The College of Staten Island is proudly celebrating its 77th Commencement tomorrow, and along with greeting and salutations from President Dr. Timothy G. Lynch and guests, the ceremony will highlight its top honorees: Class of 2026 Valedictorian Michelle Danglade, Salutatorian Ashley Villalva, and Honorary Degree recipient, Laura Kennedy.

A History major at CSI with a perfect 4.0 GPA, Danglade’s journey to this achievement was anything but straightforward. Overcoming significant personal and health-related challenges throughout her college career, she approached each semester with determination, viewing every assignment, project, and milestone as an opportunity to prove to herself just how far hard work and passion could take her.

Beyond the classroom, Danglade has been an active member of the CSI community through her work with the League of Historians, Phi Alpha Theta, and the LILAC Preservation Project, where she volunteers in archival preservation. Her academic interests have also extended into original research, including her presentation, “Vodou in the Age of Covid-19,” at the 2026 Undergraduate Conference on Research, Scholarship, and the Arts. Professionally, she has gained communications and digital media experience through internships with PEN America and The Humble Heroes of FDNY Inc., blending creativity with advocacy and public engagement.

As Salutatorian, Ashley Villalva has demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to service. A student in the Macaulay Honors College at CSI, she will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and minors in Legal Studies and Spanish, maintaining a 3.9 GPA while balancing an impressive record of campus involvement and professional experience.

A proud Hispanic woman and first-generation success story, Villalva credits much of her drive and determination to her mother, whose sacrifices inspired her to pursue every opportunity available to her. Throughout her time at CSI, Villalva became a passionate advocate for students and their needs. Her work in Student Government—from Elections and Advocacy Commissioner, to Vice President, and now President—focused on expanding access to campus resources, supporting student wellbeing, and ensuring every student felt seen and supported.

Beyond Student Government, Villalva has served as President of the CSI Pre-Law Society and as a Macaulay Ambassador, mentoring prospective students and helping them envision their own futures in higher education. Off campus, she gained extensive public service and legal experience through internships with the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office, the New York State Unified Court System, and State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, where she currently serves as a Community Liaison.

Honorary Degree recipient Laura Kennedy is a distinguished disability-rights advocate, leader, and educator. The parent of a 43-year-old daughter with a developmental disability, throughout her life, she has been a strong advocate for disability rights on behalf of her daughter and many others. She has served on the boards of AHRC New York City, The Arc New York (formerly NYSARC), and The Arc of the United States, and held the position of president at all three organizations.

Kennedy also serves on the board of the Pennhurst Memorial Preservation Alliance, as well as the Friends of the National Museum of Disability History and Culture. She served as the Director of the Early Childhood Direction Center at Staten Island University Hospital for 26 years, where she assisted parents and professionals by providing technical support in the areas of early intervention and special education.

During her tenure as president of The Arc New York, she established the Historical Archives Committee to oversee the organization’s expansive 75-year collection of disability history. After a decade of preservation efforts, The Arc New York gifted the collection to the CSI Archives. She has also been a member of the Willowbrook Mile Committee at the College.

Tomorrow’s Commencement exercises will begin at 9:30am on the campus’ Great Lawn. Logistical information is available on the College’s Commencement Landing Page. Also slated to address the degree candidates are CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, Trustee Michael Arvanites, New York State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton ’11, and the induction of alumni from CSI Alumni Association President Elizabeth Nieto ’19, ’21.