SMC Commencement 2026: One Stage, Many Journeys
On Tuesday, June 16, over 3,000 students crossed the stage on Corsair Field in recognition of their graduation during Santa Monica College’s 96th annual commencement ceremony. Graduates, family, friends and instructors filled the stadium and applauded from the field and bleachers.
Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery, President and Superintendent of SMC, opened the ceremony by acknowledging the academic achievements the graduates had made.
"You see that many of our graduating students are wearing a stole or a cord around their neck,” Jeffery said. “These reflect the honors they've achieved and their participation in selected programs and activities."
According to the SMC website, graduates ranged in age from the youngest at 16 years old to the oldest at 85.
“I'm really passionate about seeing young Black women in new fields,” said business graduate Serayah Pearson, who is moving on to pursue a paralegal degree. “The arts, animation, film and television, law and health. I love that I can be a part of that field."
Commencement speaker Madeline Davis shared highlights of her journey. At 14 years old, she lost her mother. She also overcame a spiral into drug addiction.
Now eight years sober, Davis stated in her speech, “If you don't remember anything I've said today, I hope you remember how you feel right now. Congratulations graduates!"
View highlights from SMC’s 96th Commencement here.