Behind the Regalia - Class of 2026

Key Takeaways

• UAGC graduates are diverse. Our Class of 2026 includes a diverse group of adult learners from all walks of life. Here, they share their personal journeys leading up to this major life milestone.
• There’s no “perfect time” to start. Many adult learners begin their education while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities. Progress often comes from starting despite imperfect timing.
• Resilience is essential. Challenges such as health issues, family obligations, or long breaks from school are common. Persistence and consistency are key to completing the journey.
• Support systems matter. Family, friends, employers, and mentors often play a critical role in providing encouragement, flexibility, and motivation.
• Adaptability drives success. Adult learners frequently need to rebuild study habits, learn new technologies, and manage time differently. Being open to adjustment is crucial.
• Purpose fuels persistence. Clear goals, such as career advancement, personal growth, or setting an example for loved ones, help students stay focused during difficult moments.
• Nontraditional paths are valid paths. Success doesn’t follow one timeline. Adult learners demonstrate that earning a degree can happen at any stage of life.

Behind the Regalia – Meet the UAGC Class of 2026

For many traditional students, college is a balancing act of coursework, social life, and early career planning. It demands discipline, time management, and resilience.

Now add adulthood to the equation. Then, add caregiving responsibilities, full-time jobs, financial pressures, and the unpredictable demands of everyday life. Finally, layer in online learning, where independence is expected, structure must be self-created, and support is often accessed through a screen rather than a hallway conversation.

Adult learners are not simply students with more responsibilities. They are professionals, parents, spouses, caregivers, veterans, leaders, coordinators, widows, and so many other roles all at once. And yet, in the midst of all that, they choose to return to school. Not because it is easy, but because it matters.

One theme consistently rises to the surface with our students: timing. For many of them, there was a moment — sometimes quiet, sometimes disruptive — when a decision was made: Now is the time.

Here, Class of 2026 graduates share their personal journeys and discuss what led them to finally pursue their degrees and what helped them to reach the finish line. Read on for some inspirational stories, and help us celebrate our amazing graduates who will be marking their achievements at our Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony on May 31 in Glendale, AZ.

A Diverse Class of Graduates

Russell Harris, who earned his Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education in 2026, is one of many students who made the major life decision to return to school and finished what he had started years earlier. Russell has served in the U.S. Army since 2011 and is a father of two daughters. He first pursued his degree in 2008 while deployed to Iraq, but at the time, he says he didn’t have a clear direction for his degree. He took a few classes, but not enough to finish.

After returning from Iraq in 2009, he encountered multiple challenges, including a divorce. “I lost the motivation to continue my education,” he admits.

Finally, in 2023, he reflected and made the decision to return to school.

“After my oldest daughter graduated from high school, I took a step back and realized it was time to go back and earn my degree,” he says. “I wanted to show my daughters that their dad can finish what he started.”

Russell isn’t alone. UAGC graduate Sally Newton started and stopped her education before and said life simply got in the way.

“Going back to school was something I had started many times throughout my life, but like many people, life circumstances — divorce, remarriage, raising a family, and job changes — made it difficult to finish,” she explains.

But this time, it was different. She took advantage of a partnership her employer Edward Jones has with UAGC, allowing her to earn her degree at a lower cost, and enrolled in the BA in Operations Management and Analysis program.

“A coworker shared the program with me, and I knew it was my chance,” she says. “I decided to fully commit and finally finish what I had started years ago.

“Today, I am proud to say that I accomplished my goal and earned my degree — something I once thought might never happen. At 50 years old, I can confidently say it is never too late to finish what you started.”

And from that decision, a new chapter begins. One built on persistence, late nights, early mornings, and the steady commitment to something larger than the immediate demands of the day.

Of course, no journey is without obstacles. There are setbacks that threaten momentum, unexpected responsibilities that shift priorities, and moments of doubt that challenge even the strongest resolve.

Nico Madrid knows this firsthand. The Master of Arts in Organizational Management graduate experienced a severe lower back injury that nearly prevented him from continuing.

“The pain was so intense that I couldn’t walk or even crawl,” he recalls. “I ended up going to the ER on my birthday, and for over two months I wasn’t able to do much of anything.”

Nico had to take time off work and lean on his wife for mental and physical support. With her encouragement, along with backing from his VA community, he pushed through to complete his discussion posts.

“I’m now in a much better place and able to walk again,” he says.

However, his challenges didn’t stop there.

Balancing multiple roles was also something he had to adjust to. He works as a city employee, runs his own music publication, and supports his dad, who was hospitalized recently with congestive heart failure. “On top of that, I’m newly married and striving to be the best husband I can be — all while completing my master’s degree,” he adds.

There are detours that test focus and delays that test patience. Some students prefer to keep their journeys a secret from everyone, even their loved ones.

"At first, I didn’t even tell my wife about my plans, “Servillano III Gonzales confesses, “I wanted to do this on my own without adding to her responsibilities.”

