Rutgers–Camden to Welcome Esteemed Lineup of Speakers for 2025 Commencement Week
Rutgers University–Camden's 2025 Commencement Week will feature five commencement and convocation ceremonies across three days, celebrating graduates campuswide and from each of the university's four schools. This year's lineup of keynote speakers is headlined by Mickalene Thomas, an internationally renowned visual artist and Camden native named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People.
The full lineup of keynote speakers includes five of the Delaware Valley's most dynamic leaders, including two Rutgers alumni.
Rutgers University–Camden Commencement
Mickalene Thomas
Award-Winning Multidisciplinary Artist
Mickalene Thomas is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist renowned for her vibrant, rhinestone-encrusted portraits of Black women. Exploring themes of identity, race, and gender, her work considers Black female identity and its complexities within Western culture. A Tony-nominated co-producer, curator, educator, and mentor, Thomas made history in 2023 as the first Black queer femme artist with a Yale University scholarship in her name. Her work is held in prominent collections, including MoMA, the Whitney, and the Smithsonian.
Rutgers School of Business–Camden
Aaron Chang
President, Jefferson Health – East Region
As president of Jefferson Health's east region, Aaron Chang is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of Jefferson’s three New Jersey acute care hospitals in Cherry Hill, Stratford, and Washington Township, recently ranked among the top 10 in New Jersey on U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals” list and recipients of “A” grades in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Report.
A results-oriented executive, Chang comes to Jefferson from Catholic Health in New York, where he was president and central market leader of of Sisters of Charity Hospitals. In that role, Chang had oversight of two acute care hospitals and led care continuum initiatives across a portfolio of post-acute facilities, physician enterprise clinics, and ambulatory sites.
The South Jersey community has benefitted from Chang’s prior operational leadership expertise in cardiac catheterization labs, as Jefferson recently received NJ state certification to offer a specialized treatment, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, for certain heart attack patients.
Chang earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science with an emphasis in Biochemistry from the University of California, Davis. He also holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from California State University. He resides in Moorestown, NJ, with his wife and two daughters.
Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden
Amy Mansue
President and CEO, Inspira Health
Amy B. Mansue has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Inspira Health since August 2020. With nearly 40 years of experience in the health care industry, Amy has built a distinguished career, spanning leadership roles in both the public service space and within prominent New Jersey hospitals and health systems.
Throughout her career, Mansue has remained deeply committed to strengthening the health care workforce. In recognition of the vital role nurses play in delivering outstanding patient care, Mansue has led initiatives focused on workforce development and professional growth. Additionally, she has led Inspira Health in building a culture where team members feel respected, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Mansue holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social welfare from The University of Alabama.
Camden College of Arts & Sciences and University College–Camden
Jacquelyn A. Suárez
Commissioner, N.J. Department of Community Affairs
Jacquelyn A. Suárez was named Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) on September 18, 2023, making her the first Hispanic commissioner to lead the DCA. Commissioner Suárez is committed to the Department’s ongoing mission to provide residents, local governments, businesses, and community development organizations with financial support, administrative guidance, and technical assistance to help improve the quality of life for New Jersey families.
As Commissioner of one of the State's largest departments, she is responsible for a $1.485 billion operational budget and oversees more than 1000 employees. Commissioner Suárez spearheads a variety of departmental initiatives, including ending veteran homelessness in NJ, expanding shared services, developing homeownership opportunities, and creating a pipeline for public sector employment. Before her appointment as Commissioner, Suárez served as the Director of the Division of Local Government Services since 2021.
Commissioner Suárez is a New Jersey native who earned her Juris Doctor from Rutgers School of Law in Camden and her bachelor’s degree in communications, legal institutions, economics, and government from American University in Washington D.C. She is a member of both the New Jersey and New York bar associations. She is also a member of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey.
Rutgers Law School
Brisa De Angulo
Founder and CEO, A Breeze of Hope Foundation
Brisa De Angulo is founder and CEO of A Breeze of Hope Foundation. Additionally, Brisa is co-founder of the Brave Movement Global and the Movimiento de Valientes Latin America, sister movements that seek to end child sexual violence and improve and promote legislation that protects the best interests of children. Brisa is a member of the Lancet Commission on Violence Against Women and Children, one of the most rigorous and prestigious academic journals in the world.
As a lawyer, psychologist, and human rights activist, she dedicates her life to improving access to justice and healing for survivors of childhood sexual violence. Brisa, herself a survivor, uses her story and expertise to elevate survivor voices, provide effective and trauma-centered direct services, and drive forward public policy and legislation that safeguards children and ensures their access to justice and healing.
With 18 years of experience working with survivors, and 22 years working with early childhood development, Brisa’s insights have created a remarkably effective set of interventions. Her center for child survivors of sexual violence in Cochabamba, Bolivia implements these interventions on a daily basis, serving more than 500 children every year.
Visit the commencement website for more details on Commencement Week events, frequently asked questions, and more.
