Peabody Class of 2026 Commencement Events
Time: 1:15 PM
Location: Commons Lawn
Share the joy of Commencement weekend at #Peabody2026 and @vupeabody.
Ceremony Livestreams
Can't make it in-person? Join our livestream of the commencement ceremonies.
Peabody Professional Ceremonies Program
PLATFORM PARTY
Camilla P. Benbow
Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development
Douglas Perkins
Professor Emeritus, Department of Human and Organizational Development (Master’s Ceremony)
Marybeth Shin
Professor Emerita, Department of Human and Organizational Development (Master’s Ceremony)
Andrew J. Finch
Professor of the Practice, Department of Human and Organizational Development
Nicole Cobb
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professional Education
Sharon L. Shields, PhD’76
2025 Peabody College Distinguished Alumna, Professor Emerita and Senior Associate Dean
MEMBERS OF THE PEABODY FACULTY
DEGREES BEING AWARDED
Master of Education
Master of Public Policy
Doctor of Education
ORDER OF THE CEREMONY
Welcoming Remarks, Dean Camilla P. Benbow
Recognition of Emeriti Faculty
Recognition of Peabody Marshals, Banner Bearer, and Peabody Medalists
Recognition of Peabody Distinguished Alumna
Address by Senior Associate Dean Shields
Recognition of Graduates and Hooding of Doctoral Candidates (hooding only during Ed.D. ceremony)
Concluding Remarks and Charge to the Graduates
Adjournment
Awards Ceremonies and Honorees
View the 2025 Peabody Commencement award winners:
Founder’s Medal for First Honors
Since 1877, the university has awarded a gold medal to the student graduating with top honors from each of the university’s 10 schools and colleges. The award is to honor the university’s founder, Cornelius Vanderbilt, who endowed the award in its first year.
Samuel Elliott Lu, from Little Rock, Arkansas, is this year’s Founder’s Medalist for Peabody College of education and human development.
Samuel is graduating with degrees in Early Childhood/Elementary Education, Human and Organizational Development, and Child Studies. Beyond his academic accomplishments, Samuel has demonstrated a commitment to service that supports educational outcomes. This commitment is evidenced by the many organizations he been involved with including: founding Camp P.L.A.Y. for which he received a Nichols Humanitarian Fund award; research assistant, Playful Learning Project; and educator intern, ARKidsFirst and Our House shelter. Samuel will begin his career as an elementary teacher in Wake County Public Schools.
Peabody Medalists
The Peabody Medal is the highest honor Peabody College can bestow on a graduating student. It is awarded to the graduate who best personifies academic distinction, professional accomplishment, and contributions to Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, and the larger community. Peabody College awards two medals annually at commencement: one to a Master of Education student and one to a Doctor of Education student.
The Peabody Medal (Master's): Skyler M. Hughes
Skyler earned her M.Ed. in Applied Child Studies. As a master’s student, Skyler explored how ACEs and other stressors influence development, and how parents and other significant relationships buffer or exacerbate these effects. In classwork and community placements, Skyler created evidence-based resources on early relational health and trauma-informed tools for families, teachers and students regarding emotion regulation and well-being. She led efforts to craft the Tennessee Department of Health’s Vitality Toolkit - Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies, supporting mothers' and babies' access to quality care from pregnancy through the first year to promote lifelong health. These opportunities enabled Skyler to develop professional skills relevant to her passion – using research to guide efforts to support families and children exposed to chronic stress. Skyler is pursuing doctoral study in Clinical Psychology in the Department of Psychology and Human Development.
The Peabody Medal (Ed.D.): De’Shawn Cergill Washington
De'Shawn is graduating from the Educational Leadership and Policy program in Peabody’s Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations. De’ Shawn earned his bachelor’s degree and master of education degree from the University of Massachusetts-Boston. De’Shawn is a fourth-grade inclusion teacher in Lexington, MA. He was recognized as the 2024 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year and the 2025 Massachusetts Representative of the National Education Association's Travelers Insurance Award for Teaching Excellence. De'Shawn also supports school districts in the New England region, transforming academic outcomes and student morale. His research is focused on evaluating RTI interventions in Hamilton County Schools.
