Penn State Scranton’s class of 2026 joined the ranks of PSU alumni Saturday, celebrating their accomplishments as undergraduates while looking forward to making their mark on the world.

Campus Chief Academic Officer H. Durell Johnson, Ph.D., presided over the ceremony at the Scranton Cultural Center on behalf of Interim Regional Chancellor David Callejo Perez, Ed.D.

Penn State Scranton students process into the graduation ceremony at the Scranton Cultural Center on Saturday.Penn State Scranton students process into the graduation ceremony at the Scranton Cultural Center on Saturday.

Shanie Mohamed, founding executive director of JobsFirst NEPA and a 2019 campus alumna, was commencement speaker.

In his welcome, Johnson praised the graduates for what they have given to the Penn State Scranton community during their years at the campus despite having to balance many different roles.

“Graduates, we gather today to celebrate the attainment of your degree. That is an amazing accomplishment, one that you should be celebrated for. We are grateful to you for the way you have anchored yourself to this community, for the powerful lessons you have taught us about community and kindness, care and concern for others.”

Mohamed, who has built a career in economic and workforce development, and at 27 years old has already held multiple leadership roles, shared valuable insights she has acquired in her professional  life.

“You are entering a workforce that is ever-changing,” she told them. “You will face barriers, but you also have the tools to transform systems, not just exist within them. In trying to navigate what’s next, you will find yourself seeking out your North Star. What is a problem you can’t stand? What’s a barrier you want to break down? When you find that, the ‘what’ of your career will naturally follow the ‘why.’”

She also shared some advice with them that she said she wished had been shared with her: Go after opportunities — lifelong learning battles your imposter syndrome; invest in your professional development wherever possible; and find a mentor.

“We often think of success as a solo sport,” Mohamed said. “But my work has taught me that real success comes from alignment. It comes from seeking help and leveraging the support around you. It comes from being curious and asking questions. Progress is about the bridges you build, not the walls you stand behind.”

Gavan Quimby, graduating president of the campus’s Student Government Association, also addressed his fellow graduates: “Class of 2026, our legacy is one of engagement, leadership, resilience, and community. We have embraced opportunities, uplifted our peers and made a lasting difference. As we step into the next chapter of our journey, carry that same passion and drive, because the world needs leaders just like us.”

Several students graduated with honors of distinction.

Summa Cum Laude: Ava Compton, Christian Dructor, Courtney Nelson and Zamarra Vrabel.

Magna Cum Laude: Andrew Harsche and Ian Kramer.

Cum Laude: Teresa Allen, James Bernosky Jr., Thomas Bruveris, Katrina Alexine Concepcion, Abigail Laude, Grant Lewis, Chloee Rumford, Sadie Taylor and Katie Zabrowski.

Recognition of graduates with military service: Tenisha Bell and Alexis Colasurdo.

The campus also recognizes student marshals in each program discipline — those with the highest cumulative grade point average in their academic program. Student marshals have the honor of leading their fellow graduates in the commencement procession and carrying their academic program’s banner.

Penn State Scranton’s 2026 student marshals are:

• Airiana Scarfo, biology, bachelor of science.

• Andrew Harsche, business, bachelor of science.

• Zamarra Vrabel, corporate communication, bachelor of arts.

• Rowan Mulligan, English, bachelor of arts.

• Abigail Laude, human development and family studies, bachelor of science.

• Courtney Nelson, information technology, bachelor of science.

• Ian Kramer, mechanical engineering, bachelor of science.

• Sara Sasscer, multidisciplinary studies, bachelor of arts.

• Katie Zabrowski, nursing, bachelor of science in nursing.

• Christian Dructor, project and supply chain management, bachelor of science.

• Kiera Lewis, psychology, bachelor of arts.

On Saturday, Penn State Scranton's Class of 2026 attended commencement at the Scranton Cultural Center.On Saturday, Penn State Scranton’s Class of 2026 attended commencement at the Scranton Cultural Center.

Penn State Scranton’s class of 2026 graduates are:

Bachelor of Science, biology: Tanysha Colon, Dunmore; Isabella Colyer, Drums; Emily Dering, Duryea; Devin Gray, Shelton, Conn.; Courtney McCreary, South Abington Twp.; Airiana Scarfo, Covington Twp.; Emma Sokaloski, West Pittston; and Adnaika Thelusma, Scranton.

Associate of Science, business administration: Brenda Aroche, Scranton, and Cory Stuart, Old Forge.

