2025 School of Professional Development Convocation
Monday, May 19, 2025 at 5:30 pm
Live streaming starts at 5:30 pm.
Order of Exercises
PRELUDE AND PROCESSIONAL
ORDER OF MARCH
MARSHALS
Leo Giglio, PhD
Human Resource Management Program Director
Brian Kerr, EdD
Higher Education Administration Program Director
Craig Markson EdD
Educational Leadership Program Director
MASTER’S CANDIDATES
POST-MASTER'S ADVANCED GRADUATE CERTIFICATE CANDIDATES
THE PLATFORM PARTY
WELCOME
Peter C. Diplock, PhD
Vice Provost for Continuing, Professional and Online Education
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Rebecca Arington
Master of Science in Human Resource Management '25
COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
Judith Chin, Vice Chancellor
New York Board of Regents
STUDENT SPEAKER
Michael Corcoran
Master of Arts in Teaching Social Studies '25
PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES
Announced by Marianna Savoca, PhD
Associate Vice President for Career Readiness & Experiential Education
Higher Education Administration
Human Resource Management
Liberal Studies and Advanced Graduate Certificates
Teaching
Educational Leadership and School District Business Leader
CONCLUSION
Peter C. Diplock
RECESSIONAL
Candidates for Degrees and Certificates
GUESTS
COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
Judith Chin
Judith Chin is a lifelong educator and first-generation Chinese American who has dedicated more than 35 years to New York City public schools. She has served in leadership roles at every level of the system — including teacher, principal, superintendent, and Chief Education Officer — overseeing more than 230 schools citywide.
As the first Asian American appointed to the New York State Board of Regents, she brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to equity and academic achievement for all students. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Distinguished Educator Award, a New York State Assembly Citation for Excellence in Education, and a Congressional Citation for Leadership.
Student speaker
Michael Corcoran '25
Master of Arts in Teaching Social Studies
Michael Corcoran is graduating from the BA/MAT Program in Social Studies Education. He is graduating Summa Cum Laude, was a member of the Honors College, and is also graduating with a minor in Music. In his time at Stony Brook, Michael played bassoon for the University Orchestra, and pursued historical research, publishing a paper through the Undergraduate History Journal and completing an Honors College thesis.
Outside of teaching, Michael is a New York State Park Ranger, enjoys music and movies, hiking, reading, crochet, and biking. Michael hopes to become a social studies teacher, and believes that compassion, respect, storytelling, and understanding are the main drivers in being a good educator. In our roles as educators, it is our job to guide our students towards a deeper understanding about themselves and the world around them, creating an environment that fosters growth and learning.
NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMER
Rebecca Arington '25
MS in Human Resource Management
Rebecca Arington is graduating with a Master of Science in Human Resource Management and a 4.0 GPA. She entered the program in August of 2023 and completed her studies online while working as a vocal instructor in Westchester County, NY. She spent her undergraduate years at Indiana University, where she earned a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Voice. She was a core member of the opera company Philadelphia Chorus and performed in several young artist programs throughout the United States and Germany.
Rebecca worked in retail cosmetics for over a decade, advancing from sales associate to account coordinator and market trainer. Passionate about animal welfare, she spent seven years volunteering with NYC Second Chance Rescue as Adoptions Team Lead and Community Outreach Manager. She is transitioning to HR because of her desire to connect with people and foster a positive workplace culture where employees can thrive. Her long-term goal is to specialize in professional development and succession planning.
Land Acknowledgement Statement:
Stony Brook University resides on the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the aboriginal territory of the Setauket or the Setalcott tribe. We acknowledge federal and state recognized tribes who live here now and those who were forcibly removed from their homelands. In offering this land acknowledgement, we affirm indigenous sovereignty, history, and experience.