On Saturday, May 16, 2026, students received their master’s degrees and hoods - an achievement marked by diligence and determination - during ceremonies for the college’s two graduate programs - the Master of Education (MEd) with licensure in special education and Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Two of the six Master of Education graduates, their families, and faculty members gathered in the president’s dining room for their hooding ceremony. Asher Manning ’25 M’26 reflected on their educational experience in the form of a poem thanking everyone who helped them succeed in the program.
“The professors who stood by me through it all and saw me as just more than a student/ I can never truly thank them for all they did and for all they helped me with/ Thank you all for giving me a year I will never forget,” ended Manning.
After Manning’s reflection, Professor Kelly Demers, Ph.D. congratulated the graduates, saying, “I want to congratulate you for all that you’ve accomplished during this year. You are bright, talented, and committed teachers who are going to benefit any learner that you encounter. We’re so proud of you and we can’t wait to see where you’ll go in your professional journey.”
Before receiving their hoods, Rilee Bradshaw ’25 M’26 spoke.
“This journey has taught me so much not just about teaching, but about resilience, growth, and the importance of the people around us,” said Bradshaw. “As we move forward, things may feel uncertain or overwhelming at times. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that we don’t need to have everything figured out. We just need to keep moving forward, one step at a time. So today, we celebrate not just the end of this chapter, but the beginning of everything that comes next.”
The MEd program began in fall 2022 and was designed to prepare educators to meet the needs of all learners in the classroom. Students can complete the program part-time or full-time through the tuition-free Fellowship program.
Meanwhile, on the Campus Green, 18 students in the Criminal Justice master’s degree program attended their hooding ceremony with families, friends, and members of the department.
“The hood you will receive today is more than fabric—it is a symbol of countless cups of coffee, hours upon hours of research, and the persistence required to turn curiosity into mastery. We reflect today on the winding trail that brought us here—the moments that doubted, the breakthroughs that thrilled, and the resilience that defined,” said Kira Corning ’25 M’26 in her opening reflection.
Program director Kaitlyn Clarke ’09, Ph.D. thanked this year’s cohort saying, “I truly feel proud of all of you. Reflecting on this year, many of you balanced full-time work, joined the academy, completed an internship, and worked beyond the required hours. Thank you for choosing us. Thank you for your patience, your intellect, and your resilience.”
Josie Pecor ’25, M’26 and Kira Corning ’25, M’26 each received the Outstanding Graduate Student Award named in honor of John ‘Jack’ Humphrey ’66, a long-time professor who passed away last spring.
Massimo DiMatteo ’25 M’26 and Josie Pecor ’25 M’26 delivered the student address. “And as we step into society, what we take with us from Saint A’s is not just knowledge of the system, but an understanding of how to navigate it with intention. We’ve learned that behind every policy, every case, and every statistic are real people, shaped by their experiences and their environments,” concluded Pecor.
The hooding ceremonies took place prior to the 133rd Commencement Exercises on the Alumni Quadrangle later that morning where 523 students earned their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Headmaster of Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, N.J., since 1972, Fr. Edwin Leahy, O.S.B., addressed the class of 2026.
The inaugural class of the Master of Public Policy program received their hoods on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, during an end-of-the-year celebration in the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP). Eight students were recognized and honored by their friends, family, professors, and undergraduate peers.
