2026 Powell School Divisional Graduation Celebration

May 28th, 2026    I    The United Palace Theater

The ceremony is an occasion to celebrate this momentous milestone with your friends, family, and faculty. Students will walk across the stage and celebrate with their classmates from across the Powell School.

Time :  10.30am

Please keep checking your Student Email regularly for more information.

united palace theatre filled with audience-2024 commencement

Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorians

Valedictorian_KathrynGioiosa
Kathryn Gioiosa
2026 Valedictorian

For Kathryn Gioiosa, leadership isn’t a concept learned in a lecture hall — it is a practice born from the classroom floor. A Political Science major, Truman Scholar, and Udall Scholar, Kathryn has spent her time at the Colin Powell School building a resume that rivals seasoned professionals. Recently named to the Forbes 30-Under-30 list for Social Impact, Kathryn is proving that the next generation of leadership is already here.

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Salutatorian_CarolinaFernandez
Carolina Fernandez
2026 Salutatorian

For Carolina Fernandez, a Business Administration in Finance major and Macaulay Honors College student, the path to a career in finance was paved by her parents’ hustle and her own unwavering curiosity. As she prepares to graduate this May as one of the school’s salutatorians, Carolina is set to become the first member of her family to earn a college degree in the United States — a milestone that feels like the culmination of a lifelong dream.

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Salutatorian_SofiaLopezChicas
Sofia Lopez Chicas
2026 Salutatorian

For Sofia Lopez Chicas, the study of law is both a career ambition and an act of care. As a double major in Political Science and Philosophy with a minor in Legal Studies, Sofia’s academic journey at the Colin Powell School has been defined by a deep desire to understand how power, justice, and institutions shape the human experience.

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Salutatorian_VanessaLopez
Vanessa Lopez
2026 Salutatorian

Colin Powell School Psychology student Vanessa Lopez isn’t just pursuing a degree — she’s building a movement. Born and raised in the Bronx, her commitment to mental health equity is deeply rooted in her community. Her journey, marked by leadership, advocacy, and a pursuit of systemic change, is an inspiring example of purpose-driven public service.

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Salutatorian_VictoriaLu
Victoria Lu
2026 Salutatorian

For Victoria Lu, education has never been a passive pursuit — it is an active, vital tool for change. A triple major in Sociology, Political Science, and International Studies, with a minor in Human Rights, Victoria has spent her time at the Colin Powell School building a bridge between theoretical inquiry and movement-building. As she graduates this spring, she leaves behind a legacy of activism that spans from the streets of Queens to the corporate boardrooms of Spain.

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Salutatorian_ChristianVele
Christian Velez
2026 Salutatorian

Christian Velez is a Bronx native raised by Colombian and Venezuelan parents, who instilled in him a deep understanding of the importance of education. Christian’s path to the Colin Powell School began with his father’s love for the ocean. Today, Christian is a salutatorian for the Powell School class of 2026, graduating with a double major in Political Science and Science Learning & Public Engagement. His journey has been powered by his passion for science, nature, and public policy. Learn more about how those passions took shape below.

[Read More→]

Information for
graduates

Graduates of September, January, and February are automatically invited to the Spring Commencement ceremony.

To all June applicants for graduation, attending the Graduation Celebration does not automatically mean that you have graduated from CCNY.

You must satisfy all of your degree requirements.
All graduates will be notified to their CCNY email address regarding degree conferral/diploma availability.

For students in the class of 2026, the honors policy is as follows:

A degree summa cum laude is granted to students whose average in all subjects is at least 3.8.

A degree magna cum laude is granted to students whose average in all subjects is at least 3.5.

A degree cum laude is granted to students whose average in all subjects is at least 3.2.

Only coursework completed at City College is taken into account in the computation of graduation honors. Second degree students are not eligible for graduation honors.

Instructions and obtaining your diploma

Have questions about graduation requirements, eligibility, regalia, and other details?

Watch the info session below!
Advisor Herbert shaking hands with student 2024Commencement
Graduates clapping-commencement 2024
2024 commencement speaker shaking students hands

Post your pride

Join the celebration with #PowellSchool26

Use #PowellSchool26 on social media to share your congratulations and help us celebrate.

Tag us in your posts to keep the conversation going.