Northeastern Illinois University celebrates the Class of 2026

Northeastern Illinois University celebrated its 2026 Commencement ceremony in Golden Eagle style — complete with a blue, yellow and white balloon drop and stage pyrotechnics — on Friday, May 15 at Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago.

Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater

The ceremony began with a special performance by Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, honoring its 50th anniversary as a dance company in residence at Northeastern. Throughout the event, themes of overcoming obstacles and perseverance were prevalent.

Award-winning author, scholar and Northeastern alumna Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Ph.D. (B.A. ’07 Board of Governors, now known as Interdisciplinary Studies), shared that her journey to earning her bachelor’s degree at Northeastern was something she felt she needed to do to advance her career. After being in and out of college for several years, she was working full-time near the University’s Main Campus. She decided to enroll at Northeastern — taking classes early in the morning, on her lunch break and in the evening — until she had enough credits to graduate.

Dr. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor

“Because the nontraditional degree program would accept many of my existing college credits, I did not need to start over,” Dr. Taylor shared. “I could pick up where I left off.”

While at Northeastern, she found students and employees who inspired her.

“I initially believed that I was only coming back to school to finish my B.A. so that I could make more money and get better health insurance,” Dr. Taylor said. “But NEIU had become more than just a school for me. For the months that I was in school, I had also become deeply attached to a community of organizers and activists on campus.”

Those connections informed her education and her work thereafter. Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Taylor’s book, “Race for Profit: How Banks and the Real Estate Industry Undermined Black Homeownership” (University of North Carolina Press, 2019), was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History. She was also awarded the MacArthur “genius” and Guggenheim Fellowships. Today, Dr. Taylor is currently the Hughes-Rogers Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University. She encouraged graduates to remember that connecting with others makes change possible.

“Now, more than ever in any of our lifetimes, we need each other,” Dr. Taylor said. “We need to see each other. We need to be curious about each other’s lives, because we will need to fight for each other.”

President Katrina E. Bell-Jordan, Ph.D., also noted the importance of graduates relying on others.

“We know for certain that none of us accomplishes anything in life on our own,” President Bell-Jordan said. “Each of you knows more than anyone how much your own family, friends and loved ones, teachers, classmates and neighbors, and countless others have been instrumental in your persistence, academic success, and ultimately in your graduation. Each of you also has a community of supporters who have provided you with words of encouragement, who have been role models and positive influencers, and who have reminded you of the aptitude and ability you have to realize your goals and dreams.”

President Bell-Jordan noted Northeastern’s Class of 2026 is well equipped and prepared to begin the next chapters of their academic and professional careers.

“Alongside all of your commitments and responsibilities, you have also demonstrated that your passion, tenacity and perseverance in pursuit of your education have paid off and you have risen to meet both the challenges and opportunities you faced in order to achieve your academic and professional goals,” President Bell-Joradan said. She continued, “We are confident in a few key things: that in your own individual ways, you are poised and ready to be leaders, and that your leadership and contributions will matter.”

Northeastern Board of Trustees Chair J. Todd Phillips thanked graduates, their families and the University’s faculty and staff for their commitment and dedication. He went on to note that the entire University community is proud to welcome graduates as alumni.

“Without question, we have over 700 Golden Eagles celebrating graduation today,” Phillips said. He continued, “Class of 2026, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, I say congratulations to each and every one of you. I implore you: when you leave this space, when you go to work, when you go to church, when you go play ball, you leave no doubt, let everyone know what a Golden Eagle is.”

Alvin Gutierrez

The ceremony’s student speaker was Alvin Gutierrez, a candidate for the M.S. in Teaching and Inquiry. With this degree, Gutierrez will become a double alumnus of Northeastern, as he earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2023.

“It’s evident that achievement doesn’t necessarily begin with success,” Gutierrez said. “Sometimes it starts with defeat, but to get something that you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something that you’ve never done.”

He noted that the challenges and successes of the graduating class aren’t solidified in any awards won or titles held, but in the ways those moments have shaped their characters.

“It was always about the experience: the connections we make, the relationships that we build and the everlasting memories that we will cherish for the rest of our lives,” Gutierrez said. “So, don’t go where the wind takes you. Go where it doesn’t, because while others may do their best to fit in, I want you to remember to try your best to stand out.”

Similarly, Dr. Taylor encouraged graduates to be courageous and be a good neighbor to those they will encounter.

“Success is not about your career or your bank account,” Dr. Taylor said. “It is whether we can build the kind of world we all deserve: one of peace, one of justice, one of fairness and empathy. No one can do that for us. We will have to do it for ourselves.”

In closing, President Bell-Jordan reminded graduates to continue to stay connected to the University, be proud of all they’ve achieved and know that they can make a difference.

“Use the knowledge and skills you have gained from your studies to contribute in meaningful ways in whatever path you choose,” President Bell-Jordan said. “Remember that you can be a changemaker in helping tackle the significant issues and challenges facing our neighborhoods, city, region and world. We believe you have the knowledge and tools, passion and humanity to do so.”

Also during the ceremony

• The processional and recessional were performed by the NEIU Wind Ensemble, directed by Assistant Professor of Music Education and Director of the Wind Ensemble Amanda Greenbacker-Mitchell.
• The national anthem was performed by student vocalist Matthew Callahan.
• Vice President of Institutional Advancement Liesl Downey welcomed new graduates into the University’s Alumni Association as the Class of 2026 joins a community of more than 90,000 alumni. 
• The NEIU Alumni Association honored the Class of 1976 as Golden Alumni in recognition of the 50th anniversary of their graduation from the University. 

Golden Alumni Class of 1976 with President Bell-Jordan 

Top photo: Two Northeastern Illinois University students smiling and making a heart shape with their hands during the May 2026 Commencement ceremony.