“Problems Worth Solving Are Worth the Risk”: Celebrating the Class of 2026
By
EDvance College
On May 14, 2026, EDvance College celebrated our third graduating class at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco. Ninety one graduates crossed the stage to receive their Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies. With this class, EDvance has now supported 154 early childhood educators in debt-free degree attainment.
The ceremony was a celebration of achievement, resilience, and purpose. It was also a reminder of what can happen when higher education is built around working educators.
This year, we served 337 enrolled students, reached a 93% persistence rate and 100% of our Class of 2026 graduated debt-free! For our graduates, this milestone came while continuing to work, care for their families, and serve young children every day.
As keynote speaker Dr. Ashley Williams shared with the class, “You have accomplished something extraordinary, and you deserve to feel the fullness of that.”
A Celebration of Educators Who Persevered
Throughout the evening, speakers honored the expertise graduates brought with them to EDvance.
Dr. Williams reminded the class that they did not arrive as beginners. They came with experience, relationships, instincts, cultural wisdom, and classroom wisdom. EDvance gave them a place to go deeper, connect their practice to research and reflection, and see their daily work as skilled, thoughtful, and powerful.
Student speaker Laysan Andrews captured that transformation in her address.
“We moved from simply doing the work to understanding the purpose behind it. From following routines to making intentional decisions. From supporting children to truly understanding how they grow, learn, and develop.”
Laysan also named the reality behind their achievement: the journey was not easy. Graduates faced long days, personal struggles, moments of doubt, and responsibilities that did not pause when assignments were due. Still, they persevered and showed up.
The ceremony honored more than an academic achievement. It honored the many years graduates spent putting others first and continuing to show up even when the path to a degree felt difficult.
From Practice to Purpose
The evening reflected something we believe deeply: working educators already carry valuable knowledge and experience with them. At EDvance, that experience becomes the starting point and foundation, not something left behind. In her alumni address, Sindy Lafages-McCree, a graduate of EDvance’s first class, described what that transformation made possible in her own life and leadership journey.
“EDvance helped me claim the educator I already was. Because of this program, my daily interactions evolved into reflective practice, and my connections with families grew into a true village.”
She reminded graduates that their leadership belongs in every room where decisions about children are made.
“We are not just providers. We are the change agents our communities require.”
Honoring the Class of 2026 Award Recipients
During our ceremony we recognized six graduates whose work reflected the heart of EDvance’s mission.
- The Carol Stevenson ECE Advocate Award: Erika Lazo
It recognizes advocacy, commitment to justice and equity in early childhood education, and collaborative work that strengthens the ECE community. Erika was recognized as a passionate advocate whose work creates meaningful change for children and families. - The Glady Harris Community Leadership Award: Demetria Williams
This award celebrates exceptional leadership, mentorship, compassion, and community impact. Demetria was honored for empowering others, supporting her community, and carrying forward Gladys Harris’ legacy of care, resilience, and advocacy. - The Dr. Patricia Sullivan Family Child Care Award: Peiyi Ye
Presented for the first time this year, this award honors Dr. Patricia Sullivan’s legacy as a family child care provider, scholar, mentor, advocate, and champion for Black children, families, and educators. Peiyi was recognized as a compassionate and dedicated leader whose work uplifts the family child care community. - The Excellence in Professional Writing Award: Xuezhu Zhen
This award recognizes exceptional written communication in support of the early childhood education field. Xuezhu was honored for developing clear and effective writing that informs, advocates, and empowers the communities she serves. - The Excellence in Reflective Practice Award: Hend Juwaydah
This award honors deep self-awareness, analytical thinking, and a commitment to continuous growth in professional practice. Hend was recognized for critically reflecting on her teaching practice, incorporating feedback, and demonstrating a thoughtful commitment to improving learning experiences for children. - The Exceptional Capstone Award: Jessica Hobson
This award honors a student whose capstone project exemplifies excellence, innovation, and meaningful impact in the field of early childhood education. Jessica’s project explored how prospective providers can use state protections and community-based funding to build a social emotional learning centered child care program in a high cost urban environment, weaving together financial realities with the lived expertise of Oakland providers.
EDvance College Day in San Francisco
Prior to the ceremony, EDvance College staff and students received a major recognition. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie issued a proclamation declaring May 14, 2026 as EDvance College Day in San Francisco. The proclamation recognized EDvance’s work to build a strong, stable, and well-prepared early childhood education workforce by investing in the educators who shape the city’s youngest learners.
For EDance, the proclamation was more than an institutional honor. It was a public recognition of early childhood educators and the workforce that makes strong beginnings possible for children and families across the city.
A Risk Worth Taking
In her closing remarks, Dr. Lygia Stebbing, President of EDvance College, reflected on the risk that led to EDvance.
“Five years ago, none of this existed. Not the college. Not the cohort. Not the stage. Not the gowns. It began with a problem I could not unsee. Early educators were navigating long and broken pathways. Their prior experience was too often treated as if it did not count. They were taking on debt for degrees that should have been within reach. Higher education was not built around them.”
EDvance was created to be different. It was built around educators’ funds of knowledge. It was built around reflective practice. It was built around the belief that working early childhood educators deserved a bachelor’s pathway designed for their lives.
Dr. Stebbing called on the graduates to carry that same courage forward.
“Take the risk to speak up in the meeting. Take the risk to apply for the role you weren’t sure you qualified for. Take the risk to push back when a policy doesn’t serve children. Take the risk to keep learning when it would be easier to coast. Go stand on the ledge. Go shape this field. Go change this world.”
Congratulations to the EDvance College graduating Class of 2026!
Help Future Educators Earn Their Degrees Debt-Free
The Class of 2026 is proof of what becomes possible when early childhood educators are supported, recognized, and given a pathway built around their lives.
Your gift helps make that possible for future EDvance students. Every dollar donated goes directly to fund institutional grants for future EDvance College students. Your support helps working early childhood educators earn debt-free degrees while continuing to serve our children, families, and communities.
