UNC’s Spring Graduates Reflect Growth, Milestones and Momentum

Class of 2026 includes a five-year high in Hispanic/Latine representation and the largest graduate cohort since 2021

The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) is celebrating its newest graduating class during Spring Commencement on May 8 and 9, inside the Bank of Colorado Arena. This year’s spring class included approximately 1,172 undergraduate and graduate students. An additional 303 students are expected to complete their degree requirements this summer and are eligible to participate in the spring ceremonies.

UNC’s spring graduates reflect continued growth in Hispanic/Latine representation, reaching a five-year high at 25.9% of undergraduates and 17.4% of graduate students. This year also marks the largest number of master’s, specialist and doctoral graduate degrees awarded (386) since 2021.

Graduate Commencement will take place on Friday, May 8, at 6 p.m., recognizing approximately 386 students receiving a doctoral, specialist or master’s degree — the largest graduate class in the past five years.

Undergraduate Commencement will include three ceremonies on Saturday, May 9, recognizing approximately 786 students receiving bachelor’s degrees.

All ceremonies are held at UNC’s Bank of Colorado Arena with doors opening one hour prior to each start time. Tickets are required for entry and are distributed to graduates electronically via their BearMail accounts. Guests must obtain tickets in advance of the ceremony as they are not available at the door.

The 9 a.m. ceremony will recognize graduates from the College of Natural and Health Sciences.
The 12:30 p.m. ceremony will recognize graduates from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business.
The 3:30 p.m. ceremony will recognize graduates from the College of Performing and Visual Arts.

RELATED: Faces of Spring 2026 Graduates

The ceremonies can be viewed in many ways, including livestream via UNC’s website and on social media platforms for family and friends watching from home. The university also offers live Spanish-language interpretation services and viewing spaces on campus for people who want a less crowded viewing space.

More information about tickets, parking locations and a campus map are available on UNC’s Commencement website.

Graduate Commencement Student Speakers

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy, Educational Psychology

Caterina Belle Azzarello is a doctoral candidate in Educational Psychology with a minor in Applied Statistics and Research Methods. Her interdisciplinary scholarship bridges cognitive science, design and STEM education, examining how typography and dyslexia influence learning and student dispositions.

She has presented her research at national conferences and contributed to funded initiatives focused on innovation, accessibility and open educational practices. Azzarello holds degrees in philosophy, psychology and educational psychology, and has taught undergraduate courses centered on equity and open access. She is committed to advancing inclusive, evidence-based educational practices that expand opportunity and empower diverse learners in science, technology, engineering and math.

Monfort College of Business
Master of Business Administration

Russell Henry, age 75, has served as the senior director of CRM Application Strategies at Oracle and as a senior program manager across several Fortune 100 companies. He has led technology and business transformation efforts across the world and has returned to studies to keep a promise he made long ago to his mother. That promise was to earn an advanced degree. Henry is graduating with his Master of Business Administration degree, filled with purpose and eagerness to help others to thrive, prosper and embrace the opportunities of change.

Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony Student Speakers

College of Natural and Health Sciences
Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences – Cellular and Molecular Biology

Born and raised in Greeley, Colorado, Kira Villarreal is earning a degree in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Chemistry. During her time at UNC, Villarreal participated in three research labs focused on melanoma prevention, metabolic liver disease treatment and the human balance process from a physics perspective. She is passionate about spreading optimism and helping others. After graduation, Villarreal plans to pursue a career as a physician.

College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies
Monfort College of Business
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration – Marketing

Lola Chavez is earning dual bachelor’s degrees in Communication Studies, with a Digital Marketing minor, and Business Administration with a Marketing concentration.

During her time at UNC, she held multiple positions within Housing and Residential Education, served as lead communications and outreach coordinator for the University Program Council, interned with UNC Athletics and was actively involved in Greek life through Alpha Sigma Alpha and the Order of the Omega. These experiences ignited her passion for higher education and student affairs, a path she looks forward to pursuing after graduation.

