Monterio Selected as Class of 2026 Student Speaker
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Kayla Soraia Monterio has been selected as the Class of 2026 student speaker for this year’s Senior Recognition Ceremony, to be held on Saturday, May 16 in the Mullins Center. Following a call for nominations, Monterio was selected by a panel composed of a dean, student, staff, and faculty member.
Monterio is a chemical engineering student from Boston, Massachusetts. At UMass Amherst, she demonstrated exceptional leadership and a strong commitment to community engagement within the Riccio College of Engineering.
Monterio served as President of the UMass chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), leading the largest chapter in university history to attend the Annual National Convention. Under her leadership, the chapter achieved record-breaking fundraising and outreach, enabling an unprecedented number of students to attend the convention fully funded.
She also served as Secretary and Public Relations Chair for She is Goals, supporting initiatives that empower women on campus. She participated in the S-STEM Scholars Program and was a Sloan Student Fellow in the Institute of Diversity Sciences. In addition, as a Resident Assistant, she helped foster a supportive and inclusive residential community.
Monterio conducted research in the Stacyann Bailey Laboratory, studying the role of Let-7 microRNA in bone biology. Her work examined how Let-7 expression influences bone morphology and cellular behavior, contributing to a broader understanding of bone development and disease.
Beyond academics and leadership, Monterio remained deeply engaged in cultural and global initiatives. She was an active member of the Cape Verdean Student Alliance (CVSA) and the Haitian American Student Association (HASA) dance team. Through UMass-supported opportunities, she participated in a STAR Service-Learning study abroad program in Ghana and a volunteer service trip to Cape Verde through CVSA.
Monterio has made a lasting impact at UMass Amherst and within the Riccio College of Engineering. She is committed to using her voice, experiences, and engineering skills to inspire others and create pathways for those who follow.