University of California

06/11/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/12/2026 10:32

Meet 6 of UC’s newest graduates from the Class of 2026

This spring, 64,000 undergraduates will earn their degrees at the University of California.

Behind each of those diplomas is a story. Keep reading to meet just a few of UC's stellar graduates.

The Class of 2026 by the numbers

64,000 bachelor's degrees
83% are California residents
67% are graduating debt-free
40% are low-income
36% are among the first in their family to go to college
28% are California Community College transfers

The 15-year-old making history

Clovis Hung. Image: Steve Zylius/UC Irvine

Clovis Hung was 13 - the age of most eighth graders - when he enrolled at UC Irvine. Now 15, he will be the youngest person ever to graduate from the School of Humanities, earning a bachelor's degree in history with a minor in anthropology. Read more.

From a single suitcase to campus leadership

Emilia Vidrenko

Emilia Vidrenko arrived in the U.S. with just one suitcase and no English. "Growing up between Russia and Ukraine taught me how quickly life can change, and how much strength it takes to begin again," she says. She finishes her degree as president of the UC San Diego chapter of BridgeUSA, a youth movement fighting political division. Read more.

Grounded by the night sky

Isabelle "Izzy" Connor. Image: Nick Gonzales/UC Santa Cruz

UC Santa Cruz's first Olympian, gymnast and astrophysicist Isabelle "Izzy" Connor's undergraduate research included a groundbreaking discovery about how energy is transported through space. Watch the video.

A brand-new degree and three job offers

Four years after arriving at UC Merced, first-generation student Eduardo Savala Alvarez graduated with three job offers and is already launching a career at a major construction firm. His story highlights the power of mentorship, leadership and opportunity in the Central Valley. Read more.

A future reclaimed

Charles Long. Image: Brandon Sánchez Mejia/UC Berkeley

After overcoming incarceration and homelessness, Charles Long Jr. came to UC Berkeley determined to reclaim his future. Now the campus's top graduating senior and its 2026 University Medalist, Long has transformed personal hardship into a commitment to justice, mentorship and research. Read more.

A journey of perseverance and pride

Looking back on her college experience at UC Riverside, Faridah Adelotan would give her younger self this advice: "You belong in every space you walk into, so never shrink yourself to fit into someone else's expectations." Watch the video.

University of California published this content on June 11, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 12, 2026 at 16:32 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]