The 2026 ceremony featured NYC Deputy Mayor for Health & Human Services Helen Arteaga as distinguished speaker as well as technology and governance leader Adaora Udoji as keynote speaker.
New York, N.Y. (June 18, 2026) – On Wednesday, June 17, Interim President Elizabeth de León Bhargava presided over Stella and Charles Guttman Community College’s 13th Annual Commencement ceremony, held on the Bryant Park Lawn across from the College and livestreamed on the College’s website. The College — part of the City University of New York (CUNY) — awarded degrees to more than 200 students.
“Commencement is a moment to recognize the determination and achievements of our students,” said de León Bhargava. “Their success reflects the strength of our community and the transformative impact of a Guttman Community College education.”
Graduates represented several associate degree programs offered at the College, including Accounting, Business Administration, Health Information Technology, Human Services, Information Technology, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Science, Secondary Education: Social Studies, and Urban Studies as well as the Cybersecurity certificate program.
Among the graduating class, 53 students graduated with honors, earning a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. In addition,73 graduates were members of the Beta Phi Gamma chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Many graduates plan to transfer to four-year colleges, including Columbia University, Sarah Lawrence College, Baruch College, City College of New York, Boston University, SUNY Oswego, Macauley Honors College and several others.
The ceremony’s distinguished speaker was Dr. Helen Arteaga, New York City’s deputy mayor for Health and Human Services, who encouraged graduates to take what they learned at CUNY, pay it forward and tackle problems in their communities. Adaora Udoji, executive consultant for technology & governance, served as keynote speaker and inspired graduates with a message of resilience and determination and to never forget the hard work it took to earn their degrees.
Honored guest speaker Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, CUNY chancellor, focused on the university’s mission to provide a premier, accessible public education to all students, regardless of their background or financial means. He said that with a Guttman Community College degree, graduates have the skills to take on whatever comes next in their academic and professional journey.
Brad Lynch, who served as treasurer of Student Government Association, president of Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society and vice president of fellowship for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, was selected as Class Speaker. Outgoing Student Government Association President Jerry Gordillo also gave remarks, which was a surprise to his parents, who were watching the Commencement livestream from Ecuador.
Also honored were Eric Sabater and Mona Diaz as co-valedictorians and Christian Martinez as salutatorian.
Dr. Douglas Medina, assistant professor of political science, served as the ceremony’s grand marshal. Candidates for degrees were presented by Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Paul Reifenheiser, and degrees were conferred by de León Bhargava. Dr. Andrea Morrell, professor of anthropology, was faculty speaker. Dr. Daniel Ambrose, vice president for enrollment management and student affairs, kept the energy high throughout the morning as the ceremony’s emcee.
Prior to Commencement, graduates were honored at The Stellas 2026 Awards & Reception, held June 15 at the Museum of the City of New York. Several awards were presented to graduating students who have exhibited outstanding leadership in various roles at the College, including student government leadership, student club engagement and academic achievement.
View photos from the 2026 Commencement ceremony.
Watch the 2026 Commencement livestream.
View photos from The Stellas 2026 Awards and Reception.
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Stella and Charles Guttman Community College is CUNY’s first new community college in more than forty years. Reimagining what community college could be, Guttman opened its doors in Manhattan in August 2012 to create a research-based, innovative model focused on moving students efficiently toward graduation. Offering associate degree programs in a nurturing environment, the College provides holistic support and advising to ensure timely degree completion, and most graduates transfer to senior colleges. Guttman was named the best community college in America in 2020 and the top community college in New York State in 2020 and 2021 by Niche.com, and WalletHub ranked Guttman the #1 community college in New York State for 2025.
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Photos shown above by Isabel Tumminello.
Photos shown above by Isabel Tumminello.
