At the Fall Graduate Commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Dale F. Halton Arena, degrees were conferred to doctoral, master’s and certificate students. The 10 a.m. commencement was one of three ceremonies hosted by the University.
Degrees conferred included over 100 doctoral, 850 master’s and 200 graduate certificates.
During the week leading up to commencement, the Graduate School held the Dean’s Doctoral Celebration on the evening of Thursday, Dec. 14. The event recognized the impressive work of graduating doctoral students and the support provided by their advisors. The event was hosted by Pinku Mukherjee, interim associate provost and dean of the Graduate School.
Celebrating Fall Commencement Graduates
Denise Wynn
Doctorate in Business Administration
Belk College of Business
Years ago, Denise Wynn knew she wanted to earn a doctoral degree. Yet, with bills to pay and a demanding life tugging at her time and energy, she set the idea aside. Two decades later, she is adding the long-desired "Dr." to her name.
Marisa Grimmius, Graduate Admissions Ambassador
M.A. in Counseling
Cato College of Education
Grimmius plans to continue work in private practice at her internship site, Miracles Counseling.
Why did you choose UNC Charlotte?
I chose UNC Charlotte because the counseling program is CACREP accredited, which ensures that the program is high quality and meets all of the requirements needed to pass licensure examinations and to become a competent counselor. I also chose it because of its focus on multiculturalism, which is important to me.
Mehdi Bourahia
M.S. in Computer Science
College of Computing & Informatics
Set to graduate with a master’s in computer science with a concentration in artificial intelligence, Mehdi Bourahia isn’t just representing UNC Charlotte and Niner Nation, but his home country and continent.
Richard Stern
M.S. in Data Science & Business Analytics
School of Data Science
Richard Stern, a native of Johannesburg, South Africa, now calls Charlotte home. A senior data scientist with TIAA, Stern said a prior job sparked his interest in data science.
Toni Mason, Commencement Speaker
M.A. in Counseling
Cato College of Education
Commencement speaker Toni Mason will start work as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate at Southlake Counseling Center.
Why did you choose UNC Charlotte?
When I interviewed to get into the program, I was so impressed with the professors I spoke with and how much their passion for teaching shone through in the way they spoke about their work and students. I knew I wanted to learn from people who appeared to care so deeply about their field and the quality of education they were providing to their students.
Cassidy James
M.A. in Teaching - Secondary Education
Cato College of Education
Curiosity and opportunity propelled first-year social studies teacher Cassidy James to a master’s degree.
Jayesh Jain
M.S. in Mathematical Finance
Belk College of Business
Bell ringer Jayesh Jain performed the longstanding tradition of ringing the Charlotte “victory bell”.
During his time at Charlotte, Jain joined various programs inside and outside the University. He participated in TRUIST Bank’s Immersive Learning Experience, was a graduate research and teaching assistant, and is the equities portfolio head for Charlotte’s Investment Club.
Heather Johnston
MBA
Belk College of Business
After serving in the Peace Corps, teaching and serving as an interpreter, Heather Johnston pursued an MBA to enable a new entrepreneurial business career that draws on her background and new skills.