Bachelor of Science, business: Jeffrey Barbiero, Jermyn; Thomas Bruveris, Milford; Evan Familetti, Scranton; Michael Gralinski, Jermyn; Andrew Harsche, Lake Ariel; Donald Healey III, Olyphant; Leah Kellogg, Honesdale; Aiden Kelsall, Hanover Twp.; Jeremy Lasanta, East Stroudsburg; Olivia Osborne, Old Forge; John Paffenroth, Milford; Dhrumil Patel, Scranton; Alec Pruzinsky, Olyphant; Chloee Rumford, Carbondale; Ryan Sabatella, Dickson City; Anthony Scartelli, Scranton; Fhenyx Scutt, Norristown; Kalyssa Shedd, Archbald; Conner Sheruda, Olyphant; Cody Slick, Forest City; Alexei Sorber, Covington Twp.; Purav Suthar, Avoca; Isabella Waters, Dickson City; and Alexander Watt, Jefferson Twp.

Bachelor of Arts, corporate communication: James Bernosky Jr., West Pittston; Ryan Cabrera, Stroudsburg; Ava Compton, Lake Ariel; Rebekah Howells, Covington Twp.; Cora Sisk, Marseilles, Ill.; and Zamarra Vrabel, Peckville.

Bachelor of Arts, English: Kaylie Dunlap, Blakeslee; Rowan Mulligan, Edwardsville; Andrew Phillips, Shohola; and Christina Younger, Scranton.

Bachelor of Science, human development and family studies: Skyler Bower, Dingmans Ferry; Kiley Gardner, Forest City; Quadir Hines, Philadelphia; Kierstin Kennedy, Lake Ariel; Kathryn Lahey, Scranton; Abigail Laude, Susquehanna; Kacia Lawrence, Bartonsville; Leila Moran, Scranton; Ryan Patterson, Throop; Ava Smargiassi, Dickson City; and Elisabeth Swingle, Pittston.

Associate of Science, information sciences and technology: Zachary Benson, Peckville.

Bachelor of Science, information technology: Toby Berg, Tamaqua; Daniel Chabla, Woodside, N.Y.; Alexander Ferguson, Scranton; Gregory Harrington Jr., Dunmore; Adam Horan, Pittston; Jeffrey Jarbola, Scranton; Sherley Lin, Pocono Summit; Aiden Ly, Scranton; Mason Natalini, Dunmore; Courtney Nelson, Mayfield; Andres Nino, Bartonsville; Grant Olsen, Hawley; Devkumar Patel, Scranton; Gavan Quimby, Pocono Lake; Ashley Reyes, Scranton; Gavan Quimby, Jefferson Twp.; and Ashley Reyes, Scranton.

Bachelor of Science, mechanical engineering: Maroon Chalhoub, Milford; Stanley Ciborosky, Dickson City; Alexis Colasurdo, Milford; Richard Cronin, Harveys Lake; Dylan Gaska, Conklin, N.Y.; Megan Gatto, West Abington Twp.; Huday Halaby Jerez, Freeland; Ian Kramer, Drums; Grant Lewis, Clifford Twp.; Jonathan Lobos, Stroudsburg; Ayman Mansuri, Dunmore; Grant McGinley, South Abington Twp.; Emily Toro, Milford; Joshua Wiesel, South Abington Twp.; Hannah Williams, Milford; and Kevin Yang, Scranton.

Associate of Arts, multidisciplinary studies: Maryam Johnson, Peckville, and Natasha Orehek, Lake Ariel.

Bachelor of Arts, multidisciplinary studies: Sara Sasscer, Hawley.

Bachelor of Science, nursing: Teresa Allen, Scranton; Tenisha Bell, Old Forge; Kaylynn Buonpastore, Dunmore; Katrina Alexine Concepcion, Wilkes-Barre; Kayla Graham, Roaring Brook Twp.; Braedon Joyce, Pittston; Mia Karev, Carbondale; Bryn Lindsay, Dalton; Anajah Magee, Scranton; Amanda Moss, Roaring Brook Twp.; Ryan Notari, Thompson; Arianna Pisano, Duryea; Angelo Franco Ramos, Moosic; Danielle Renner, Lake Como; Eric Simonson, Sunol, Calif.; Samantha Swanson, Susquehanna; Abigail Yurkanin, Archbald; and Katie Zabrowski, Jermyn.

Bachelor of Science, project and supply chain management: Zachary DeReamer, Honesdale; Christian Dructor, Throop; Steven Galeana, Scranton; Meg Lagun, Throop; Guy Mushow, Carbondale; Deana Nieves, Bronx, N.Y.; Brandon Novak, Lake Ariel; Gabriella Schmidt, Olyphant; and Sadie Taylor, Forty Fort.

Bachelor of Arts, psychology: Cecilia Gonzalez Rivera, Scranton; James Gulbin, Union Dale; Jessica Kehl, Scranton; Madison Langdon, Middletown, N.Y.; Kiera Lewis, Pittston; Ronald Renfer Jr., Spring Brook Twp.; and Jaiden Wiggins, Philadelphia.

Bachelor of Science, psychology: Wardeh Alobid, Dunmore; Yael Chapo, Milford; Emily Cron, Jessup; Deziree Holyfield, Kingston; Adrian Sokolowski, Dickson City; and Corina White, Lake Winola.