Meet the Spring 2026 commencement speakers

As Boise State celebrates its spring commencement on May 8 and 9, faculty and university leaders have selected four student speakers to represent the spring 2026 graduating class.

Samantha Lords, Graduate College

Samantha Lords will represent the Graduate College
at the 3:00 p.m. Friday ceremony.

Samantha Lords leaves Boise State with a Master of Arts in counseling focused on addiction treatment. Lords has maintained a 3.93 GPA while completing the program, earning a reputation among faculty and peers as a steady, thoughtful presence in the classroom. She is known for her preparation and for the way she supports others in often challenging, discussion-based courses.

In a nomination letter, Associate Professor Raissa Miller described Lords as "the ideal of what we hope for in a graduate student and a soon-to-be graduate entering the Idaho workforce. She has not only endured but excelled in a rigorous 60-credit, three-year master's program. She is entering a high-demand field and will serve populations that align closely with Boise State's Healthy Idaho initiatives."

Through counseling internships, Lords worked with people navigating addiction, trauma, anxiety and major life transitions. She has also worked as a behavioral interventionist, supporting children with developmental disabilities in school and community settings. She has contributed to research and nonprofit efforts focused on youth and trauma.

Lords has taken on leadership roles within Chi Sigma Iota, the international counseling honor society, helping organize events that build community. She claims Frisco, Texas, as her hometown. She earned her undergraduate degree in sociology from Brigham Young University-Idaho, graduating magna cum laude.

Diana Colis, College of Arts and Sciences

Diana Colis will represent the College of Arts and Sciences
at the 9 a.m. Saturday ceremony.

Diana Colis, a sociology major with a business minor, spent her years at Boise State as a dedicated advocate for her peers and the broader community. A consistent high achiever, Colis frequently earned placement on the dean's list with honors. While she was succeeding, she cared deeply for others, helping them find their place on campus in her roles as an orientation leader and peer navigator. In these capacities, Colis, who is from Shoshone, Idaho, guided over 3,000 incoming students, using her bilingual skills in English and Spanish to help first-generation students and their families feel welcome and supported.

As a resident assistant in Chaffee Hall, Colis built an inclusive community, helping students work through conflicts and responding to emergencies with grace and poise. Anujay Chopra, new student programs coordinator who recommended Colis as a commencement speaker, described her as a "vessel" for first-generation support who leads with integrity and possesses an engaging presence that "can move a mountain."

Colis applied her studies to the legal field as an interpreter and legal intern for the immigration clinic at the University of Idaho Law School. She provided vital translation services for clients navigating complex legal systems.

"Her story and perspective will offer graduates a message grounded in community, purpose and representation, one that reflects the spirit and values of Boise State University," Chopra said.

Natalie Ayala, College of Engineering

Natalie Ayala will represent the College of Engineering
at the 1:30 p.m. Saturday ceremony.

Ayala has served in leadership roles within the engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi, the Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Student Advisory Board, and the Engineering Innovation Studio, Boise State's engineering prototyping facility, where she supported over 450 students as they learned safe fabrication techniques.

According to Krishna Pakala, associate professor and associate chair in the Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Ayala remains humble and collaborative despite her extraordinary individual accomplishments.

"She celebrates the achievements of her peers, supports students who are struggling, and continually looks for ways to contribute beyond her own academic pursuits," Pakala said. "Her leadership style reflects empathy, encouragement, and the belief that success is most meaningful when it is shared."

Isaac Celedon, School of Public Service

Isaac Celedon will represent the School of Public Service at the 6 p.m. Saturday ceremony.

Isaac Celedon of Boise, Idaho has served as Boise State's student body president since 2024. Graduating with a degree in economics and political science, as well as a minor in legal studies and a certificate in human rights, Celedon looks forward to pursuing a career in public service.

Celedon's involvement with the School of Public Service helped shape his early interest in leadership and service, laying the foundation for his broader engagement on campus. His involvement spanned a variety of organizations including the Boise State Pre-Law Society, the Economics Association and the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity. Through the Spirit Squad, Celedon engaged with thousands of community members as Boise State's mascot, Buster Bronco. However, Celedon is most proud of his roles as the Frank Church Institute High School Model United Nations Director - where he oversaw a statewide high school model United Nations program with over 200 participants - and as ASBSU's student body president.

Since Celedon was first elected ASBSU president, he has led a range of strategic initiatives to improve the student experience. He has regularly collaborated with university leadership, represented student interests to external stakeholders including state legislators and the Idaho State Board of Education, and led initiatives that expanded student resources, increased funding opportunities, and strengthened campus-wide engagement.

"Isaac genuinely enjoys serving the public and finding ways to assist people," said Christian Wuthrich, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students. "He also excels in guiding groups through important policy adoption work and other decisions. Isaac does his work in a genuine and caring way, while not losing sight of the overall goal or charge."

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