Under the open skies of the UC Berkeley Memorial Glade on May 21, 2026, Berkeley City College (BCC) dismissed its latest class of graduates into the world. It wasn't just a celebration of final exams passed and credits earned; it was a testament to boundary-pushing resilience. Guided by the poignant, student-selected theme, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!”, the commencement ceremony honored a massive, record-breaking cohort poised to shake up academia and industry alike.
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A Masterclass in Growth and Resilience
The sheer scale of this year’s triumph was a major talking point. Berkeley City College President Dr. Denise Richardson took to the podium to congratulate the graduates, explicitly recognizing the immense sacrifice and late-night determination that paved their path to the stage.
“Berkeley City College graduates, you did this,” Dr. Richardson stated proudly.
She revealed an inspiring milestone: this year’s class surged to 654 graduates—a staggering leap from the 460 graduates honored the previous year—who collectively earned more than 1,300 degrees and certificates. “Every graduate here today has a different story,” Dr. Richardson noted. “Yet, here you are, and every single one of you deserves to be celebrated today.”
Dr. Richardson also highlighted BCC’s powerhouse transfer outcomes. The Class of 2026 is officially moving on to elite institutions across the nation, including:
Looking toward the future of the institution itself, Dr. Richardson shared that the highly anticipated BCC West campus is scheduled to open in Fall 2026, drastically expanding the college’s ability to serve future generations of change-makers.
Leading with Humanity
Peralta Community College District Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson connected the whimsical Dr. Seuss-inspired theme back to the heavy responsibility of real-world impact.
“The true measure of education is not simply what we know. It is how we live what we know,” Chancellor Gilkerson challenged the audience, urging the graduates to approach their next chapters with deep curiosity, empathy, and a drive for public service. “The world does not only need intelligent people. It needs humane people.”
Adding to the chorus of praise, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon sent a special video address to honor California’s 12th Congressional District's newest alumni, as well as the village that got them across the finish line. “Each student graduating today, you represent the best of who we are in the Bay Area,” Congresswoman Simon said, giving a nod to the families, educators, and mentors whose unwavering backing made the milestone possible.
The Bridges We Build
The keynote address was delivered by Ka’Dijah Brown—Berkeley Unified School District Director, equity advocate, and community organizer. Brown reframed the graduation theme by reminding students that the "places they will go" are entirely mapped out by the communities they leave behind.
“No matter where you go, no matter how far you go, none of us gets there alone,” Brown reminded the crowd. “Berkeley City College is the bridge between what has been and what’s to come.”
Stories from the Front Lines: Student Voices
The heartbeat of the ceremony lived within the reflections of the student speakers, who spoke candidly about identity, belonging, and redefining success.
Ahyan Malik, President’s Medallion Recipient, is heading to MIT to study Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Malik shared how BCC completely shifted his perspective. “Success started to mean showing up a little bit more than I did before, saying yes to opportunities that scared me, and becoming someone other people could rely on.”
Valedictorian Umaima Raisa moved the crowd with her journey from Bangladesh to the BCC campus. “Berkeley City College gave me more than just education,” she reflected. “It gave me a sense of belonging, home. It gave me mentors, friendships, opportunities, and the confidence to believe in myself again.”
Valedictorian Navaneet Baniya is bound for Stanford University. Baniya stripped away the myth of the "perfect student," leaving his peers with a grounding reminder: “There is no secret ingredient. There was no shortcut, no perfect path, just resilience, this belief, the sacrifices we made, and the courage to keep going even when you felt like you didn’t belong.”
The ceremony also gave a special salute to Salutatorian Kidus Tewodros alongside hundreds of peers spanning various academic programs and career technical pathways.
As the tassels were turned, the Class of 2026 stepped off the glade and into the future, carrying the fierce spirit, elite education, and tight-knit community of Berkeley City College with them.
Berkeley City College extends its gratitude to Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson, Berkeley City College President Dr. Denise Richardson, the Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees, keynote speaker Ka’Dijah Brown, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, faculty, classified professionals, administrators, student leaders, and the many staff and volunteers who helped make the ceremony a meaningful celebration for graduates and their families. Special recognition is also extended to the commencement planning team and the Berkeley City College community members whose work supported a ceremony rooted in student achievement, belonging, and the continued success of the Class of 2026.