Bristol Community College announces Commencement Ceremony, Class of 2026 Valedictorian, Salutatorian and prestigious award recipients

According to a release issued by the college, Bristol Community College will celebrate its 59th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 16, 2026, beginning at 11:00 a.m., under the college’s solar canopies at the Bristol Fall River Campus, 777 Elsbree Street. 
 
At the upcoming in-person ceremony, Bristol will award degrees in Associate in Science, Associate in Arts and Associate in Applied Science. Certificates of achievement will also be awarded. Academic achievement with cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude designations, will additionally be recognized. Graduates from all Bristol Community College locations will attend, including the Attleboro Campus, Fall River Campus, New Bedford Campus, Taunton Center and Online Learning. 
 
The college would like to take this opportunity to announce our prestigious award recipients, including the Class of 2026 Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Distinguished Citizens, and Honorary Degree. 
 
CLASS OF 2026 VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN   
 
This year’s Valedictorian is Elizabeth Anne Pereira, of Acushnet, Mass., Associate in Arts in Business Administration Transfer. The Salutatorian is Elizabeth Dvorsky, of Portsmouth, R.I., Associate in Science in Computer Information Systems (Computer Science Transfer).

After graduating from high school, Elizabeth Anne Pereira made a thoughtful decision to begin her journey at Bristol Community College, giving her the opportunity to explore her interests. This experience helped her gain confidence in her goals, ultimately leading her to pursue a degree in business with a stronger sense of direction and purpose. 

While studying at the college, Elizabeth excelled academically and preferred taking in-person classes to better connect with her fellow students and professors. She credits family, friends, and Bristol’s encouraging college community for supporting her academic journey. 

Elizabeth stayed engaged at Bristol by participating in the college’s chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. After completing a fine arts course at the college, she created an art piece that was selected for Bristol’s Annual Juried Student Art and Design Exhibition. Outside of the college, she enjoys several hobbies including painting, sewing, and baking. 

This Fall, she will be transferring to Bridgewater State University to earn her bachelor’s degree.

Elizabeth Dvorsky enrolled in Bristol Community College upon completing her bachelor’s degree in graphic design and digital media at a four-year institution. While she initially enrolled at Bristol to study web development, Elizabeth became interested in the college’s computer science transfer curriculum and discovered her natural strength in mathematics. 

At Bristol, she served as president of the college’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Club and as a peer tutor at Bristol’s Library Learning Commons. She also participated in the college’s Commonwealth Honors Program, researching the topic of data compression. Outside of the college, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family and cats, and playing the game Dance Dance Revolution. 

She plans to continue her education in a math-intensive, four-year degree program. 

The college is proud to announce the following prestigious award recipients to be honored at Bristol Community College’s 2026 Commencement Ceremony: 

DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN AWARD

The Distinguished Citizen Award is presented annually to an outstanding local citizen or citizens whose character and achievements have enriched the life of the community, or to an individual who has made distinguished contributions in the fields of health, education, business, industry, labor, government or the arts. 

This year, the 2026 Distinguished Citizen Awards will be presented to Robert Mendes Sr. and Steve Pemberton. 

Robert Mendes Sr. has worked for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater New Bedford for 45 years and served as chief executive officer for the past 35 years. Following his graduation from New Bedford High School, Robert attended Bristol Community College and completed the Advanced Leadership Program at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. 
 
He was recognized by the Boys & Girls Club Massachusetts Area Council as the 2024 Chief Executive Officer of the Year and is the past recipient of the Prince Henry Society of Massachusetts Brotherhood Award. He has also served as an honorary parade marshal in the Cape Verdean Recognition Parade. 
 
Robert has served as a volunteer for several organizations, including as chairman of the Greater New Bedford Youth Alliance; vice president and board member of the Fall River Deaconess Home for Girls; a member of the Board of Directors for the Southcoast Health Community Benefits Advisory Council; former vice president of the Board of Directors for New Bedford Child & Family Services; and former president and chairman of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Massachusetts Program Council. 
 
Steve Pemberton is a visionary leader, bestselling author, and lifelong advocate for human dignity whose life story stands as a testament to resilience and the power of purpose. Having survived extraordinary hardship in the foster care system, Steve rose to become a transformational force in the world of human capital — holding senior roles at Monster.com, Walgreens, and Workhuman®, and currently serving as managing director at Seramount. 
 
He is the author of three celebrated books, including A Chance in the World, which was adapted into an independent film, and The Lighthouse Effect, which has inspired audiences from corporate boardrooms to classrooms worldwide. His work has been featured on The Today Show, CBS Evening News, and in People Magazine. 
 
A native son of New Bedford, he is the recipient of more than ten honorary doctorates and the U.S. Congress’s prestigious Horizon Award. Steve’s enduring mission is simple and profound: to ensure that every person, no matter their beginnings, has a chance in the world. 
 
HONORARY DEGREE OF ASSOCIATE IN HUMANE LETTERS 
 
The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education has granted Bristol Community College the right to award honorary associate degrees in humane letters. The college awards these degrees to individuals who illustrate, through a career of intellect and service, the best of Bristol Community College’s vision – to change the world, learner by learner. 
 
This year’s 2026 Honorary Degree recipient is Jean F. MacCormack, Ed.D.

Jean F. MacCormack, Ed.D., is a distinguished leader in higher education. She served as a dean, vice chancellor for administration and finance, deputy chancellor and chancellor at UMass Boston, from 1982 to 1999, and then served for 13 years, from 1999 to 2012, as chancellor of UMass Dartmouth.

She was the galvanizing force behind the establishment and the American Bar Association (ABA) accreditation of the Commonwealth’s first public law school. Dr. MacCormack believes that educational institutions must engage actively with their communities and understands the power of education to transform the lives of individuals and communities. She has worked tirelessly to ensure equitable access to excellent educational opportunities at every level. 

After retiring from UMass, she served as president of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, the chair of the Southcoast Health Board, and as a commissioner on the New England Commission for Higher Education. Her board service includes the Central School Board for the Diocese of Fall River, the Board of Trustees at Bridgewater State University, Bristol County Savings Bank and the Southcoast Advisory Board. 

LAST LECTURE

The Last Lecture is a faculty honor created by the Bristol Community College Student Senate. The award honors one exemplary faculty member who has affected students’ education and their lives in significant ways. 

Emily Brown, coordinator of library research and instruction and adjunct faculty in history, communications, and science, has been selected by students to deliver the Last Lecture at Bristol’s 2026 Commencement Ceremony.

GRAND MARSHAL

Janelle Arruda, retired professor of computer information science, has been honored as the Grand Marshal at Bristol’s 2026 Commencement Ceremony. Continuing Bristol’s tradition of awarding this honor to one of the college’s longest-serving faculty or staff members, she will lead this year’s graduates to the commencement stage. 

For more information about Bristol Community College’s 2026 Commencement Ceremony, please visit www.bristolcc.edu/commencement