Commencement 2026 Graduate Programs Hooding Ceremony

The College of Business and Economics at California State University, Fullerton proudly celebrates the accomplishments of our graduate program candidates as we host our inaugural Graduate Programs Hooding Ceremony.

Event Details

Clayes Performing Arts Center

Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

Meng Concert Hall, Clayes Performing Arts Center

California State University, Fullerton

Graduates must arrive by 9:00 a.m. for check-in and lineup.

Guest Tickets

Each participating graduate may request up to two (2) guest tickets.

Due to venue capacity, additional tickets are not guaranteed. During registration, graduates will have the opportunity to request additional tickets by joining the waitlist.

As space allows, additional tickets will be distributed to graduates on the waitlist in the order requests are received. Placement on the waitlist does not guarantee additional tickets.

Details regarding waitlist notifications and ticket distribution timelines will be communicated via CSUF email.

Parking

Guests and graduates are encouraged to park in the Nutwood Parking Structure.

Parking is complimentary; no permit is required. Please allow additional time for parking and walking to Meng Concert Hall inside the Clayes Performing Arts Center.

Accessible parking spaces are available within the Nutwood Parking Structure.

Parking Image
What to Expect

Day-of Schedule

9:00 a.m. – Graduate lineup begins / Doors open for guests. Light refreshments available in the lobby. 

9:30 a.m. – Program Begins

10:00 a.m. – Individual hooding of graduates begins

The ceremony will include opening remarks, recognition of graduates, and a guest speaker. Each graduate will be individually hooded on stage.

There will be no formal recessional. The ceremony will conclude following closing remarks, and graduates may meet their guests outside the venue for photos and celebration.

Photography

Professional photography will be provided, including:

  • Photos taken during the hooding moment
  • A photo with the Dean

Guests are welcome to take photos from their seats, provided they do not obstruct aisles or the view of other attendees.

Additional information about accessing professional photos will be shared with graduates at a later time.

Livestream

A livestream link will be shared prior to the ceremony for guests who are unable to attend in person.

Accommodation Requests

Meng Concert Hall includes stairs leading to portions of the audience seating area. Graduates will be seated above the stage and will have elevator access as needed.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible celebration. If you or your guests require mobility or seating accommodations, please contact Erin Schuster at [email protected] in advance so arrangements can be made.

Guide for Graduates

Attire

Full master’s academic regalia is required.

Business attire is recommended under regalia.

Graduates are responsible for ordering regalia by the published university deadline.

Hooding Guide

To help you feel prepared and confident on the day of the ceremony, please review the demonstration video below outlining the hooding process. The video shows how to properly carry your hood (folded and draped over your arm) and what to expect when you walk across the stage.

Demonstration Video:

Written Hooding Instructions

  • Arrive wearing your full regalia.

  • Your hood should not be worn upon arrival. It should be folded and draped neatly over your arm.

  • When directed, approach the stage and walk toward your faculty representative, who will be standing on the platform ready to hood you.

  • Hand your hood to the faculty member.

  • Stand facing the audience as they place the hood over your head.

  • If necessary, slightly lower your head to assist with the hooding.

  • Once hooded, pause briefly for a photograph.

  • You will then greet the Dean for a second photograph before exiting the stage as directed.

Step-by-Step Graduate Experience

  • Arrive by 9:00 a.m. and check in.

  • Receive your name card and confirm that your name is correct. Please include phonetic spelling if needed.

  • Line up with your classmates as directed.

  • Participate in the processional into the hall.

  • After opening remarks, you will approach the stage when directed.

  • Hand your name card to the announcer.

  • Be hooded by your faculty representative.

  • Pause briefly for professional photography (hooding photo and photo with the Dean), then exit the stage as directed.

  • Return to your seat and celebrate with your classmates.

  • Remain seated for closing remarks. There will be no formal recessional.

  • At the conclusion of the ceremony, exit the venue and meet your guests outside.

FAQs

Food & Beverages

  • Only sealed water containers are permitted inside the venue.

  • No outside food is allowed inside the concert hall.

  • Light refreshments available in the lobby must be consumed before entering Meng Concert Hall.

Guest Policies

  • Flowers and leis are permitted.

  • Balloons, signs, and air horns are not permitted inside the venue.

Arrival

  • Doors open for guests at 9:00 a.m.

  • Graduates must arrive by 9:00 a.m. for check-in and lineup.

Accessibility

  • Graduates will be seated above the stage and will have elevator access as needed.

  • Guests will be seated in the lower-level audience area.