Monfort College of Business
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration – Marketing

Jasmin Mazariegos Rodriguez is a first-generation college student earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Digital Marketing. She is the daughter of immigrants Maria and Audel, whose sacrifices and courage inspired her pursuit of higher education.

Mazariegos Rodriguez is grateful to her parents for their guidance, her friends for their support and to God for the opportunities that have shaped her journey. She also extends her appreciation to UNC for the experiences and community that have influenced her over the past four years.

College of Education and Behavioral Education
Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education – Performing and Visual Arts

Ellie Mazur is a dedicated and compassionate educator who has had a passion for working with children for as long as she can remember. She is especially interested in diversifying education and creating inclusive classroom environments that celebrate culture and community.

Throughout her studies, Mazur has focused on hands-on, student-centered learning approaches that empower young learners to grow academically and personally. She is committed to lifelong learning and strives to make a meaningful impact on the lives of her students. Mazur looks forward to continuing her journey in education and inspiring the next generation.

College of Performing and Visual Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Acting

Helene Brimhall is graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting with a minor in Writing. During her time at UNC, she had many unforgettable experiences while studying in the College of Performing and Visual Arts, gaining experience in stage management, assistant directing, student production and theatrical performance in class and onstage.

Her credits at UNC’s School of Theatre Arts and Dance include Measure for Measure, Getting Near to Baby, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and This Restless House. Brimhall is prepared and thrilled to continue her theater journey post-graduation.

About the Class of 2026

This year marks the largest number of master’s, specialist and doctoral graduate degrees awarded (390) since 2021.
This spring’s graduating class reflects continued growth in Hispanic/Latine representation, reaching a five-year high at 25.9% of undergraduates and 17.4% of graduate students.
The Monfort College of Business is recording its highest number of degrees awarded in the past five years (141), with both Finance (32) and Management (43) also reaching five-year highs.
The undergraduate students graduating this spring received over $26.5 million in combined merit-based and private scholarships and grants (aid that doesn’t need to be repaid) throughout their UNC education. Additionally, 65% of undergraduates were either paid work study or took an internship over the course of their degree program.
First-generation students, defined as students who are the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree, represent a significant share of the spring class, including more than 300 undergraduates (38.7%) and a five-year high of 118 (30.3%) graduate students.
Our spring 2024 class includes 58 undergraduate and graduate student athletes across the following sports: baseball, football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s indoor track, softball, swimming and diving, volleyball, women’s soccer and wrestling.
Our spring class includes 50 United States veterans; 34 undergraduate students and 16 graduate students.
Our spring class includes 34 graduates who started as Aims2UNC students.
Our graduates come from 41 Colorado counties, 45 states and 20 countries.
Our youngest graduate this spring is 19 years old and our oldest is 65.
The College of Natural and Health Sciences is awarding the largest number of undergraduate degrees (216), followed by the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences (190), Humanities and Social Sciences (162), the Monfort College of Business (129) and the College of Performing and Visual Arts (108).
The College of Education and Behavioral Sciences is awarding the largest number of graduate degrees (168), followed by College of Natural and Health Sciences (111), Monfort College of Business (46), College of Performing and Visual Arts (44) and College of Humanities and Social Sciences (17).
Business Administration was the most popular undergraduate degree this spring (123), followed by Psychology (93), Sport and Exercise Science (68), Elementary Education (55) and Art and Design (42).
Business Administration was the most popular graduate degree this spring (46), followed by Special Education (42), Music (32), Clinical Mental Health Counseling (29) and Biomedical Science (16).
Undergraduate programs on the rise with the highest number of degrees awarded in the past five years include Art and Design (43) and Sport and Exercise Science (68).
Graduate programs on the rise with the highest number of degrees awarded in the past five years include Clinical Mental Health Counseling (29) and Music (30).
With the spring 2026 graduating class, UNC now has more than 145,000 alumni living and working in all 50 states and more than 100 countries.

Data regarding UNC’s spring 2026 class is preliminary and based on demographics of students who have applied to graduate as of April 16, 2026. Degrees are officially conferred June 2026.