Date, Time, Location, and Day of Details
Date: Monday, May 18th
Ceremony Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Titan Stadium Line-up time: Students must be lined up by 5:00 PM
Line-up location: E7 West Campus Drive (formerly Lot A South)
Map for parking, student line up & ceremony
Ceremony Speakers
Auditions are NOW closed for the 2026 Commencement speaker and vocalist.
Distinguished Faculty Marshal - Dr. Calli Lewis Chiu
Dr. Lewis Chiu is a faculty member in the Department of Special Education and serves as the founding Director of Urban Learning. She joined the faculty at California State University, Fullerton in 2018 and earned her Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of North Texas, with a specialization in Emotional and Behavioral Disorders.
Since joining CSUF, Dr. Lewis Chiu has exceeded the level of excellence defined by departmental standards across teaching, scholarship, and service. Most notably, she co-created, championed, and continues to lead the Urban Learning major, a transformative undergraduate program that fundamentally changes the College of Education. As the College's first undergraduate degree, Urban Learning represents a historic milestone, expanding access, strengthening enrollment pipelines, and positioning the College as a leader in preparing equity-minded educators for complex, urban, and community-based educational contexts. The development and launch of this program required sustained vision, curricular innovation, cross-campus collaboration, and long-term leadership work that will shape the College of Education for decades to come.
Dr. Lewis Chiu’s teaching record is both extensive and exemplary. She has taught a wide range of undergraduate, credential, and graduate-level special education courses and has led professional development for new faculty. Her courses include Pedagogy for an Equitable Classroom, Positive Behavior Supports, and Exceptional Individual. In addition, she has supervised student teachers, coordinated field experiences, and directed master’s projects. Across all instructional settings, her teaching is grounded in culturally responsive practices and the principles of Just, Equitable, and Inclusive Education (JEIE), preparing future educators to meet the academic and behavioral needs of diverse learners with competence and care.
Dr. Lewis Chiu is also a highly productive and impactful scholar. She has authored more than 20 scholarly publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, and is a co-author of a practitioner book focused on increasing academic engagement and reducing challenging behaviors through culturally responsive, research-based practices. Her work has been published in well-respected journals in special education and teacher education and has been presented at numerous national and international conferences, including the Council for Exceptional Children and the American Educational Research Association. Her scholarship consistently bridges theory and practice, translating research into meaningful strategies that directly inform educator preparation and school-based practice. Her research focuses on ensuring students with disabilities from diverse backgrounds are meaningfully included in academic settings.
Her service to the College of Education, the University, and the broader community is extensive and sustained. In addition to directing Urban Learning throughout its development and implementation, Dr. Lewis Chiu has served as chair of her department and on numerous college and university committees, advisory boards, and professional organizations. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to institutional improvement, community engagement, and student success, all grounded in JEIE values.
Dr. Lewis Chiu has demonstrated an extraordinary and sustained record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.
Gradfest 2026
Grad Fest 2026 has now completed. If you were not able to attend Grad Fest, you can purchase regalia by visiting the Titan Shops website.
Be sure to review the Regalia requirements section before purchasing!
Regalia requirements
- Caps and gowns are mandatory for the College of Education Commencement & Credential Ceremony and will be available for purchase at the Titan Shops.
- Master's students will wear their hoods when crossing the stage, and Ed.D. students will be hooded during the ceremony.
- Comfortable shoes are highly recommended as there will be considerable walking, and the graduate and guest chairs will be on a lawn.
Regalia Attire:
- Credential: CSUF's bachelor's gown & mortarboard.
- Masters: CSUF's Master's gown, hood, tassel, and mortarboard.
- Ed.D.: CSUF's Doctoral gown (with velvet) and tam. Spring 2026 orders for Ed.D. regalia are due on March 20, 2026.
Tassel Color:
- Credential: none
- Instructional Design and Technology: purple
- All other programs: light blue
Commencement Registration (Required)
You MUST register for the Commencement ceremony to participate. This is separate from applying for a Grad Check. (Credential-only candidates do not apply for a Grad Check.)
Registration for the commencement ceremony opens on April 1, 2026. Instructions on how to register will be sent to you. Watch your CSUF email account for details, which will come from [email protected].
Before registering to participate, graduate and Ed.D. students must have completed and paid for their grad check, and credential candidates must have paid the Credential Ceremony Fee. Fee Information for Commencement
Guest Tickets
Each student will be allocated 8 guest tickets. More information on accessing your guest tickets will be available during registration.
If you need more than 8 tickets, we encourage you to reach out to your classmates, as tickets are transferable. Not all students use all 8 tickets. Additional tickets will not be available from the college or university.
Ticket Information for Commencement
Security Guidelines
- All students and guests will enter through a security checkpoint and a metal detector.
- Students participating in the ceremony will not have a place to leave personal items; they should leave them with their guests. Students will not be allowed to bring any bags to the ceremony.
- Only clear bags will be allowed in the venue for guests.
Bag Policy & Security
Commencement Receptions
Individual departments will communicate with students if they plan to host a reception.
Parking
Parking, ADA Parking & ADA Shuttle
Accommodation for People with Disabilities
ADA Accommodations
College of Education Commencement contacts
Heather Terry - Anthony Tellez - Reem Osman
