Commencement 2026

Congratulations to the Westcliff University Class of 2026!

Watch the live recording of the ceremony below or view the photo gallery!

Ceremony Information

Location

Costa Mesa, CA

Ceremony Time

2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (PDT)

Mandatory Graduate Check-in Time

11:00 AM PDT

General Event Info

Livestream Info

TBD

Items not allowed:

• No confetti
• NO blow horns
• No silly string
• No beach balls
• No party poppers
• No metal water bottles
• No electronics or recording devices

Student Info

Graduate Parking

Plaza Tower Parking Structure
$15 per vehicle

RSVP

Students will receive an invitation via email if eligible to graduate.

Graduates are given up to 2 tickets to share with guests.

• 2 tickets for guests (not including graduate)
• Additional tickets may be requested, but are not guaranteed.

Arrival Time

11:00 AM PDT (DO NOT BE LATE)

What to Wear

Professional/Business Casual Attire

Regalia

Deadline to order regalia is April 17, 2026 (Receipt must be uploaded to RSVP)

Order from Jostens

Deadline to Clear Student Accounts

April 17, 2026

Info for Guests

Arrival Time

1pm Doors Open

Guest Parking

Center Tower Parking Structure or Park Center Parking Structure
$15 per vehicle

Travel & Hotel Information

Please review Guidelines & FAQs

Resources / Assistance

Contact info for commencement-specific questions
commencement@westcliff.edu

Questions about clearing student accounts:
studentaccounts@westcliff.edu

Graduate Student Speaker: Kaushik Tilve

Kaushik Tilve is a proud member of Westcliff University’s graduating Class of 2026, earning his Doctor of Business Administration this year after a journey that brought him from Mumbai, India to Salt Lake City, Utah. His experience as a Westcliff student shapes the perspective he brings to the commencement stage, offering the Class of 2026 a voice that understands firsthand what this milestone represents.

Professionally, Tilve leads global customer care operations, product engineering and cross-functional technology teams at Cricut, a creative technology company. His role draws on his background in electrical engineering from Clemson University and electronics engineering from the University of Mumbai. His doctoral research explored transformational leadership and its impact on employee engagement and motivation, reflecting a career built around helping teams and individuals reach their full potential.

— Kaushik Tilve, Graduate Student Speaker, Westcliff University 2026 Commencement

Graduate Student Speaker: Dr. Abeerah Waqar

Westcliff University is proud to recognize Dr. Abeerah Waqar as a student speaker for the 2026 Commencement Ceremony. A distinguished civil servant, researcher, and advocate for innovation in public sector governance, Dr. Waqar brings more than 15 years of leadership experience in Pakistan’s audit and accounts service, where she currently serves as director of international relations and coordination at the Office of the Auditor General of Pakistan.

Throughout her career, Dr. Waqar has championed the use of emerging technologies to strengthen accountability, transparency, and public trust. Her work has helped advance AI-driven governance systems, audit automation, and data-informed decision-making across the public sector, while her dedication to training and mentorship has empowered fellow professionals to embrace the future of auditing and public administration.

As a 2026 graduate of Westcliff University’s Doctor of Business Administration program in business intelligence and data analytics, graduating Summa Cum Laude, Dr. Waqar exemplifies the transformative power of education, innovation, and service. Her commencement address will reflect a journey defined by academic excellence, global leadership, and a commitment to creating meaningful impact through technology and public service.

— Dr. Abeerah Waqar, Graduate Student Speaker, Westcliff University 2026 Commencement

Commencement Speaker: Maria Toyoda

Westcliff University is proud to welcome Maria Toyoda as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Commencement ceremony.

As President and CEO of the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the accrediting body that upholds Westcliff’s academic standards, Toyoda brings a perspective few speakers can offer. Her career has been dedicated to ensuring that a university degree delivers on its promise with rigor, relevance and real-world impact.

With nearly three decades of experience spanning academic leadership, global policy and institutional strategy, Toyoda has held roles at Stanford, Villanova and Western New England University and served as a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. She has spent her career ensuring that a university degree reflects the real demands of the world students are stepping into.

— Maria Toyoda, Keynote Speaker, Westcliff University 2026 Commencement

Commencement Speaker: Representative Dave Min

Representative Dave Min serves California’s 47th Congressional District in Orange County and brings a diverse background in public service, education, and law. Prior to serving in Congress, Min was a California state senator, a professor of business law at UC Irvine, and an enforcement attorney with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Law School, he is recognized for his commitment to community impact, public service, and long-term leadership. As a commencement speaker, Min will share insights from a career dedicated to serving others and building a stronger future for generations to come.

— Representative Dave Min, Speaker, Westcliff University 2026 Commencement

Commencement Speaker: Arabian Prince

Arabian Prince is a pioneering entrepreneur, technologist, philanthropist, and founding member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted group N.W.A. While his influence helped shape the future of hip-hop, his career has expanded far beyond music into technology, gaming, animation, venture capital, and STEM education. Through initiatives such as Open Labs and his leadership in youth robotics and technology programs, Arabian Prince has dedicated himself to creating opportunities for future innovators. Westcliff University is honored to welcome Arabian Prince as a distinguished guest and speaker at the 2026 Commencement Ceremony, where he will inspire graduates and present the Arabian Prince Commitment to Community Scholarship, recognizing students who exemplify service, leadership, and positive community impact.

— Arabian Prince, Speaker, Westcliff University 2026 Commencement

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