Commencement Ceremony 2026

BSE's Commencement was held Thursday, May 21, 2:00 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall.

Distinguished keynote address: Attorney Catherine E. Lhamon, inaugural executive director of the Edley Center on Law & Democracy, and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights

catherine lhamon sitting in front of small microphone looking to the left and faded image of the united states capitol building in the background

Catherine E. Lhamon has focused her career on civil rights and the public sector in California and at the federal level, including roles in the administrations of Presidents Barak Obama and Joe Biden.

Before coming to UC Berkeley Law in 2025, she was the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education, and managed President Biden’s equity policy portfolio as Deputy Assistant to the President for Racial Justice and Equity.

From December 2016 until January 2021, she chaired the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, to which President Obama appointed her.

She also served in California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Cabinet as Legal Affairs Secretary from January 2019 through January 2021. Before these roles, Lhamon had also been Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education during President Obama’s Administration.

In addition to her government service, Lhamon litigated civil rights cases at the ACLU Foundation of Southern California; National Center for Youth Law; and Public Counsel Law Center. She also clerked for the Honorable William A. Norris on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

The 132nd commencement for UC Berkeley's School of Education (BSE) was held Thursday, May 21, 2:00 p.m. in Zellerbach Hall.

Read more about Catherine E. Lhamon.

Student Speakers

doctoral student cristina mendez smiling at camera

Cristina S. Méndez, Ph.D.

Cristina S. Méndez (she/her/ella) is a Chicana educator, scholar, and poet. She will be graduating with a Ph.D. in Critical Studies of Race, Class, and Gender from the Berkeley School of Education and with an interdisciplinary designated emphasis in Indigenous Language Revitalization. As the daughter of Mexican migrants, she credits her educational journey to her parents and community.

Her scholarly research agenda weaves together theories and methodologies from the fields of language and literacy studies, Critical Indigenous studies, and Latinx studies, to understand how language practices and Indigenous pedagogy shape identity, community, and learning in multilingual, transborder communities. She situates her work within a broader movement to uplift Indigenous sovereignty and challenge colonial research methods. Her current research highlights the leadership of Maya Mam women in language and cultural reclamation in their ancestral communities in Guatemala and the diaspora.

Formerly, Cristina was an elementary school teacher and worked as a preschool aide in California’s Central Valley and the Bay Area. She received her B.A. in Rhetoric with honors and a minor in Education from UC Berkeley, with general distinction, and her M.A. in Urban Education from Loyola Marymount University. She has received national fellowships from the American Education Research Association (AERA) and the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

After graduation, Cristina will be joining the University of Maryland, College Park, as a President’s Postdoctoral Fellow in the American Studies department.

Nuntehui Espinoza looking at camera with stoic expression on their face

Nuntehui Espinoza, M.A. + Teaching Credential

I am an Oakland native, recipient of the Hawkins Fellowship, and a proud member of BTEP’s Cohort 8. I will be graduating from UC Berkeley with a Master of Arts in Education with a teaching credential, and I will teach 6th grade math at Urban Promise Academy in Oakland.

My commitment to education is deeply rooted in my community. Growing up, I witnessed my mother serve in community-centered roles in education, shaping my belief that schools should be spaces of care, belonging, and opportunity. With a background in sociology and experience as an Instructional Support Specialist in Special Education, I have worked closely with students to ensure their needs are recognized and advocated for.

My work has focused on creating equitable and joyful learning environments while supporting students in developing self-advocacy skills. I have helped students use their voices to shape their school experience by supporting the development of a student council and organizing fundraisers for student-led events when funding was unavailable. I have also worked alongside students to advocate for their academic needs, supporting communication with teachers and building confidence in speaking up.

As an educator, I am committed to keeping my community at the center of my practice by creating a classroom where students feel seen, valued, and empowered. I am committed to uplifting students to think critically, advocate for their needs, and grow into compassionate, thoughtful individuals. I look forward to continuing this work in Oakland, supporting students in developing both their academic identities and their sense of agency.

jennifer tran smiling at camera

Jennifer Cát Tiên Tran, B.S., Educational Sciences

Jennifer Cát Tiên Tran is graduating from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Science in Educational Sciences, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and a Minor in Public Policy. Her work is grounded in a commitment to expanding educational opportunity, strengthening institutional accountability, and advancing student representation in education decision-making.

At Berkeley, she served as the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC) Academic Affairs Vice President (AAVP), where she worked to elevate student voices in university-wide and college-level governance. She also served as an Undergraduate Student Representative for the Berkeley School of Education, contributing student insight to academic planning and program development.

Beyond campus, Jennifer is a co-founder of the National Student Board Member Association (NSBMA), a nonprofit organization that works to train, connect, and support student school board members and other educational stakeholders, providing them the skills, tools, and knowledge to drive meaningful student-centered change in their schools and communities. Across her roles, she has focused on making educational systems more inclusive, transparent, and responsive to students and communities.

Jennifer is eager for a lifelong career in education and, in fall 2026, will begin her Master’s in Education Policy and Analysis at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

four master's degree students wearing their regalia before the ceremony standing next to each other smiling at the camera
top of sather gate in the background text reads u c berkeley school of education one hundred thirty second commencement may 21 20 26 with video play button below

Click on the image above to watch a recording of BSE’s Commencement.

Contact

Additional questions about commencement? Send an email to bsecommencement@berkeley.edu.

Logistics

Check this webpage for information about Commencement 2026 event logistics.