Undergraduate and Graduate Student Commencement Speakers Named
Student speakers have been named to represent both undergraduate and graduate students at Le Moyne’s upcoming commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16.
Rebecca Kassis has been selected as the 2026 undergraduate speaker. A native of Jamesville, N.Y., Rebecca is a biology major with minors in psychology and chemistry. During her time at the College, she has been involved in leadership and service, most notably serving as chief of Le Moyne Emergency Medical Services (EMS) after previously serving as director of training. She also served as a resident advisor for three years and works in the Office of Residence Life.
A CSTEP Scholar and Presidential Scholarship recipient, she has consistently been named to the Dean’s List. She is a member of several honor societies, including Alpha Lambda Delta, Beta Beta Beta and Psi Chi. Her leadership has been recognized through multiple awards, including the EMS Command Staff Wellness Champion and Change Agent Award, Outstanding Senior Leadership Award, and the Community Builder of the Year Award in Residence Life.
Rebecca has studied abroad in both Tunisia and Puerto Rico and has traveled to Lebanon. Following graduation, she will continue her education at Le Moyne in the Physician Assistant program, where she hopes to integrate her passion for holistic, patient-centered care into her future career. In addition to her travel abroad, her Lebanese and Puerto Rican roots have shaped her perspective and passion for culturally competent care.
The graduate student speaker will be Mathew Vincent, who is receiving an Ed.D. in Executive Leadership. He currently serves as the director of community standards at Le Moyne where he oversees the College’s student conduct process, as well as providing non-clinical support to the student population. Prior to Le Moyne, Matt spent seven years at Utica University, where he served in various roles across student affairs including residence life, TRIO student support services and victim advocacy. He began his career in residence life at his alma mater, The College of Saint Rose in Albany. He earned his Bachelor of Science in childhood education, as well as Master of Science in higher education leadership and administration, from Saint Rose.
He began his doctoral studies at Le Moyne College in 2022, focusing his research on organic mentorship, impostor phenomenon and leadership formation among student affairs administrators at Jesuit institutions, under the direction of Dr. Ceceilia Parnther, Dr. Loretta Quigley and Dr. Shari Weiss-Russell.
