Looking Ahead: Strengthening the Future of WesternU Commencement

Dear WesternU Community,

Each year, Commencement represents one of the most meaningful moments in the life of our university. It is the culmination of years of dedication, perseverance, and sacrifice by our students and is a celebration shared by our faculty, staff, alumni, families, and community partners. It is an opportunity for us to honor not only academic achievement, but also the extraordinary mission that unites us as Western University of Health Sciences.

As we look toward future commencement celebrations, I would like to take a moment to express my deepest appreciation to the many individuals whose dedication has made these ceremonies so memorable.

Our sincere gratitude goes to the Commencement Committee, the Academic Events Detail Team, and the numerous faculty, staff, volunteers, and operational teams who devote countless hours before, during, and after each ceremony. Their commitment to excellence, professionalism, and service has allowed WesternU to celebrate our graduates with the dignity and distinction they deserve. The success of our commencement ceremonies is a direct reflection of your tireless efforts, and I am profoundly grateful for all that you do. I also want to acknowledge that your work continues well beyond graduation day as planning for future ceremonies begins almost immediately. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students and our university.

As WesternU continues to grow across both California and Oregon, so too does the scope and complexity of planning commencement. To ensure consistency, operational excellence, and a unified experience for our graduates and their families, we are implementing an enhanced leadership structure for all university commencement activities.

Effective immediately, all Commencement planning, coordination, communications, operational decisions, and university-wide commencement activities for both our California and Oregon campuses will be coordinated through the Office of the President.

To provide centralized leadership and strategic oversight, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jill Ferreira, Senior Vice President, Strategic Chief of Staff, as the University’s executive lead for all Commencement operations. In this role, Dr. Ferreira will serve as the primary point of coordination for all matters related to Commencement and will oversee the planning, administration, and execution of commencement activities across both campuses.

Dr. Ferreira will work in close partnership with our outstanding commencement leadership team, including Dr. Mirabelle Fernandes Paul, Dr. Ivan Noe, and Christy Ho, whose experience, dedication, and institutional knowledge continue to be invaluable to the success of these celebrations. Together, they will lead a collaborative planning process that reflects the excellence, professionalism, and student-centered culture for which WesternU is known.

This structure is designed to strengthen collaboration across colleges and departments, streamline decision-making, enhance communication, and ensure that every commencement ceremony continues to provide an exceptional and memorable experience for our graduates, their loved ones, and our university community.

Commencement is far more than an event—it is a defining institutional tradition and one of the most visible expressions of who we are as a university. By aligning our efforts under a unified leadership model, we are investing in the continued excellence of this cherished celebration while positioning WesternU for future growth.

Thank you for your continued partnership, dedication, and commitment to making Commencement an unforgettable experience for every graduate who walks across our stage. I look forward to working alongside each of you as we continue to build upon this important tradition and celebrate the remarkable achievements of our students for years to come.

With gratitude,
Robin Farias-Eisner, MD, PhD, MBA
WesternU President