Location: Reckord Armory
This event will also be live streamed on Youtube.
Keynote Commencement Speaker:
Diane J. Hoskins, FAIA
Global Co-Chair, Gensler
Washington, D.C.
Order of the Ceremony
WELCOME AND CONGRATULATIONS
Dawn Jourdan, Esq., Ph.D., AICP
Dean, School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation
KEYNOTE COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
Diane J. Hoskins, FAIA
Global Co-Chair, Gensler Washington, D.C.
RECOGNITION OF GRADUATES
Lindsey May, AIA, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs & Strategic Initiatives
Mohammad Gharipour, Ph.D., Director, Architecture Program
Clara Irazábal, Ph.D., Director, Urban Studies and Planning Program
Susan Kern, Ph.D., Director, Historic Preservation Program
Tanya Bansal, Director, Real Estate Development Program
Hiro Iseki, Ph.D., Director, Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning and Design Program
Meet our Keynote Speaker:
Diane J. Hoskins, FAIA
As Global Co-Chair of Gensler, Diane brings visionary and inspiring leadership focused on firm growth, energizing Gensler culture, elevating governance excellence, and equipping the firm for its continued leadership role in the future. As a hands-on leader, Diane believes in creating a compelling vision to inspire Gensler’s impact and influence through its platform of over 6,000 people networked across 56 offices, serving more than 3,500 clients in over 100 countries. Diane is focused on Gensler’s global strategies and organizational excellence to ensure Gensler services its clients with the world’s leading design and thought leadership. As the catalyst for the Gensler Research Institute, Diane is committed to delivering value to clients through data strategies and innovations like Gensler’s Workplace Performance Index® (WPI), City Pulse Survey and Experience Index.
With deep expertise in architecture, design, real estate, and business, Diane brings a bold vision to the built environment. As a Director of Boston Properties—the largest publicly traded real estate investment trust—she helps shape the future of commercial real estate at scale. Diane also sits on the Board of the Real Estate Roundtable, where she influences policy and innovation in the industry. She previously served as Global Chair of the Urban Land Institute, driving forward-thinking strategies in urban development, as well as Director of Washington Gas, a publicly traded utility company, playing a key role in the energy infrastructure of the Washington region.
A design leader with a global perspective, Diane was a featured speaker at the United Nation’s Habitat Assembly in Nairobi (2023) and Climate Action Summit in New York (2019). She has also spoken at the United Nations Climate Change Conference for three consecutive years—COP26 Glasgow, COP27 Sharm El-Sheikh, and COP28 Dubai. Her thought leadership and insights have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the Harvard Business Review, CNN, Forbes, Fast Company, NPR, Bloomberg, Business Insider, the New York Times and elsewhere. As an author, Diane brings forward the positive impact that design can have in our day to day lives through her book Design for a Radically Changing World, launched in 2024.
A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Diane graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and holds an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Diane has served as a member of many industry associations, including the CEO councils for the Wall Street Journal, FORTUNE, and Bloomberg. Previously, she served as a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Futures Council on Cities and Urbanization as well as the WEF Real Estate Industry Action Group.
Meet our Student Speakers:
Heyam Abualrub, B.S. in Architecture ‘26
Heyam Abualrub is graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture with a minor in Construction Project Management. She earned Dean’s List and semester academic honors throughout her time at the University of Maryland. She has demonstrated strong leadership and service as president and founder of Future Architects of the Middle East at UMD (FAME), where she leads initiatives that promote professional development, cultural representation, and mentorship within the architecture and design community.
In addition, Heyam serves as an Adobe Student Ambassador, a Student Ambassador for the School of Architecture, and a Student Mentor, while remaining actively involved in academic and cultural organizations that support inclusion and student success. During her time at UMD, Heyam participated in multiple design competitions, earning recognition in the AIA Interschool Design Competition and Archi-Nova, along with honorable mention for the Abramowitz Design Award in her senior studio project. Her work reflects a strong interest in human-centered and sustainable design.
Following graduation, Heyam plans to pursue a career in architecture, working toward becoming a licensed architect and creating thoughtful, environmentally conscious spaces.
Seta Whitney, B.A. in Architecture ‘26
Seta Whitney, a Rockville, Maryland resident, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture with minors in Creative Placemaking and Real Estate Development, graduating Cum Laude and as a Dean's List honoree. Seta is looking forward to building professional experience and exploring opportunities in architecture and interior design.
