Creighton celebrates the graduating Class of 2026

During Creighton University commencement ceremonies on May 14-17, more than 1,800 students will celebrate major milestones and begin their next chapter as Creighton alumni.

Across Creighton’s schools and colleges, students have achieved incredible outcomes and will be moving on to careers, service opportunities or continuing education within six months of graduation.

Here’s a look at some stats from the class: 

• 52 U.S. states and territories are represented.
• 24 countries are represented. Besides the U.S., the top three countries are India, Canada and Kuwait.
• The top three undergraduate majors are nursing, finance and accounting.
• The top three undergraduate minors are biology, business and health administration and policy.

From research to service to academics, the Class of 2026 has made its mark on Creighton. Here are some highlights from the 2025-2026 academic year.

College of Nursing

Senior nursing student Rachel Malander became the first nursing student in Creighton’s history to present at the BIG EAST Undergraduate Research Symposium. Her research, in collaboration with her faculty mentor Lindsay Iverson, DNP, and other campus partners, explores how AI can help nursing students prepare for difficult conversations with patients and families.

Heider College of Business

Curiosity across disciplines fueled Luke Tooley’s journey from business to medicine. A senior accounting major, Tooley paired the analytical rigor of the Heider College of Business with the science prerequisites required for medical school while conducting research related to antimicrobial resistance. This fall, he will continue his path at the Creighton University Health Sciences Campus – Phoenix as a medical student.

College of Arts and Sciences

Jordan Belton, a biology and Spanish and Hispanic studies double major with a minor in medical anthropology, has been named a Fulbright finalist for an English Teaching Assistantship in Colombia. Through the Fulbright Program, she will spend the next year teaching and engaging in cultural exchange while exploring connections between education, culture and healthcare. After her Fulbright year, she plans to attend medical school.

That same commitment to inquiry and impact is reflected in Ty Monson, a senior biochemistry major who individually earned second place at the BIG EAST Undergraduate Research Symposium. Through his research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treatments, he has contributed to meaningful academic scholarship while developing the analytical and collaborative skills central to Creighton’s undergraduate research. After commencement, Monson will attend the University of Mississippi as a PhD candidate.

School of Medicine

At this year’s Match Day, 95% of Creighton University School of Medicine students matched into their number one specialty of choice, and 100% are pursuing residencies or research fellowships in 20 specialty areas. Learn more about fourth-year medical students Laura Cogua and Caroline Lewis as they move on in their graduate medical education and see the drill-down of Match Day results.

School of Dentistry

In the School of Dentistry, 50,000+ patient visits were made to the school’s dental clinic, with an additional 2,500+ visits provided in elementary schools and 907 patients served in the Dominican Republic through ILAC.

For graduating dental student Emily Tesnohlidek, that commitment took shape through service experiences like Veterans Mission of Mercy (VetMOM) and outreach clinics, where she learned that dentistry is as much about listening and trust as it is clinical care. As she prepares for an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency, she plans to carry forward a focus on accessible care and meaningful patient relationships.

School of Pharmacy and Health Professions

Creighton University’s highly ranked Doctor of Physical Therapy program provides students with clinical experiences across the country and abroad, helping students like Tori Rands shape their approach to patient-centered care.

After a sports and outpatient rotation in Arizona, Rands traveled to the Dominican Republic, working with local physical therapists to provide care in underserved communities and deliver services in Spanish. After graduation, she will return to Massachusetts to begin her career in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy.

School of Law

In the School of Law, students complete more than 2,100 clinical hours annually through the Creighton Law Clinics, gaining hands-on experience while expanding access to justice for vulnerable populations.

For graduating law student C’yera Sherrod, that commitment became especially clear through her work in the Juvenile Justice Legal Clinic. As a race and disability youth defense intern, she recognized how often neurodiverse youth are underserved in the justice system. That insight led her to pilot STAND, a program designed to help youth with developmental or intellectual disabilities, and their caregivers, navigate interactions with law enforcement safely and confidently.

No matter their destination, the Class of 2026 carries with them the lessons, relationships and enduring spirit of Creighton. Congratulations, Bluejays!