Biomedical Science, including concentrations in Medical and Veterinary Sciences, medical laboratory science or medical microbiology89
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Community and Environmental Planning7
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Environmental and Resource Economics7
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Environmental Conservation and Sustainability47
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Environmental Sciences, including concentrations in ecosystems or soil and watershed management18
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Equine Studies, including concentrations in Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies, equine science or industry and management14
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Forestry9
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Genetics, including a concentration in genomics20
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Marine, Estuarine, and Freshwater Biology26
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Neuroscience and Behavior19
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Nutrition, including concentrations in Dietetics, nutrition and wellness or nutritional sciences35
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Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems15
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Tourism Planning and Development1
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Wildlife and Conservation Biology36
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Zoology37
Special Award
The Granite State Award was given to Pauline Ikawa ’77, UNH Foundation Board member, COLSA development board member. Her family established the Miyoshi and Norma Ikawa Scholarship Fund at UNH, named after her mother and father.
Student speaker
Christian Zepeda-Lipovsky ’24, dual major in community and environmental planning and political science
Paul College of Business and Economics
Grads: 579
Commencement speaker
Ryan Day ’02 built his success as a football player at UNH into a meteoric rise in the college coaching world, and has been the head coach at the Ohio State University since 2019. Day and his wife, Christina (Spirou) Day ’00, have lent their support and voices to causes that support mental health and wellbeing of young children; Ryan has been praised for making mental health among the players on his team a priority.
Degrees in Detail
Degrees in Detail
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Analytical Economics17
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Business Administration, with concentrations in accounting, entrepreneurial studies, finance, information systems and business analytics, international business and economics, management or marketing512
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Economics, including concentrations in global trade and finance, money and financial markets, or public policy and sustainability28
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Hotel and Hospitality Management22
Student Speaker
Olivia (OJ) Surdam ’24, business administration: information systems and business analytics
UNH College of Professional Studies
Grads: 304
Commencement speaker
Michael D. Smith is the chief executive officer of AmeriCorps — the federal agency for service and volunteering. Smith has dedicated his career to social justice by reducing barriers and expanding opportunities for children and families in underserved communities, like those where he grew up. Previously, he served in President Barack Obama’s White House as special assistant to the president and senior director of cabinet affairs, overseeing the My Brother’s Keeper initiative and interagency task force. Smith has lent his expertise to print, online and broadcast news channels including CNN, NPR, The Hill, C-Span, The Stanford Social Innovation Review, The Grio and numerous local and regional outlets.
Degrees in Detail
Degrees in Detail
Associate’s Degrees
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Behavioral Science18
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Business11
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Communication Sciences & Disorders7
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Early Childhood Education15
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General Studies7
Bachelor’s Degrees
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Accounting and Finance4
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Allied Health Leadership2
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Analytics and Data Science: Analytics1
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Applied Psychology: Counseling Foundations2
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Applied Studies28
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ASL/English Interpreting11
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Biological Sciences14
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Biotechnology21
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Business, including a concentration in accounting26
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Business Management, including a concentration in global business36
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Communication Arts, with specialties in advertising and public relations, cinema and media arts or human relations12
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Computer Information Systems8
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Computer Science13
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Criminal Justice6
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Digital Communication Design2
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Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education23
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Electrical Engineering Technology15
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English Language Arts, including specialties in elementary education, general special education or arts and general special education8
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English Studies: Literary Studies3
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English Studies: Professional and Technical Communication2
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English Teaching5
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Fire Service Administration2
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Health and Wellness4
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Health Care Management5
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History4
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Homeland Security7
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Human Resource Administration1
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Human Resource Management2
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Human Services16
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Humanities1
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Individualized Studies, including concentrations in behavioral and social sciences, health and human services or humanities5
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Information Technology4
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Marketing2
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Math Studies / Elementary Education / Special Education1
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Mechanical Engineering Technology19
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Neuropsychology12
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Nursing34
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Operations Management4
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Operations, Supply Chain and Logistics Management2
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Professional Communication1
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Psychology39
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Public Administration1
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Public Service and Nonprofit Leadership5
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Public Service Management2
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Social Studies, including specialties in general special education or elementary education5
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Technology Management4
Student Speaker
Ellen Gagnon ’24, associate’s degree, behavioral science
Student Speaker
Jordan White ’24, bachelor’s degree, ASL/English Interpreting