Peabody Class of 2026 Commencement Events
Time: 1:15 PM
Location: Commons Lawn
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
Andrew J. Finch
Professor of the Practice, Department of Human and Organizational Development
Nicole Cobb
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professional Education
Kimberly Bess
Associate Professor of the Practice, Department of Human and Organizational Development
Manya Whitaker
2026 Peabody College Distinguished Alumna, PhD'11, President of Colorado College
Claire Smrekar
Associate Professor, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations
Deborah Rowe
Carolyn M. Evertson Chair in Teacher Education, Department of Teaching and Learning
Chris Quinn Trank
Professor of the Practice, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations
Kevin Leander
Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning
Chris Da Silva Iddings
Professor of the Practice, Department of Teaching and Learning
Degrees Being Awarded
Master of Education
Master of Public Policy
Doctor of Education
Order of the Ceremony
Program
(Please silence all cell phones during the program.)
Processional
(Please stand.)
Rigaudon by André Campra
Welcoming Remarks and Introductions by Dean Benbow
Recognition of Emeriti Faculy
Recognition of Peabody Marshals, Banner Bearers and Medalists
Recognition of Peabody Distinguished Alumna
Address by Manya Whitaker
Awarding of Diplomas
Hooding of Doctoral Candidates
Adjournment
Recessional
(Please remain standing until the platform party and faculty have recessed.)
“Hornpipe” from Water Music by George Frideric Handel
After the ceremony, light refreshments will be available under the tent on the Commons Lawn.
Awards Ceremonies and Honorees
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.
Emma Catherine Mann from New Palestine, IN is this year’s Founder’s Medalist for Peabody College of education and human development.
Emma is a human and organizational development major with a minor in psychology. Emma's academic accomplishments include a Cameron Impact Scholarship, HOD honors thesis, the Joel Gordon honors scholarship, Vanderbilt Undergraduate Summer Research Program and the Catherine English Award. Her commitment to supporting children with cancer is evident in her numerous honors, accomplishments, and volunteer activities. After graduation, Emma will be attending the University of Kentucky to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology where she will combine her interests in academic medicine with a commitment to serving rural communities.
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): Xin Hao
Ashley Xin Hao is an outstanding emerging developmental cognitive neuroscience student and 2026 Peabody M.S. graduate recognized for excellence. Grounded in developmental science, she investigates how children develop symbolic and nonsymbolic number processing using longitudinal fMRI, advancing understanding of how ventral and dorsal brain systems support emerging numerical cognition.
The Peabody Medal (Ed.D.): Danielle Lewis
Danielle Lewis is the Associate Director of Career Services at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development, where she leads initiatives supporting master’s students pursuing careers in education, policy, consulting, and research. Her work focuses on advancing equitable access to career opportunities and strengthening pathways from graduate education to meaningful employment. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University Bloomington and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt University. Danielle will continue to leverage her experience in career services and higher education to pursue leadership roles that shape talent development and organizational strategy.
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.
Undergraduate Banner Bearer: Bridget Isabella Gray
A double major in elementary education and child studies, Bridget is committed to fostering a classroom community grounded in belonging, respect, and high expectations for all learners, and is especially passionate about supporting students who are learning English as a second language. A Cornelius Vanderbilt scholar, Bridget has consistently balanced intellectual rigor with a deep commitment to community engagement. After graduation, she plans to return home to the Bay Area in California to teach second grade in a local public school.
Master's Banner Bearer: Niyouyang Wang
Niyouyang (Sophie) Wang is a Master of Education candidate in the International Education Policy and Management (IEPM) program at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development. Sophie’s stellar academic work reflects a strong commitment to evidence-based policy research, including projects examining shadow education and the influence of parental support on student learning outcomes. Beyond her academic achievements, Sophie has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service within the Peabody community. As a Graduate Assistant for the IEPM program, she played a key role in supporting new students by coordinating connections to campus resources and facilitating communication between faculty and the cohort. She also volunteered as an iMAP mentor to support incoming international students and served as treasurer for the organization, helping to organize cultural events that foster community and cross-cultural understanding.
Ed.D. Banner Bearer: Nafeesha Janell Mitchell
Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Nafeesha Mitchell is a graduate of the Leadership & Learning in Organizations Ed.D. program at Vanderbilt University. Currently, she is the founder and principal consultant at B² Coaching & Consulting, where she works alongside education leadership teams to build the structures and relational conditions that turn strategy into coordinated, sustainable action, so organizations can deliver consistent, equitable results for students and young people, even as the landscape around them shifts.
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 8:
- Terrace 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 81, behind the Hill/Commons building.
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.