  • If you or your guests require mobility or seating accommodations, please contact Erin Schuster at [email protected] in advance so we can ensure appropriate arrangements are made.

Program & Live Stream

Graduate Programs Hooding Ceremony

College of Business and Economics

California State University, Fullerton

Saturday, May 16, 2026
Meng Concert Hall

About the Ceremony

The Graduate Programs Hooding Ceremony is a special recognition of our master’s graduates, celebrating their academic achievements and marking a significant milestone in their journey.

Livestream

Order of Ceremony

  1. Processional
  2. Welcome Courtney Watts, Executive Director, Graduate Programs and Non-Degree Programs
  3. Dean’s Remarks Dr. Sridhar Sundaram, Dean, College of Business and Economics
  4. Alumni Speaker Victor Guerrero, President & COO, Infinity Bank
  5. Student Speaker Nehemiah Obidah

Class of 2026 Graduates

  • Carlos Aguilar
  • Jonathan Aguirre
  • Parth Ahir
  • Shahrzad Ahmadi
  • Ahmadreza Ahmadzia
  • Katherine Alas Aleman
  • Dana Alhalabi
  • Clara Alvarez Meillon
  • Alison Arcos
  • Matthew Asato
  • Ryan Ascencio
  • Jesus Ayala
  • Brandon Back
  • Sai Surya Varun Bade
  • Vickreen Bajwa
  • Jazmin Barajas
  • Aagnya Barot
  • Giovanni Barreto
  • Hunter Behrendt
  • Michael Benedetti
  • Mitchell Berbera
  • Kevin Biju
  • Madison Blake
  • George Boller
  • Maria Bonilla
  • Thomas Brunson
  • Juliet Cabral
  • Carolina Canas
  • Abraham Carlos
  • Marisa Castaneda-Garcia
  • Mary Ellen Castillo
  • Juan Castro Cruz
  • ANDREA CERRUDO
  • Suraj Chand
  • Eric Chavira
  • Yuelin Chen
  • Randy Chhoeung
  • Samuel Chin
  • Preston Christian
  • Brennen Clark
  • Tamara Costagutto
  • Cristina Cota
  • Wei Cui
  • Alia Dalati
  • Khuyen Dao
  • Sukhbir Dhillon
  • Abhinav Dhindsa
  • Victor Diaz Lafferty
  • Ryan Dickey
  • Sophia Ding
  • Nicholas Dinh
  • Duy Do
  • Kim Do
  • Gina Dolliver
  • Erik Dominguez
  • Eric Doppert
  • Katelyn Duong
  • Michael Early
  • Keerthanaa Ellur
  • Palmyra Espinosa
  • Edwin Espinoza
  • Roman Esquibel
  • Randy Famoso
  • Patrick Felipe
  • Alexander Fisher
  • Candice Friel
  • Grant Fuller
  • LOURDES GARCIA
  • Raul Garcia
  • Donia Gars
  • Kyler Geoffroy
  • Christopher Ghidella
  • Katherine Gilbert-Bello
  • Katherine Gildea
  • Daniel Glenn
  • Brittan Goldstein
  • Alexander Gomez
  • Adam Gonzales
  • Kimberly Goswiller
  • JAHNAVI GOTTUMUKKALA
  • Hailey Gough
  • Jennifer Grech
  • Sophia Guan
  • Sriram Gubbala
  • Darshan Gudivada
  • Bontala Venkata Sai Manish Gupta
  • Melissa Guzman
  • Kamal Hamid
  • Imran Hamid
  • Monica Han
  • Kirk Heide
  • Malia Hernandez
  • Marie Claire Hernandez
  • Ruben Herrera
  • Evelyn Hinestrosa
  • RAY HOU
  • Albert Hsue
  • Amy Hua
  • Justus Huang
  • Jae Hyuk Huh
  • Linda Huynh
  • Benjamin Isola
  • Michael Jamshidi
  • Srija Jangam
  • Justin Jaramillo
  • Hee Kang
  • Stephen Kapinus
  • Mohammad Siddique Khan
  • Brendan Kim
  • Pulakitha Sagar Kotti
  • Pulakitha Sagar Kotti
  • Matthew Kui
  • Yin-Bo Kuo
  • Jayden Lam
  • Dominik Lang
  • Ayorinde Latinwo
  • Ayorinde Latinwo
  • Chenda Lay
  • Heather Le
  • Ryan Le
