Attallah College of Educational Studies is proud to announce Dr. Melanie Lundquist, LHD, as the keynote speaker for its Degree Ceremony on Saturday, May 23, at 5 p.m.

Together with her husband, Richard, Dr. Lundquist has invested more than $400 million over the past 15 years to advance education, strengthen democratic institutions, improve health care, and support environmental initiatives. Their most visible impact is the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, which manages 20 high-need public schools and pilots scalable practices that boost community engagement, teacher development, school leadership, and access to rigorous academics.

The Partnership’s results have been dramatic: graduation rates have risen from 36% to 86%, math performance has improved across all schools, and Jordan High School went from one of the lowest performing in Los Angeles to the most improved high school in California after just one year. Dr. Lundquist is now collaborating with the Gates Foundation to improve math outcomes in California public schools.

Lundquist holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Southern California and earned her Doctor of Humane Letters from McPherson College in 2020. Attallah College looks forward to welcoming Dr. Lundquist to the stage, a fitting voice for a ceremony celebrating the next generation of educators, advocates, and change-makers.

The Chapman University Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 22, at 7 p.m., followed by the President’s Toast at 8:35 p.m. The Attallah College Degree Ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 23, at 5 p.m.

Visit Chapman’s commencement site to view the full schedule.