Mitchell College Celebrates 82nd Commencement Exercises
President Tracy Y. Espy, Ph.D., conferred degrees to 101 Mitchell College graduates on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in a ceremony celebrating achievement and community.
Richard “Rich” Lisitano, keynote speaker for Mitchell College’s 82nd Commencement Exercises, told the Class of the 2026 that what comes next in their lives is not a straight line.
“You’ve been told to go out and build your career. That’s good advice, but it’s incomplete. Careers aren’t built in straight lines. They’re shaped over time, sometimes moving forward, sometimes pausing, and sometimes taking a step back so you can move in a better direction.”
The soon-to-be-retired president of L+M Healthcare and executive vice president of Yale New Haven Health shared about his own professional journey, starting as a pharmacist and eventually leading hospitals.
“There were moments when I had to reassess, moments where the path wasn’t clear, and moments where what looked like a step back turned out to be the step that made everything possible.”
He urged the graduates to be open to change, willing to grow, and determined to keep moving forward. He also shared life lessons learned as a leader.
“You don’t have to manage people to be a leader,” he said. “Leadership starts with how you treat your classmates, coworkers, supervisors, and customers. It shows up when you listen, when you keep your commitments, and when you step up instead of stepping back.”
He also reminded the graduates that that their reputation is one of their most valuable assets, confidence doesn’t mean having all the answers, and feedback is not a criticism an impetus for growth.
Student Speaker
Student speaker Caleb Cobb ’26, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, said that he found his purpose at Mitchell when he began to step outside of his comfort zone.
“When I first arrived at Mitchell College as a transfer student,” he said, “I thought of myself as a basketball player, who was interested in criminal justice. I really did not have an idea of what I wanted to do after college.”
After getting involved in student life outside of athletics—including working with first-year students, campus facilities, and an internship with the Waterford Police Department—he said he transformed. He acknowledged that his calm demeanor sometimes hid all that he was juggling.
“And standing here today, I can honestly say that perseverance, faith, and community carried me through,” he said.
“Mitchell is not the kind of place where students get lost in the crowd. It is the kind of place where professors learn your name, where people genuinely want to see you succeed, and where someone always seems willing to help you when things are overwhelming.”
Alumni Charge
Alumna Mary Volpe ’19 welcomed the class to the ranks of Mitchell College alumni.
“This isn’t the end of your Mitchell journey,” she said. “Think of today as your launchpad, with a built-in support system ready to offer guidance, inspiration, and maybe even a few recommendations along the way.”
She reminded graduates that Mitchell is not just about the beautiful campus.
“It is about the people—the late-night study sessions, the laughter in the dining hall, the encouragement from faculty and friends. The spirit of community is what defines us, and it doesn’t disappear after graduation…Mitchell, and the greater New London community, will always be part of your story.”
Awards for Academic Achievement
Jaileen Barber ’26, who earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, was named valedictorian with the highest GPA.
Olivia DeCicco ’26 was named salutatorian with the second highest GPA. She earned her bachelor’s degree in marine and environmental science.
