{"id":42167,"date":"2026-04-27T14:56:49","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T18:56:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/?p=42167"},"modified":"2026-05-04T08:42:03","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T12:42:03","slug":"meet-the-spring-2026-student-commencement-speakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/2026\/04\/meet-the-spring-2026-student-commencement-speakers\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Spring 2026 Student Commencement Speakers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

Isis Stamm and Ana Cubas-Baez have followed distinct paths through the College of Natural Resources, one shaped by college athletics and the other by global forest research, but both are graduating with a shared commitment to applying their experiences toward meaningful impact beyond the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stamm and Cubas-Baez will take the stage at the college\u2019s spring 2026 commencement ceremony on Friday, May 8 to share reflections on their experiences, the lessons they have carried forward and the impact they hope to make in their respective fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each semester, the college selects two students to speak at commencement for their academic achievements, community service and ability to inspire. Stamm and Cubas-Baez earned this honor through their exceptional contributions, both inside and outside the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stamm, who is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in sport management, will address the college’s undergraduate students. Cubas-Baez, who is graduating with a Ph.D. in forestry and environmental resources, will address graduate students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both students carry forward experiences that have prepared them for what comes next. The following stories highlight their journeys, the insights they have gained along the way and the directions they hope to pursue after graduation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isis Stamm <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Isis<\/a>
Isis Stamm sits on brick steps in front of the Court of Carolina on NC State\u2019s campus, wearing her graduation stole and holding her graduation cap. Photo by Katherine Griffey\/NC State University<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Stamm\u2019s time at NC State reflects a period of growth and refinement, as she discovered how her academic interests and long-standing connection to sports could come together to shape a clear direction for her future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stamm has engaged in a range of experiences spanning athletic settings, student involvement and service opportunities, each contributing to a developing understanding of teamwork, leadership and professional readiness within the sports industry.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n
\n \n Read more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Ana Cubas-Baez<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Ana<\/a>
Ana Cubas Baez poses in her graduation cap and gown in front of a brick building on NC State\u2019s campus. Photo by Katherine Griffey\/NC State University<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A native of Asunci\u00f3n, Paraguay, Cubas-Baez\u2019s journey to NC State reflects a transition from professional work into advanced academic study as a Fulbright scholar, a shift that deepened her focus on forest systems and global environmental challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cubas-Baez has contributed to research and collaborative work spanning complex forest landscapes and international perspectives, each experience contributing to a developing expertise in forest science and a broader understanding of sustainability and long-term environmental stewardship.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n
\n \n Read more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n <\/div>\n","protected":false,"raw":"\n\n\n\n\n

Isis Stamm and Ana Cubas-Baez have followed distinct paths through the College of Natural Resources, one shaped by college athletics and the other by global forest research, but both are graduating with a shared commitment to applying their experiences toward meaningful impact beyond the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stamm and Cubas-Baez will take the stage at the college\u2019s spring 2026 commencement ceremony on Friday, May 8 to share reflections on their experiences, the lessons they have carried forward and the impact they hope to make in their respective fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each semester, the college selects two students to speak at commencement for their academic achievements, community service and ability to inspire. Stamm and Cubas-Baez earned this honor through their exceptional contributions, both inside and outside the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stamm, who is graduating with a bachelor's degree in sport management, will address the college's undergraduate students. Cubas-Baez, who is graduating with a Ph.D. in forestry and environmental resources, will address graduate students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both students carry forward experiences that have prepared them for what comes next. The following stories highlight their journeys, the insights they have gained along the way and the directions they hope to pursue after graduation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isis Stamm <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Isis<\/a>
Isis Stamm sits on brick steps in front of the Court of Carolina on NC State\u2019s campus, wearing her graduation stole and holding her graduation cap. Photo by Katherine Griffey\/NC State University<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Stamm\u2019s time at NC State reflects a period of growth and refinement, as she discovered how her academic interests and long-standing connection to sports could come together to shape a clear direction for her future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stamm has engaged in a range of experiences spanning athletic settings, student involvement and service opportunities, each contributing to a developing understanding of teamwork, leadership and professional readiness within the sports industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Ana Cubas-Baez<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Ana<\/a>
Ana Cubas Baez poses in her graduation cap and gown in front of a brick building on NC State\u2019s campus. Photo by Katherine Griffey\/NC State University<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A native of Asunci\u00f3n, Paraguay, Cubas-Baez\u2019s journey to NC State reflects a transition from professional work into advanced academic study as a Fulbright scholar, a shift that deepened her focus on forest systems and global environmental challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cubas-Baez has contributed to research and collaborative work spanning complex forest landscapes and international perspectives, each experience contributing to a developing expertise in forest science and a broader understanding of sustainability and long-term environmental stewardship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Isis Stamm and Ana Cubas Baez reflect on their unique paths through the College of Natural Resources as they prepare to speak at the spring 2026 commencement ceremony.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":136,"featured_media":42180,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"views\/single-immersive.blade.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"","ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"ncst\/default-immersive-post-header","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"{\"backgroundColor\":\"custombg_two\",\"caption\":\"Isis Stamm will serve as one of two student speakers addressing classmates and other attendees at the College of Natural Resources\u2019 spring 2026 commencement ceremony. Photo by Katherine Griffey, NC State University\",\"displayCategoryID\":189,\"showAuthor\":true,\"showDate\":true,\"showFeaturedVideo\":false,\"subtitle\":\"Isis Stamm and Ana Cubas-Baez reflect on their unique paths through the College of Natural Resources.\",\"titleColor\":\"custombg_one\"}","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1,102,189],"tags":[362,89,32,42,47,84],"_ncst_magazine_issue":[],"class_list":["post-42167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hidden-news","category-hidden-newswire","category-student-success","tag-forestry-and-environmental-resources","tag-graduate-programs","tag-graduation","tag-parks-recreation-and-tourism-management","tag-sport-management","tag-student-profile"],"displayCategory":{"term_id":189,"name":"Student Success","slug":"student-success","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":189,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Connect with the students who call the College of Natural Resources their home away from home. From forestry to sports management, our graduates strive to take their learning beyond the classroom and apply it in ways that will enhance local communities and their environment.","parent":0,"count":222,"filter":"raw"},"acf":{"ncst_posts_meta_modified_date":null},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42167","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/136"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42167"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42167\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42270,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42167\/revisions\/42270"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42180"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42167"},{"taxonomy":"_ncst_magazine_issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/_ncst_magazine_issue?post=42167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}