View Graduate Directory

Download the Printable Program

Commencement Program

Welcome and Introductions
Beth Maloch

Senior Associate Dean
Elizabeth Shatto Massey Endowed Chair in Education

Headshot of Beth Maloch

Dean’s Remarks
Charles Martinez

Dean
Lee Hage Jamail Regents Chair in Education
Sid W. Richardson Regents Chair

Charles Martinez

Student Speaker
Brenda Savariego

B.S. ’25, Applied Movement Science

Guest Speaker
Cynthia de las Fuentes

Ph.D. ’94, Educational Psychology

Undergraduate Recognition
Richard Hogeda

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

Headshot of Richard Hogeda

Master’s and Doctoral Graduate Recognition
Alexandra Loukas

Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies
Teresa Lozano Long Endowed Chair in Kinesiology and Health Education

Headshot of Alex Loukas

Conferring of Degrees
Dean Charles Martinez

Headshot of Charles Martinez

Schedule

7 a.m. (CT) – Student Check-in Begins

7 a.m. (CT) – Doors Open for Guests

8 a.m. (CT) – Ceremony Begins

Candidates

Bachelor’s

Applied Learning and Development

Education

Athletic Training

Kinesiology and Health

Master’s

Curriculum and Instruction

Educational Leadership and Policy

Educational Psychology

Health Behavior and Health Education

Kinesiology

Special Education

STEM Education

Doctoral

Curriculum and Instruction

Educational Leadership and Policy

Educational Psychology

Health Behavior and Health Education

Kinesiology

Special Education

STEM Education

Guest Speakers

Commencement Speaker

Cynthia de las Fuentes, Ph.D. ’94, Educational Psychology
Counseling Psychologist and 2024 President of the American Psychological Association

Cynthia de las Fuentes, a renowned bilingual counseling psychologist, educator and scholar, earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology in the College of Liberal Arts at UT Austin and her doctorate in counseling psychology at the College of Education. She was the first member of her Mexican American family to attend graduate school. She taught as a tenured associate professor of psychology at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio for 14 years before engaging in full-time independent practice. 

De las Fuentes has dedicated her career to serving diverse populations, particularly Latinx and immigrant communities, and advocating for social justice. Her work focuses on ethics in psychology and is deeply rooted in feminist theory and multicultural therapy. 

De las Fuentes has held numerous leadership positions, including as president of the American Psychological Association in 2024. She was a founding member of the National Latinx Psychological Association. Earlier in her career, she was recognized as a Congressional Fellow with the Women’s Research and Education Institute.  

Her belief in the power of psychology to change lives is a true testament to her character and humanity.  

Undergraduate Student Speaker

Brenda Savariego, B.S. ’25, Applied Movement Science

Brenda Savariego, a proud native of Brownsville, Texas, and graduate of Lopez Early College High School, is a distinguished member of the College of Education Class of 2025. A lifelong athlete, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Applied Movement Science from the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education.

As a Texas Education Scholar, Savariego directed a mentorship program designed to foster and guide the next generation of young leaders. During her time at UT Austin, she stayed active by playing intramural volleyball and basketball while gaining valuable experience through internships for Texas Football Recruiting Operations, Texas Performance Nutrition, Texas Football Athletic Performance, and Texas Olympic Sports Athletic Performance. 

An active member of the Austin community, she organized a successful toy drive for three years, distributing more than 1,000 toys to children in underserved areas.  

Following graduation, Savariego will begin her career as a Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coach in Major League Baseball.