Meet UWW’s 2026 Student Commencement Speakers

We are proud to introduce the 2026 University Without Walls Interdisciplinary Studies student commencement speakers. They will deliver their addresses during the UWW Senior Recognition Ceremony on Friday, May 15 at 2 p.m. in Tillis Hall at the Bromery Center for the Arts on the campus of UMass Amherst. The ceremony will also stream live on YouTube.

Ana Ximena Peralta Pedroza is a real estate development project manager and a Pilates instructor. Hailing from Mexico City and raised in Florida, this twenty-eight-year-old First Generation college graduate is celebrating earning her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Human Resource Development and a UWW Academic Achievement Award. Prior to UMass Amherst, Ximena attended Oregon State University. After graduation, she looks forward to starting a master’s degree in finance at Brandeis University this fall, and then plans to complete a PhD in finance or economics, with a career goal of finance research. Joining her to celebrate are her mother Ana Maria, her partner Lewis, and his family, while her brother Roberto and her two dogs will be celebrating in Mexico.

Joanne Frances Charland is a residential service desk coordinator at UMass Amherst and a volunteer leader for community organizations including Pedal Thru Youth and the Down Syndrome Resource Group of Western Massachusetts. Originally from Chicopee, Massachusetts and now living across the river in West Springfield, this forty-nine-year-old First Generation college graduate and former high school dropout is celebrating earning her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Applied Psychology, a UWW Academic Achievement Award, and a 21st Century Leaders Award. Prior to attending UMass Amherst, Joanne earned a certificate in Human Services from Holyoke Community College. After graduation, she looks forward to graduate school, with a career goal of supporting mental health for students, formerly incarcerated people, or people with disabilities. Joining her to celebrate are her mother Kathy, her husband Robert, her two sons Vinnie and Rudy, more family members, and several of her student employees.