Celebrating the class of 2026

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Four students in caps and gowns walking away on a boardwalk toward the lift bridge

Apr 29, 2026

Highlighting some of CEHSP's 2026 graduates

Commencement is set for May 9. Congratulations to our graduates!

We reached out to students from each department in CEHSP who are graduating to learn more about their experience and plans. We can't wait to see the difference they go on to make in the world!

McKenna Banken

Majors: Human Biology and Psychology

What was your most impactful experience at UMD?

Since beginning my journey at UMD in Fall 2023 as a member of the University Honors Program, I have been continuously challenged to grow both academically and personally. Through this program, I pursued meaningful opportunities such as volunteering at Essentia Health Duluth and completing a capstone project focused on dentophobia.

More importantly, my experiences at UMD introduced me to a community that encouraged me to step into leadership roles I had never previously envisioned. I have served as president of the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, participated in the Student Government Association, worked as a resident advisor, and co-convened the High Impact Practice Undergraduate Research Committee as a student representative.

One of my most impactful accomplishments was organizing and hosting the first-ever UMD Research and Opportunities Expo (ROX), which connected students with on and off-campus research and professional development opportunities.

What do you plan to do with your degree?

With my dual degrees in human biology and psychology, I plan to attend dental school to earn my doctor of dental surgery (DDS). My long-term goal is to establish a dental practice that takes a holistic approach to patient care, with a particular focus on reducing dentophobia, especially in neurodiverse populations.

Additionally, I aspire to pursue a master’s degree in psychology and collaborate closely with mental health professionals to better address the psychological aspects of dental care. By integrating both biological and psychological perspectives, I hope to provide comprehensive, patient-centered treatment that improves both oral health and overall well-being.

Conner Boorman

Major: Social Work

What was your most impactful experience at UMD?

Thinking back through my time at UMD, what stands out to me most is how many opportunities I was given to be involved in community and experience the true meaning of culture. During the spring semester of my sophomore year, I was able to study abroad at University College Dublin, in Ireland. This experience is something that changed me to my core and helped open my eyes to what life is like in a completely different environment and culture.

I hiked the Cliffs of Moher, backpacked with friends through Austria, learned traditional Irish dances (and performed them poorly), and became friends with people from France, Germany, Australia, and England and made some of my most treasured memories. All of this would have been basically impossible for me to do if it were not for UMD and the faculty who guided me along the way.

The time and effort that others have put into helping me become the best version of myself is truly extraordinary, and I believe it speaks to the dedication and quality of this university. I have been changed for the better by my time at UMD, and the skills I have learned both in the classroom and outside of it have (I believe) truly prepared me for my career and the rest of my life.

What do you plan to do with your degree?

Social work, as a degree, I believe, is frequently misunderstood. There is such a wide variety of disciplines and careers that it does a great job of preparing students. At the end of the day, studying social work teaches you to be understanding, empathetic, and responsible and gives you the ability to problem-solve quickly and efficiently.

It also teaches amazing skills when it comes to communication as well as establishing connections and relationships. It is a very generalist field and can be applied to nearly every career choice. I personally want to use these skills and the theories supporting them to go into the macro field, working with policies and legislation. I want to help guide massive social change and be a participant in making our world as great for everyone as it can be, specifically in improving educational systems and promoting the erasure of marginalization.

There are a lot of things wrong in the world right now, and there are a lot of people who feel lost and unsupported. I think this is a disgrace and that something needs to change. That being said, I would love to see myself working at non-profits in a leadership capacity and maybe eventually working with federal and international governments to establish policies rooted in public support and community organization and ensuring we are maximizing the use of finances and social support programs.

Mina Hammer

Master of Arts in Psychological Science

What was your most impactful experience at UMD?

I attended UMD for both my undergraduate and now my graduate degrees, making it difficult to boil my experiences down to a single "most impactful" experience. However, I think the most impactful thing for me has always been the people and communities that make up this school. Throughout my educational career, I have met so many incredible people who I am grateful to call my friends, but even outside of personal connections, UMD has formed a community of helpful and kind people.

When I first toured UMD, one of the first things I noticed was that students were so willing to take the time to help me find my way around campus and tell me about their programs. When applying for graduate school, I reapplied here because of the guidance of Dr. Bob Lloyd, who took the time to meet with me, learn about my research interests, and match me up with Dr. Kyle Mann, who is now my advisor. UMD is a community of caring people, and I aim to carry that forward in my own life every day as a member of that community.

What do you plan to do with your degree?

I don't have a concrete plan right now as I am mainly focusing on finishing up my education, but I would like to use my degree to get a job either in organizational health or data analytics. It will likely take several years of experience before I can nail down a "dream job," but in the meantime, I am excited to learn what it looks like to apply Industrial/Organizational Psychology principles in my future workplaces.

Clara Hayes

Major: Environmental and Outdoor Education

What was your most impactful experience at UMD?

My most impactful experiences at UMD have been the incredibly unique teaching opportunities I've gotten through my classes. Throughout my degree, I've had the opportunity to participate in and then lead overnight trips to the BWCA with my peers. These trips, although short in length, taught me so much about experiential education and human connection in the outdoors and exposed me to a whole new area of the country. I am leaving UMD with a deep appreciation for the beauty and culture of northern Minnesota.

What do you plan to do with your degree?

This upcoming summer, I will be directing an outdoor trips program based out of a summer camp in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I'll be leading staff and campers on week-long trips in the northwoods of Wisconsin, guiding them through overnight canoeing and backpacking trips. I couldn't be more excited to start this role, and I think that what I've learned throughout my degree will help me to thrive in this position. After the summer, I hope to continue my career in the outdoor industry.

Rachel McCaffrey

Master of Social Work

What was your most impactful experience at UMD?

My most impactful experience at UMD is building connections and community with equally passionate people who inspire me. This moment of graduating with my graduate degree in the MSW program is one of my proudest moments. Not only am I a first-generation college student — the only person to ever receive any form of a higher education degree in my family — but I also graduated high school with a 1.9 GPA. My 16-year-old self, who felt lost and unseen, would be incredibly shocked and in awe that we are graduating with a second degree. I am very proud of never giving up on my passion for education and knowledge, and could not have done this without the incredible support of my colleagues and friends who are a part of the UMD Social Work program.

What do you plan to do with your degree?

After graduation, I am going to pursue all forms of social work, starting with focusing on therapeutic practice and focusing on trauma-informed care with children and teens.

College of Education and Human Service Professions

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