Anaheim

March 15-16, 2024

Commencement Weekend in Anaheim

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Watch this video to see what a typical in-person commencement day looks like for a graduate.

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Keynote Speaker

Dr. Jose Hernandez
Astronaut

Jose Hernandez is a University of California Regent and President and Chief Executive Officer at Tierra Luna Engineering, LLC, an aerospace engineering consulting company.

Dr. Hernandez worked at NASA Johnson Space Center from 2001 to 2011, where he was an astronaut, legislative analyst, branch chief and materials research engineer.

Prior to that, Dr. Hernandez worked 17 years for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and worked on the X-ray laser project, co-developed the first full-field digital mammography system for the earlier detection of breast cancer and worked in the nuclear non-proliferation arena where he served as the Lab’s Deputy Program Manager in the Russian Highly Enriched Uranium Implementation Program and as Program Manager at DOE Headquarters for Office of International Material Protection and Cooperation.

Dr. Hernandez holds a Master’s of Science in Signals and Systems Engineering from University of California, Santa Barbara, a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of the Pacific and has been honored with eight Doctorate Degrees, honoris causa.

School of Business and School of Technology Graduate Speakers

Terrance Cooley

Terrance is an active duty Master Sergeant who serves as a strategic advisor for a United States Air Force advanced R&D Center. A champion of inclusivity, he is a former cyber threat hunter turned HR champion whose principle belief is that empowered, diverse teams realize unprecedented innovation and secure strategic certainty.

Terrance previously served as an Adjunct Instructor of Cybersecurity for Fullstack Academy and is a retired Foster Care Resource Parent with over 23 thousand hours of service. Additionally, he is the adoptive father of a 16 year old "electrical engineer in training" with a big personality and bigger smile. The views he expresses are his own and do not necessarily represent those of the United States Air Force.

Arteja Stamps

Arteja Stamps, a Chicago native, married her high school sweetheart, Jason, at the tender age of 19. She embarked on a new chapter in Little Rock, Arkansas, where they nurtured their two daughters, Sasha and Sahara. Professionally, Arteja shines as a project manager at Simmons Bank, showcasing her knack for leadership and organization.

In 2018, she established the “Fight Against Childhood Starvation,” a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding families grappling with food insecurity. Arteja’s initiative has been a beacon of hope for over 75 families, serving as a

testament to her unwavering commitment to community welfare.

Beyond her philanthropic endeavors, Arteja harbors a passion for graphic design, a creative outlet that culminated in the founding of AMS Marketing Solutions. This venture specializes in crafting logos and pageant titleholder wear, blending Arteja’s artistic flair with her keen business acumen. Arteja has also graced the pageant stage, securing several titles, including the prestigious Mrs. Arkansas, USA, 2024. In 2024, Arteja earned her Masters of Business Administration, adding another feather to her cap. Arteja Stamps embodies the spirit of versatility, compassion, and excellence, making her story not just inspiring, but profoundly relatable.

Leavitt School of Health and School of Education Graduate Speakers

Eddie Cruz

Eddie Cruz’s early years were marked by significant adversity, navigating a challenging childhood in the absence of both parents, leading to struggles with learning, self-doubt, and personal hardship. Despite these obstacles, Eddie's dream of a better future drove him from a high school dropout to achieving academic excellence, earning his Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Western Governors University.

Professionally, Eddie holds a

leadership role within innovation in the healthcare sector as the Chief Product Officer at Select Data. His expertise is recognized through multiple credentials, including RHIA, HCS-D, and CompTIA-Project.

Married to his supportive husband, Sebastian, and a parent to three children, he proudly embodies the role of a dedicated family man, overcoming personal and professional challenges. Eddie's story is not just one of individual achievement but a reflection of the collective perseverance and dedication of students who dare to dream and overcome. As he looks to the future, Eddie aspires to continue his personal and professional growth, with ambitions that include stepping into executive leadership roles and contributing to the broader field of healthcare administration.

Marianna Sanchez

Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Marianna Sanchez faced the challenge of becoming a mother at the age of 15. Despite this, Marianna graduated high school with honors and at the age of 18 founded a non-profit to assist teen mothers. Marianna battled lupus, an autoimmune disease, but continued to pursue her educational and career goals. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication from UTSA and earned her Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction with WGU in 2024. She is currently working toward her Master’s of Science in Marketing. Marianna has a passion for helping others and aims to use her experiences and education to make a lasting, positive impact on the world.

Her commitment to positive change propelled her into the political arena, where she became the youngest candidate to run for office in Bexar County at 21, and shortly after, ran for mayor at 22.

National Anthem Singers

Alexandra Nicopoulos
Leavitt School of Health and School of Education Singer

Born in Washington D.C., Alexandra spent the better part of her childhood living abroad in Europe with her family. Alexandra received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater from Ithaca College in 2017 and lived in New York City pursuing a career as a professional actress and singer. Alexandra has performed on national tours across the United States, worked at various theater companies and festivals, and highlighted her musical work at Carnegie Hall.

After COVID, her career took an unexpected turn and Alexandra found herself landing a job with PearsonVUE

in Project Management. It was this new career move that inspired her to pursue her Master’s of Science in Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology at WGU. After completing her program in two years, Alexandra was then promoted to a senior level position in her department.

She would like to thank everyone in her Big Fat Greek family for always supporting her tirelessly through every obstacle and success, and would like to dedicate her performance of the National Anthem to Uncle Pete, who was an incredible musician who encouraged her to rediscover her passion for music.

Jessica Bewley
School of Business and School of Technology Singer

Jessica Bewley developed a passion for singing as a child and continued to stay involved in music throughout her adulthood. She has been a member of the Pride of West Virginia’s Mountaineer Marching Band, women’s choir, and steel drum band.

After securing a new position as an IT specialist, Jessica chose to pursue her

Master's of Science in Information Technology Management with Western Governor’s University to further her education.

Jessica and her husband currently reside in Martinsburg, West Virginia with their sweet dog and snuggly cat. When Jessica is not working in IT, you can find her spreading her love of music at her local performing arts studio, where she teaches voice lessons, musical theater, and tap dance.