Rutgers SPAA Celebrates the Class of 2026

Rutgers SPAA is proud to honor our 2026 graduates!

On Thursday, May 21, School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) graduates were honored and recognized as part of Rutgers University–Newark’s 2026 Commencement (livestream) held at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Jonathan T. Capehart, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author, and co-anchor of "The Weekend," delivered the commencement address.

Rutgers SPAA Dean Kaifeng Yang delivered video remarks prior to the ceremony's start, in which he stated the desire for graduates to be impactful. "But that impact, it's not only about what they do, it's also about how they lead." he said. "We want them to lead with a big heart. A heart filled with equity, a commitment to service, and guided by integrity."

SPAA Assistant Professor of Professional Practice Briana Huett carried the gonfalon for the school in the processional. Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration graduate Karen Perez was featured as a graduating student of SPAA following the dean's conferring of degrees.

Preceding the university commencement ceremony, SPAA held a 2026 Graduation Celebration on May 15, where this year's graduates, inductees into the national honor society for public administration, Pi Alpha Alpha, and the 2026 SPAA Award winners were honored. The keynote speaker was Richard W. Roper, a public policy consultant who has held senior level positions in local, state, regional, and federal government agencies and has had experience in nonprofit organizations, private consulting and in academic research, teaching, and administration.

"You can make a difference if you elect to get in the fray and offer support to those who demonstrate a deep concern about our nation’s future," said Roper. "Hopefully, what you choose to do will help make America a better place than it’s ever been before."

A PhD Hooding Ceremony was hosted by the RU-N Graduate School on May 20. Seven PhD students from SPAA graduated as part of the class of 2026.