Baruch College Announces Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Baruch College Announces Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian

May 12, 2026

Baruch College named Farah Haq and Kylie Jones, respectively, as the Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the Class of 2026.

Both students were honored for their academic achievement, leadership in community engagement, and communication skills.

Haq will deliver the valedictory address at Baruch's Commencement Ceremony on June 1 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Jones will be the featured speaker at the College's Student Achievement Awards taking place on May 14.

Farah Haq: Driven by a Passion for Justice

Valedictorian Farah Haq is graduating as a Provost Scholar Honors student with a BBA in marketing and a minor in political science. As a Bengali immigrant and first-generation college student, Haq understood early on that access to legal and professional resources is not equally distributed and set out to change that.

Throughout her time at Baruch, she took on leadership roles centered on expanding access to professional, legal, and civic opportunities for students. Her involvement included co-president of the Pre-Law Society, the Honors Student Council, and publisher and social media manager for the Baruch Undergraduate Law Review, where she designed and launched its first full online publication. She also served as a Peer Coach at the Starr Career Development Center and received the Li-Auyeung Award through Peers for Careers in recognition of her contributions.

"Getting involved early and staying consistent with it made my time at Baruch a success," Haq said. "Since my sophomore year, I have been working about 20 hours a week, even during breaks and holidays, which made me more intentional with how I spent my time. My leadership roles allowed me to build community and create opportunities for others, which was very meaningful."

Haq's work experience includes a role at Hunter College's Office of Admissions and an internship with MABD Consulting through the CUNY Spring Forward program, underscoring her deep commitment to the CUNY community.

As an Honors student, she gained firsthand legal experience through the Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program, working within the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Following graduation, Haq will join Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP as a business services assistant, where she plans to build hands-on legal experience before attending law school.

Haq aspires to pursue a career in corporate law, excited by the intersection of policy, commerce, and innovation, and hopes to advance pro bono efforts that support underserved communities.

"Being named the Class of 2026 Valedictorian is an incredible honor that I am truly humbled to receive," Haq explained. "It feels like a reflection of all the consistency and effort I have put in over the past four years. There were many long days balancing classes, work, and leadership roles, and this recognition makes those moments feel worth it. More than anything, I am proud to represent a class of students who are incredibly bright, driven, and poised to make a meaningful impact in the world."

Kylie Jones: Preparing for a Career in Law

Salutatorian Kylie Jones is graduating with a BA in political science and a minor in history.

"As a first-generation college student and American, there were many moments where I had to navigate unfamiliar spaces and figure things out on my own, and this accomplishment represents not only academic success, but also resilience and perseverance," explained Jones.

She added, "In the face of adversity, pressure, and sometimes uncertainty, I remained committed to my goals and continued striving for excellence. Hearing about this honor felt like a reflection of every sacrifice, late nights, and challenges that brought me to this moment."

During her time at Baruch, Jones has distinguished herself through a combination of academic excellence, work experience, and meaningful campus involvement. She serves as secretary of the Baruch Speech and Debate Team, and was an outreach coordinator and online editor for the Baruch Undergraduate Law Review, marketing chair for Baruch Legal Brigades, and committee member for the Undergraduate Student Government.

Her leadership is reflected in a role outside of Baruch, president of Lambda Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where she manages chapter operations, oversees internal coordination, and ensures the execution of impactful programming. She contributed to signature programs supporting Harlem youth, victims of domestic violence, and a breast cancer awareness initiative.

Jones has gained a variety of work experience, including serving as a judicial intern with the New York Civil Supreme Court and as a legal intern with the New York City Department of Probation. She was also selected as a Max Berger Pre-Law Fellow and served as a peer mentor for Success Amplified.

Her commitment to service is demonstrated by working as a Reading Partners tutor and as an ambassador with the non-profit Empower Her Rise, Inc., where she helps empower young women through mentorship, community engagement, and advocacy. She has received numerous honors, including the Ina Plotsky Kupferberg Memorial Award, the Transit Scholar Award, and multiple Dean's List distinctions.

Following graduation, Jones will continue studying for the LSAT and apply for the next law school admissions cycle.

"I have always had a strong desire to serve my community and advocate for individuals whose voices are often overlooked," Jones said. "My long-term goal is to use the law as a tool to create meaningful change, support families, and help others navigate systems that can often feel overwhelming or inaccessible."

Watch 2026 Commencement Ceremony

Baruch's 2026 Commencement begins at 9 am, and will be livestreamed on the College's YouTube channel and Baruch website. See the celebratory event as graduates join a global network of more than 180,000 alumni from around the world.