Ashay Amam, Bachelor of Real Estate and the Built Environment & Bachelor of Arts of Psychology
Ashay Amam is a Washington, D.C., native who has spent the last several years pursuing a degree in real estate development and psychology while working as a real estate agent and property manager. He's built his career on being detail-oriented, persistent, and genuinely focused on understanding what his clients and friends need. He plans to pursue his Master's degree in Real Estate Development as part of a 4 +1 program here at UMD. He’ll be the first to tell you that the strong foundation in communication, negotiation, and problem-solving developed at UMD has mattered just as much as any technical knowledge. He brings a grounded, practical perspective to everything he does, shaped by real experience, ongoing learning, and a genuine commitment to the people he works with.
Benjamin Bilo ’24, Master of Architecture ‘26
Benjamin Bilo is a Master of Architecture candidate at the University of Maryland. His thesis project investigates incremental densification of American suburban housing. Ben is a recipient of the Ayers Saint Gross Scholarship-Internship and the Charles Kibel Endowed Fellowship. During his graduate studies, Ben was a teaching assistant for ARCH270 Design in Practice and ARCH465 Structures IL Before enrolling in the master's program, Ben graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Maryland in 2024. In his senior year, Ben designed and hand-built wooden benches, now permanently installed in the architecture building, with fellow UMD alum Mateo Aron Ortiz '24. Following graduation, Ben looks forward to joining Daniels and Associates Architects as an architectural designer and marrying his fiancé, Sophie, in July 2026.
Alexander Scallan McRoberts, Master of Community Planning ‘26
Alexander Scallan McRoberts is originally from Binghamton, New York, and is graduating with a Master of Community Planning. Alex served as a research assistant at the National Center for Smart Growth, focusing on applied transportation and land use planning research. As secretary of the Student Planning Association, he founded and co-edited TerraPlan, an academic journal for students across the built environment disciplines.
Alex’s academic and professional work includes transportation and land use, commuting behavior, public transit financing, and public-sector geospatial tools. He has presented at the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting and Transportation Research Forum, and interned with the District Department of Transportation. Before attending the University of Maryland, Alex earned a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and International Relations from Syracuse University and worked for two years as a transportation planner at the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council. Following graduation, he hopes to continue helping communities build safer and more accessible streets.
Emma Gruesbeck, Master of Historic Preservation & Master of Applied Anthropology ‘26
Emma Gruesbeck, originally from Natchitoches, LA, is graduating with a dual Masters in Historic Preservation and Applied Anthropology. During her three years at the University of Maryland, she served as Events Coordinator for the Practicing Anthropological Student Association (PASA) and hosted a radio show on WMUC-FM. After graduating, she will be working for Historic Annapolis and Preservation Maryland.
Kyle Jarred Seaton, Master of Real Estate Development ’25
Kyle Jarred Seaton is a built environment professional whose work bridges architecture, real estate development, and multidisciplinary project delivery across the U.S. and the Caribbean. Originally from the Caribbean and ultimately rooted in the US Virgin Islands, he currently serves as a Project Architect in Washington, D.C., supporting multifamily and mixed-use developments throughout the region. Kyle earned a Master of Real Estate Development from the University of Maryland, where he won the NAIOP Capital Challenge and Fall 2025 Capstone Competition and was selected as the 2026 Commencement Speaker. His work is guided by sustainability, thoughtful development, and a commitment to creating lasting community impact. At the core of Kyle’s philosophy is a simple yet profound belief: that our time is finite, and that we are therefore called to leave a positive and lasting imprint on the world around us.
Information:
Tickets: Each student will receive 6 tickets. There will be a lottery for additional tickets in late April. More information on ticket pick up will be sent in late April.
Accommodations: If you or your guests will need specific accommodations at the ceremony, please note that in the Commencement Information Form or email mapp.commencement@umd.edu as soon as possible., More information on accessibility can be found here.
Regalia: Academic regalia are the traditional dress for degree candidates participating in college, school and department convocations, as well as the university-wide commencement ceremony.
Bachelor's Degree Regalia: For those earning a bachelor’s degree, a black gown and mortarboard are worn. A black tassel with a custom UMCP medallion is attached. A custom UMCP red stole completes the regalia for bachelor’s degree candidates.
Master's Degree Candidates: Master’s degree students wear a modified gown with longer sleeves, the mortarboard with an attached UMCP black tassel, custom UMCP red stole, and a hood. The hood color represents your specific degree or discipline.
MAPP Graduate Regalia Colors
- Master of Architecture = Lavender
- Community Planning = Peacock Blue
- Historic Preservation = Lavender
- Real Estate Development = Lavender
- PhD = Red & Dark Blue
Additional information about regalia and how to purchase can be found here.
Bag Policy: Graduating students, please do not bring any purses or bags with you during procession. Bags are searched entering the theater and you will not be allowed to process with any bags.
The ceremony will also be live streamed. More information can be found on our website closer to the event.
Questions? Contact mapp.commencement@umd.edu