Island University Spring 2023 Commencement to be held May 20; Dr. Tito Guerrero Tapped as Guest Speaker

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will hold its Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 20, at the American Bank Center in downtown Corpus Christi. More than 1,270 Islanders representing the university’s six academic colleges will earn degrees this spring. The ceremony times are as follows:

10 a.m.

• College of Education and Human Development
• College of Engineering
• College of Liberal Arts

2 p.m.

• College of Business
• College of Nursing and Health Sciences
• College of Science

This year’s commencement speaker is Dr. Tito Guerrero, former TAMU-CC Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Guerrero previously served Texas A&M-Corpus Christi for 21 years; he worked as an Assistant Professor in the College of Education for 15 years before earning the title of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Guerrero said he is humbled, honored, and excited to have been chosen as this semester’s commencement speaker.

“There are so many individuals who have contributed to the transformation of this institution,” Guerrero said. “Knowing that, I am all the more honored to have the opportunity to speak to the next class of Islander alumni. I truly believe they will play an important role in making this world a better place.”

Guerrero currently serves as the Director of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo. There, he works with vice presidents and other senior leaders to prepare them for executive roles at higher education institutions, specifically Hispanic Serving Institutions.

“When one focuses on the ‘serving’ part of a Hispanic-Serving Institution, in effect, one focuses on the betterment of the learning experience for all students,” Guerrero said. 

Guerrero earned his Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Biology at Texas A&M University, his Master of Education from the University of North Texas, and his Doctorate in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University. He has since been recognized by the Harvard Graduate School of Education as one of the first people of Hispanic descent to hold a college president role in the United States.

Guerrero said he hopes to share a message of perseverance, hard work, and gratitude with Islander graduates.  

“None of us gets to where we are alone,” Guerrero said. “I recommend taking the time to express appreciation to one’s colleagues, friends, and family, as all will play a part in whatever success an individual is able to achieve in life.”

The ceremonies will also include the six following Outstanding Islander Graduates who have been selected by the TAMU-CC Office of the Provost for their individual achievements. These graduates include:

• Omar Arizpe – College of Education and Human Development
• Amy Ayala – College of Engineering
• Maria Beltran – College of Business
• Lindsey Castillo – College of Nursing and Health Sciences
• Ricardo Longoria – College of Liberal Arts
• Ally Wilkins – College of Science

Both ceremonies are free and open to the public and do not require tickets upon entrance. Seating for guests is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and arena doors will open one hour prior to each ceremony.

For those who are unable to attend, both ceremonies will be livestreamed at tamucc.edu. For more information, visit tamucc.edu/commencement.