CC&E Celebrates the Class of Spring 2026

Today the latest class of CC&E graduates starts a new chapter!

"To all our graduating students, let me offer my most sincere congratulations. You chose a college that has the faculty expertise and resources to provide not just a solid classroom experience but opportunities to work on some of the toughest environmental and ecological issues," said CC&E Dean Clint Willson. 

"You are now ready to develop impactful and meaningful solutions and should all be so proud of yourselves! Whether you’re completing a Bachelor’s or a PhD, please know what you’ve accomplished is not easy. You’ve shown dedication to your studies, and a passion for building a more sustainable future. These things speak very highly of you. We can’t wait to see where you go!" Willson said.

This graduating class boasted seven PhDs and six Masters degrees across Environmental Sciences and Oceanography & Coastal Sciences, two students receiving graduate certificates, and 26 students receiving Bachelor's degrees in Coastal Environmental Sciences.

These students will use their CC&E educations as launching pads for impactful careers in a variety of fields. 

DOCS PhD candidate Gaby Carpenter will be working as a coral scientist conducting fieldwork for the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program.  Her dissertation research was on the spread of coral disease by long distant transport. "In the future, I hope to leverage the methods I used to help managers understand future disease risk and mitigate outbreaks on coral reefs," she says.

DES PhD candidate Sean Christopher Reagan hopes his work will help others harness the information they need to make strong health decisions. "We are awash in data about our health and environment. I'm interested in finding, bridging, and querying disparate data sources to answer unique questions that help us improve and interact with our health care systems, processes, and environment."

Wherever their career path takes them, these graduates' time at CC&E will leave an indelible mark. 

"The biggest thing I learned during my time in CES would have to be just how ephemeral college really is," said Coastal Environmental Sciences graduate Isabel Dean. "Everyone took the same classes together, but now we all have our own niche passions to chase after graduation. I can’t wait to see what everyone does.”