  • Hang Le
  • Nicholas Le
  • Casey Le
  • JISUN LEE
  • Gary Leung
  • MingXin Li
  • Cindy Li
  • Linjie Li
  • HAI-PEI LIAO
  • Alexandra Liaw
  • John Tristen Lim
  • Anderson Liu
  • Anthoniraj Lourdhusamy
  • Boyi Lu
  • Giuseppe Lunetto
  • Jimmy Luong
  • Alina Mahmood
  • Yawer Mahmood
  • Neema Malakooti
  • Tiffany Maloney-Rames
  • Harshita Manker
  • Andrew Martinez
  • Kristen Martinson
  • Aaron Matyas
  • Garreth McDaniel
  • Austin McGregor
  • Connor Mckelvey
  • Prateeksha Mehta
  • Moises Melendez
  • Cierra Merriman
  • Bryan Morales
  • Parker Morrow
  • Anthony Naranjo
  • Lauren Newton
  • Audrey Ngo
  • Hannah Nguyen
  • Chieu Nguyen
  • Nam Nguyen
  • Thu Nguyen
  • Trung Tin Nguyen
  • Angel Nguyen
  • Dangkhang Nguyen
  • Tram Ai Tien Nguyen
  • Phong Nguyen
  • Tien Nguyen
  • Kun Niu
  • Alex Nyberg
  • Nehemiah Obidah
  • Deanna OBrien
  • Michael O'Donnell
  • Kevin Oliva
  • Cameron Olson
  • Mika Ozaki-Gonzales
  • Desmond Patterson
  • Anh Pham
  • Audrey Pina
  • Mario Pineda
  • Monica Pinon
  • Hayden Poe
  • Colleen Popli
  • Arcie Pragale
  • Neelam Prasad
  • Armando Quezada
  • Thomas Quigley
  • Heidar Rahmanian
  • Fatima Ramirez
  • Jorge Ramirez
  • Claire Rappaport
  • Dhrithi Reddy
  • Kobe Rico
  • Jin Rim
  • Sophearith Rin
  • Tyler Robles
  • Jonathan Rodriguez
  • Alizarin Rodriguez
  • Jonathan Rouse
  • Irma Ruiz
  • Nuelbella Sandoval
  • Andrew Sarabia
  • Erik Saradpon
  • Jamil Semaan
  • Ryan Sewell
  • Joshua Seyed
  • Khizran Shah
  • Zoe Shahbaz
  • Hanoonah Sheikh
  • Julius Shepherd
  • Hailey Shin
  • Lisanne Siebrecht
  • Eric Silva
  • Mohamed Skaik
  • Eric Snyder
  • Kimberly Solichin
  • Nathan Sone
  • Jonathan Sur
  • Zhi Shan Tan
  • Yulia Tereshchenko
  • John Tijanich
  • Irina Tolstikov
  • Duc Nhan Tran
  • Le Thanh Truc Tran
  • Vy Trinh
  • Shannon Trueman
  • Tuan Truong
  • Schiwa Tschizari
  • Sammi Tsui
  • Rashawn Underdue
  • Erin Vallejo
  • Rebecca Vanegas
  • Courtney Vega
  • Katelynn Vega
  • Nguyen Thy Anh Vo
  • Sherise Vo
  • Tram Vo
  • Mikka Von Scherr
  • Charles Wade
  • Tz-Shian Wang
  • Stephanie Weng
  • Evan Wu
  • Sean Yamanouye
  • Jessica Yu
  • Pascual Zacarias
  • Crystal Zarate
  • Yeldah Zia
  • Ali Zia

Platform Party

  • Dr. Sean Walker, Provost
  • Dr. Sridhar Sundaram, Dean
  • Dr. Sunil Thomas, Associate Dean
  • Mr. Tim Goff, Dean’s Advisory Board Chair
  • Mr. Victor Guerrero, Graduate Program Alumni Speaker
  • Nehemiah Obidah, Graduate Program Student Speaker
  • Dr. Jenny Zhang, Associate Dean
  • Dr. Zhejia Ling, Department Chair of Accounting
  • Dr. Radha Bhattacharya, Department Chair of Economics
  • Dr. Weili Lu, Department Chair of Finance
  • Dr. Rahul Bhaskar, Department Chair of ISDS
  • Dr. Rommel Salvador, Department Chair of Management
  • Dr. Neil Granitz, Department Chair of Marketing
  • Courtney Watts, Executive Director of Graduate and Non-Degree Programs

Faculty Advisors

  • Dr. Megan Grady, MS Accountancy
  • Dr. Barry Gershenovitz, MS Taxation
  • Dr. Pedro Amaral, MA Economics
  • Dr. Gang Peng, MS Information Systems
  • Dr. Daniel Soper, MS Information Technology
  • Dr. Ryan Gottfredson, MBA