Peabody Banner Bearers
The Peabody Banner Bearer is an honor bestowed on a graduating student in recognition of academic distinction and contributions to the Peabody community. The recipient is judged by the faculty to have excelled in all aspects of the program of study and is considered an outstanding example of a Peabody professional student.
Banner Bearer: Chenyu He
Chenyu is graduating with a BS in Human and Organizational Development and Cognitive Studies, along with a minor in Medicine, Health, and Society. On campus, she served as Co-President of Global China Connection, leading efforts to foster global dialogue and cultural exchange across campus. As a research assistant at the CHILL Lab, she explored how facility dog interventions can reduce young children’s anxiety during outpatient ECHO and EKG procedures. Outside of academics, Chenyu volunteered with Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, expanding the organization’s partnerships with local restaurants.
Banner Bearer: Audrey Marion Thresher
Audrey’s professional work spans multiple domains, each reinforcing her dedication to mental health, social justice, and community empowerment. Her impact extends far beyond the classroom, positioning her as a leader and advocate within the Nashville mental health landscape.
Banner Bearer: Zaina Hashmi
Zaina is a distinguished educator and leader in K-12 education. Currently, Hashmi serves as a Science Instructional Lead in Fulton County Schools in Atlanta, GA. as well as a district Assessment Leader. Hashmi also serves on the Board of Directors for “Counting Fingers and Toes,” a Nashville-based non-profit that supports early childhood numeracy, particularly for low-income families. Zaina's leadership is characterized by a commitment to equitable instruction and resonant professional learning that empowers educators and students alike. These values shaped her doctoral research, where she partnered with Teach for America to examine critical factors impacting teacher recruitment in an evolving educational landscape.
Peabody Distinguished Alumna
Dr. Manya Whitaker is the 15th President of Colorado College. Initially appointed to a two-year interim presidency on July 1, 2024, Whitaker earned the confidence of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners through her transparent leadership, keen understanding of the College’s mission, and steady guidance. During her initial year as Interim President, she advanced several critical institutional priorities, including securing the new Research Colleges and Universities distinction from Carnegie, surpassing fundraising goals, and overseeing a pivotal year in College history. She was officially appointed President by the Board of Trustees in June 2025.
Dr. Whitaker previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff, acting as the President’s principal aide and strategic advisor. In that role, she managed sensitive and confidential matters, oversaw cross-divisional initiatives, and provided leadership on key institutional priorities, including the college’s antiracism commitment.
Dr. Whitaker is also a Professor of Education at Colorado College, and prior to moving into administration, she taught classes on social and political issues in education. She is a developmental educational psychologist with expertise in adolescent identity formation and motivation. She has authored four books and more than 20 book chapters and articles focused on her research, including:
- Public School Equity: Educational Leadership for Justice
- Schooling Multicultural Teachers: A Guide for Program Assessment and Professional Development
- Learning from the Inside-Out: Child Development and School Choice
- Counternarratives from Women of Color Academics: Bravery, Vulnerability, and Resistance (co-editor)
Through more than 14 years at Colorado College, her roles have also included Interim Director of the Butler Center, Director of the Crown Faculty Center, and Director of Graduate Studies and Chair of Education.
Dr. Whitaker received her doctorate in developmental psychology from Vanderbilt University and her B.A. in educational psychology from Dartmouth College.
Previous Honorees
Parking Information
Guest and graduate parking will be available at the following locations on Friday, May 10:
- Wesley Place Garage. You may park and walk to Peabody’s campus, or there will be a shuttle that will run from this garage to Peabody’s campus.
- The Sony Garage. You may park and walk. No shuttle runs from this location.
- Lot 77 (off of 18th Ave). You may park and walk. No shuttle runs from this location.
There will be 10 handicap parking spots available in Lot 90 (behind the Wyatt Center) and another 10 spots in Lot 95 (behind the Peabody Admin Building). These spots are first come, first served.
If need be, guests and graduates can be dropped off at the Peabody Admin Building roundabout, and then the driver can leave and go park in one of the above mentioned locations.