Commencement 2026 at the Cal State Fullerton College of Business and Economics will feature a record of four student speakers who will reflect on the Business Titan experience and inspire their fellow graduates. 

We invited each of these graduates to share their college journeys, their goals for the future and insight into their speeches.  

Coelle Ofalla-Hernando (Accounting) – Morning Ceremony Speaker 

A first-generation Filipino American transfer student, Ofalla-Hernando relocated to Fullerton from the San Francisco Bay Area to pursue an education in accounting and business administration at Cal State Fullerton, both of which are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). She was also drawn to the prestige of the Business Honors Program, which she has been involved in since fall 2024.  

Thanks to Business Honors and Beta Alpha Psi, she has secured internships with Big Four accounting firm EY and mid-tier firm CBIZ, as well as a fellowship with Sunstone Management. She also placed first in the Beta Alpha Psi Mid-Year Meeting: Best Practices Competition.  

“Cal State Fullerton has provided me with endless, enriching opportunities that have allowed me to shape my story and find myself at my own pace. And to every individual, as well as obstacles, involved in my story, their impact will always live on in my chapter here and beyond,” she says. “I hope to remind my peers that their journey, both pre- and post-graduation, is not bound by comparison or a timeline. We have the rest of our lives to shape our stories.”  

Melissa Delgado (Marketing and Data Analytics)  – Afternoon Ceremony Speaker 

While a student at Cal State Fullerton’s business college, Delgado developed a strong interest in marketing, particularly the blend of creativity and data-driven decision making. She points to Professor Jay Yang as one of the most impactful faculty members in her experience, helping her connect classroom concepts to real-world marketing applications.  

A first-generation graduate, Delgado represents many Titan students who balance personal responsibilities with coursework and extracurricular activities. She feels this journey makes graduation an even more meaningful accomplishment.  

“In my speech, I will reflect on the challenges many of us faced behind the scenes and the determination it took to keep going,” she says. “I hope to leave my classmates feeling proud of their journey and confident as they step into what comes next.” 

Alex Fisher (MBA) – Evening Ceremony 

Alex Fisher was a staff member at the Dean’s Suite of the College of Business and Economics when he began his MBA journey, concentrating in Organizational Leadership. Fisher made college history as one of the first few male allies to join the Women’s Leadership Program, providing unique insights into the diversity of today’s workforce.  

In addition to technical competence, Fisher points to both inward and outward awareness as a key outcome of his Titan experience. “I’ve been challenged to look inward and reflect on the world around me, so I can answer who I am and what type of individual and leader I want to be,” he says.  

After graduation, Fisher hopes to return to the business college to mentor students and encourage staff to seize the opportunity of going back to school as he did.  

Fisher’s speech reflects on the meaning behind reaching a milestone like commencement and the shared experience that connects every graduate in the room. He encourages his classmates to pause and recognize not only how far they’ve come, but the people and moments that helped shape the journey. “There’s something profound about realizing we all arrived here through very different paths, yet we share this moment together,” he says. “It becomes bigger than just an individual accomplishment.” 

Nehemiah Obidah (MBA) – Graduate Hooding Ceremony 

For the first time, the college’s commencement exercises are featuring a separate hooding ceremony, occurring on Saturday, May 16, for graduate students. Addressing that gathering will be Nehemiah Obidah, who is completing his MBA in the Business Analytics concentration.  

In addition to academics, Obidah has a passion for storytelling. He and his siblings contribute to the creative side of a small business dedicated to publishing original works. Together, the family has published two fiction books.  

Obidah emphasizes the importance of adaptability, innovation and continuous learning, all of which he has honed as a Business Titan.  

“In my speech, I plan to highlight the idea that growth often comes from stepping into uncertainty and embracing change,” he says. “As graduates, we are entering a world where the lines between disciplines are increasingly blurred, and success will come to those who are willing to learn, evolve, and create opportunities rather than wait for them.”  

For More on Commencement Speakers 

Each year, student commencement speeches serve as memories of the Titan experience. Read our articles on student commencement speakers each year since 2016.  

For more information on this year’s ceremonies, visit the university’s official commencement website.