Legislative Black Caucus chair to be commencement speaker at UMES

PRINCESS ANNE — Delegate Jheanelle K. Wilkins, chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, will be the guest speaker for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s 137th Spring Commencement.

The ceremony, which takes place Friday, May 17 at 10 a.m. at the William P. Hytche Athletic Center on the UMES campus, will confer the degrees of 235 students. This is a ticket-only event.

Wilkins, who has been LBCMD chair since 2022, represents the 20th Legislative District in Montgomery County and has served in the Maryland House of Delegates since 2017.

She also serves as a member of the Women Legislators of Maryland, the Maryland Legislative Caucus and the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus.

Wilkins was part of the LBCMD delegation that visited UMES last fall to learn about the institution’s new educational initiatives, including the proposed School of Veterinary Medicine and a discussion on the policies on approving academic programs throughout the state.

"Delegate Wilkins is a strong voice for her district, for the State of Maryland, and for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore,” said UMES president Heidi M. Anderson. “We are delighted that she's returning to our campus to share her voice with our students."

In addition to serving as Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Del. Wilkins is the Vice Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee where she also chairs the Subcommittee on Election Law.

Geoff J. Gonella, the president and managing director of Washington-based consulting firm Cornerstone, will also be on hand to provide greetings from the University System of Maryland’s Board of Regents.

Commencement will again be live-streamed. Visit the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Commencement webpage and click on Watch the Graduation ceremony to view it online.