Meet the Spring 2024 Manhattan Commencement Platform Party

(NEW YORK, NY — MAY 15, 2024) Empire State University’s Manhattan commencement ceremony is just a few days away. Meet this year’s platform party who will be celebrating and honoring our graduates! 

President Lisa Vollendorf:

At commencement you can find me: Speaking to graduates and handing them diplomas as they cross the stage.

My message to our graduates: “I am always inspired to meet our graduates and learn their personal stories of perseverance and success.”

Director of Academic Support Sophia Mavrogiannis:

At commencement you can find me: Reading the names of our graduates as they cross the stage.

My message to our graduates: “Congratulations graduates! You did it! You’ve overcome so much to be here today and I have no doubt that you are all destined for success.”

Associate Provost for Student Success Seana Logsdon:

At commencement you can find me: Helping President Vollendorf hand out diploma covers to our graduates.

My message to our graduates: “It is with great pleasure that I offer my warmest congratulations to our graduates. Your hard work, courage, and dedication have been inspiring.  Enjoy every moment as you step onto the stage and hear your name called. Those cheers are for you, and you deserve each one!”

Assistant Professor Carrie Steinman:

At commencement you can find me: Leading our graduates to and from the stage as the Mace Bearer.

My message to our graduates: “SUNY Empire’s Commencement Ceremony is my favorite day of the year. This day is to celebrate our amazing students, many who have overcome so many challenges and obstacles, and have worked so hard to obtain their degree. We recognize that this was not easy, yet you persisted and achieved! I hope you all take a moment to reflect on this wonderful accomplishment. Your determination and motivation are an inspiration to many! CONGRATULATIONS Class of 2024!!”

Provost Hitesh Rai Kathuria:

At commencement you can find me: Emceeing the event.

My message to our graduates: “Your graduation from Empire State University speaks to your determination, intellect, and the countless hours you’ve invested in the pursuit of knowledge. Congratulations on this extraordinary achievement.”

Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of the International Education Program in the Dominican Republic Luis Camacho:

At commencement you can find me: Delivering a speech as the faculty speaker for Manhattan’s ceremony.

My message to our graduates: “Congratulations graduates! At Empire State University, we are filled with great happiness as we observe your journey to this significant day. As a student, you have consistently demonstrated commitment, tenacity, and an avid desire for knowledge that has been genuinely motivating. Today implies both the peak of your academic accomplishments and the commencement of a new phase full of boundless opportunities.”

Administrative Assistant Rebecca Monaghan:

At commencement you can find me: Singing the National Anthem.

My message to our graduates: “On behalf of all employees at SUNY Empire, CONGRATULATIONS!!! We are so proud of you for reaching this major milestone. Your determination has secured your success, and we have no doubt that you will continue to reach the goals you set for yourself. Enjoy the spotlight today – you have EARNED this recognition and we are so proud to count you amidst our esteemed alumni!”

Labor Student Speaker Brendan Kennedy:

At commencement you can find me: Speaking to students as the labor student speaker.

My message to our graduates: “We’ve had an incredible journey as students. At 28, this career choice was obviously not my first plan; or even something I imagined myself doing. I was an excellent student growing up and went to school to be an accountant. After shortcomings in that experience, as well as no steady idea of direction, I found this program that Local 3 IBEW had graciously accepted me into. Thanks to the union AND SUNY Empire, I now have an amazing career and the impending bachelor’s degree that I once thought was unobtainable! It means the world to me to be able to finish both programs, as they relate to one another so perfectly.”

April Simmons is the 2024 Manhattan Commencement student speaker.