---
title: Announcing our 2026 commencement speaker
date: 2026-04-08T11:14:00-04:00
author: Nicole Joie
canonical_url: "https://president.umd.edu/news/announcing-our-2026-commencement-speaker"
section: News
---
# Announcing our 2026 commencement speaker

*April 8, 2026* — by Nicole Joie
> Each year, I have the great pleasure of announcing our commencement speaker—someone whose story we hope will stay with our graduates long after they turn their tassels.

My fellow Terrapins,

Each year, I have the great pleasure of announcing our commencement speaker—someone whose story we hope will stay with our graduates long after they turn their tassels.

This year, I am proud to welcome a Terp whose journey has taken her from College Park to the International Space Station. An aerospace engineer, former CIA intelligence officer, NASA astronaut and proud UMD alumna, she has built a career defined by exploration, discovery and breaking barriers.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Jeanette Epps!


[Announcing UMD's 2026 Commencement Speaker](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4Z9B52K97o)


Dr. Epps’ life is driven by fearless determination, and there is no better role model for our graduating class as they step boldly into their futures. It is a true honor to welcome her back to Maryland, where so much of her remarkable journey began.

**Commencement ceremonies**

I look forward to celebrating our graduates from summer 2025, fall 2025 and spring 2026 at SECU Stadium on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 6 p.m. for the campus commencement ceremony.

[Individual school and college ceremonies](https://commencement.umd.edu/school-college-ceremonies) will be held on Tuesday, May 19, Wednesday, May 20 and Thursday, May 21. The [commencement website](https://commencement.umd.edu/) has additional information about tickets, ceremony schedules, regalia and answers to frequently asked questions.

Go Terps!


**Signature of President Darryll Pines**

**Darryll J. Pines**  
*President, University of Maryland*  
He/Him/His

X: [@President\_Pines](https://twitter.com/President_Pines)  
Instagram: [@President\_Pines](https://www.instagram.com/President_Pines/)