Becoming a student again after a long break from school is a big adjustment. Sometimes, you even need to relearn the basics like creating a PowerPoint. Thankfully, Servillano, who is well on his way to earning a bachelor’s degree in health care administration, learned that he didn’t have to do it alone. He leaned on his daughter who often helped him study late into the night. And when he had to bring his study overseas, his wife was right by his side.

"During a trip to the Philippines, I studied quietly on my old laptop,” Servillano says. “When it unexpectedly broke, my wife gifted me a new MacBook, which I quickly learned to use just in time for an important assignment. Their support meant everything to me.

“This journey taught me that success isn’t just about talent or opportunity — it’s about resilience, faith, and the courage to start again, even when the path feels uncertain.”

Sometimes you need to rely on lived experience to get you through. Other times, that same experience can get you ahead. Raymond Fong, who is soon to be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in project management, was able to draw from his high school experiences, where he earned college credits.

“I actually earned my Associate of Arts before I even received my high school diploma,” he says.

However, once he enrolled in college at age 18, he wasn’t sure what career he wanted to build for himself.

“I chose a path I thought my parents would have preferred, but I quickly realized I had no real interest in it,” he explains. “At the same time, I was working part-time and found myself prioritizing earning money over pursuing a degree I wasn’t passionate about.”

It was only two years ago that Raymond realized he wanted a degree on his terms.

“This is where the credits I earned in high school made a real difference,” he says. “I was able to transfer them to UAGC, complete my general education and electives, and focus on courses aligned with my career goals. Combined with online courses through Sophia Learning, I was able to complete my degree in just 17 months.

I’m proud to finally be finishing the journey I started 18 years ago.”

When the goal extends beyond the degree itself, when it represents confidence, advancement, upskilling, or the pursuit of a better life, the destination rarely leaves sight for long. It simply requires endurance to keep moving toward it. Just ask Jordene Brown, who earned her BA in Marketing.

“While attending UAGC, I consistently pursued my dreams by hosting vendor events and teaching monthly jewelry classes, all while staying committed to my coursework and projects,” she explains. “There were moments of exhaustion and doubt, but I remained focused on the bigger picture: building a better life for myself and my child,” she says.

As a Jamaican immigrant in the United States for 15 years, Jordene is very proud to mark this milestone.

“Graduation represents not only personal achievement, but also the sacrifices I’ve made and the legacy I am creating,” she says. “I am proud to make the Air Force, my family, and my Jamaican roots proud. This journey has strengthened me, and I am just getting started.”

Mariella Tamayo, who is graduating with an MBA, is a testament to the strength of a bond between mother and daughter. Coming from an immigrant family, Maria had to watch as they worked hard to build a better life for her. It was only right, Maria says, to continue those efforts. And it’s paying off.

“I’m proud to be the first in my family to earn an MBA in the United States,” she proclaims.  “When I walk across that stage, my 3-year-old daughter will be watching. More than anything, I want her to see what’s possible. I want her to grow up knowing that no matter where you start, you can build something greater. That moment isn’t just for me — it’s for her and everything I hope she believes she can become.”

While Maria is paving the way for her daughter, Erik Baker is paving the way for a better version of himself. Preparing to grace the stage with a bachelor’s degree in education studies, Erik’s story proves that having the right people in your corner makes all the difference.

“My wife, Celeste, has been my strength in ways words can hardly capture,” he says “She stood by me through late nights, stressful moments, and times when I felt overwhelmed. Her encouragement, patience, and constant prayers reminded me to keep going, even when I felt like I had nothing left to give.”

And his support system doesn’t stop there.

As a firefighter, he also has turned to his colleagues for added encouragement.

“The bond we share is more than a job — it’s a brotherhood,” he notes. “They supported me, motivated me, and stepped in when I needed it most. Whether it was covering for me, encouraging me during long shifts, or simply reminding me to stay focused, they helped carry me through this journey. Knowing I wasn’t alone made all the difference.”

When you finish your program, you often get more than what you bargain for. Such was the case for Erik.

“Looking back, this experience didn’t just earn me a degree — it helped shape me into a stronger man, a better leader, and a more faithful servant. It taught me resilience, perseverance, and the importance of having the right people in your corner.

This journey reminded me that no matter how heavy the load gets, with faith, discipline, and the right support system, you can make it through. I didn’t walk this path alone, and I’m grateful for every person who stood beside me. This is more than an accomplishment — it’s a testimony.”

Time to Celebrate

At the UAGC Spring 2026 Commencement ceremony on May 31, more than 2,000 graduates are expected to cross the stage. Each name called will represent more than academic achievement. They represent persistence, sacrifice, and a decision to continue even when continuing was not easy.

And collectively, they represent all UAGC students who have chosen to step forward and shape a better tomorrow.

Behind the regalia are not just graduates. They are the people you already know. Your neighbors. Your coworkers. Your supervisors. Your employees. Your teachers. Your mentors. Your friends.

They were already contributing to their communities before they crossed the stage. Now, they do so with new tools, expanded knowledge, and a credential that reflects years of lived experience and determination.

They all crossed through here.

Which leads to a simple but important question: Will you be next?

Learn more about our degree programs and speak to an advisor today!