Commencement 2024

CIIS' 57th Commencement Livestream

Congratulations to our Class of 2025!
We're thrilled to welcome you to the livestream of the 2025 CIIS Commencement Ceremony as we celebrate the incredible achievements of our graduates and the bright paths ahead of them.

CIIS is the university for radically curious and committed individuals who are seeking meaningful growth, academic rigor, innovative research, and collaborative community in the service of creating transformative experiences that benefit self, society, and the Earth.

Whether you're joining us from near or far, thank you for being part of this special day.

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Commencement 2025 Livestream Card

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About the Speakers and Performers

This year’s ceremony is a special return to our roots and a true reflection of the strength of our community coming together on a joyful day. Every speaker and performer on stage this year is a member of the CIIS faculty, staff, or student community.

Announcing the Processional

  • Danielle Drake, Ph.D.
    Dean of Faculty Development, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Associate Professor
  • Seraphin Shmee Giarratana
    Director of Student Success and International Student Advisor

Invocation and Welcome Speaker 

  • Annette Williams, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor and Chair of the Women’s Spirituality department

Opening Remarks

  • S. Brock Blomberg, Ph.D.
    President

Presentation of Faculty Emeriti

  • Kathy Littles, Ph.D.
    Provost

Commencement Address Speaker 

  • Shoshana Simons, Ph.D., RDT
    Professor and former Program Chair of the M.A. in Counseling Psychology, Expressive Arts Concentration

Graduating Student Speakers 

  • Dominic Bucci
    Graduate of the B.S. in Psychology and incoming student in the East-West Psychology Joint MFA program
  • Marissa Huang
    Graduate of the M.A. in Counseling Psychology, Integral Counseling Psychology Concentration

Performers 

  • Rachel Lastimosa
    Graduate of the M.A. in Counseling Psychology, Expressive Arts Therapy Concentration
  • Sangeeta Swamy, Ph.D., LCMHC, MT-BC
    Associate Professor and Co-Chair of the Integral Psychology Counseling program
  • Willow Pearson Trimbach, Psy.D., LMFT, MT-BC
    Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Clinical Psychology department

Presentation of Degrees

  • Danielle Drake, Ph.D.
    Dean of Faculty Development, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Associate Professor
  • Seraphin Shmee Giarratana
    Director of Student Success and International Student Advisor
  • Weiqi Zhang
    Program Manager of the Masters of Applied Psychology program

Alumni Welcome and Closing Benediction Speaker 

  • Kris Brandenburger, Ph.D.
    Executive Dean of Institutional Research, Innovation, and Strategy and Accreditation Liaison Officer

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Instagram: @ciis_sf
Facebook: @ciissf

CIIS Alumni Association

The CIIS Alumni Association looks forward to welcoming you! We are thrilled to have the chance to celebrate this special time. Take a moment to see the benefits and career support available to you as a CIIS alum.

Visit the Alumni Relations page

2025 Commencement Program Cover

Commencement Program

CIIS' 2025 commencement ceremony is held at A.C.T.'s Toni Rembe Theater in San Francisco from 1-3 p.m. PDT.