USC Rossier is pleased to announce two distinguished speakers for its upcoming commencement ceremonies who will motivate the next generation of educational leaders. Bettina L. Love will be the keynote speaker at the doctoral hooding ceremony which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 14 at 1:00 p.m., and Reyna Grande will deliver the keynote address for the master’s ceremony on Friday, May 16 at 4:30 p.m.
Both Love and Grande are powerful voices in their respective fields, inspiring change, advocacy and leadership through their work. Love’s groundbreaking work on racial justice in education continues to transform classrooms across the country. Her advocacy for Black children and marginalized communities challenges systemic inequalities and promotes an inclusive, abolitionist approach to education.
Grande’s personal journey from undocumented immigrant to celebrated author has made her an advocate for the immigrant experience. Through her memoirs and novels, she explores themes of identity, family and the pursuit of dreams in the face of difficult odds.
“We are honored to have two distinguished scholars, Reyna Grande and Bettina L. Love, join us as USC Rossier’s 2025 commencement speakers,” said USC Rossier Dean Pedro Noguera. “Both speakers are award winning authors whose work has inspired millions. We selected them because they have had a profound impact on education and social justice, inspiring future leaders to challenge the status quo and advocate for change. Our graduates will no doubt leave this ceremony with a renewed sense of purpose, guided by the messages of resilience, equity and empowerment that Reyna and Bettina bring.”
Bettina L. Love: A Champion for Educational Equity
As the William F. Russell Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University, Professor Love has become a leading voice in the fight for educational justice. Her groundbreaking book Punished for Dreaming examines how school reform harms Black children and offers solutions for healing. This New York Times bestseller earned Love multiple honors, including the Stowe Prize for Literary Activism and the Goddard Riverside Stephan Russo Book Prize for Social Justice.
In 2022, the Kennedy Center named Love one of their Next 50 Leaders, and she received the Black Girl Magic Award at the Lincoln Center in 2024. She is also recognized for founding the “In Her Hands” guaranteed income initiative, which distributed over $13 million to Black women in Georgia. Love’s expertise in abolitionist teaching, anti-racism and educational reparations has made her a sought-after speaker, with her work featured on NPR, PBS and in The Guardian.
Reyna Grande: A Voice of Resilience and Empowerment
Acclaimed author and advocate for undocumented immigrant communities, Grande’s memoirs The Distance Between Us and A Dream Called Home shed light on the struggles of childhood immigration from Mexico to the United States. Resonating deeply with readers across the country, her work explores themes of family separation, language trauma and the pursuit of the American dream.
Recognized with numerous accolades, including the American Book Award and the International Latino Book Award, Grande’s impact extends beyond literature. She is a mentor, educator and a proud member of the Macondo Writers Workshop and currently serves as faculty at Antioch University and Randolph College.
For USC Commencement information and livestreams of the USC Rossier ceremonies, please visit: https://commencement.usc.edu/
Pedro Noguera
- Distinguished Professor of Education
- Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean
