2026 Commencement Program | Fresno

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

Alliant University is a private university accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) which offers programs in psychology, education, business management, forensic studies, and nursing health sciences. Alliant’s mission is to prepare students for professional careers of service and leadership, and to promote the discovery and application of knowledge to improve the lives of people in diverse cultures and communities around the world.

Alliant is comprised of six schools: California School of Professional Psychology, School of Education, School of Management & Leadership, School of Forensic Studies, and School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Our locations include Fresno, Irvine, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco in California, and a campus in Phoenix, Arizona.

Alliant holds program-specific accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA), the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Alliant is also fully approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and Arizona Board of Nursing (AZBN).

MISSION STATEMENT

Alliant University prepares students for professional careers of service and leadership, and promotes the discovery and application of knowledge to improve the lives of people in diverse cultures and communities around the world.

Alliant is committed to excellence in four areas:

1. Education for Professional Practice
   Alliant’s educational programs are designed to give students the knowledge, skills and ethical values they need to serve and lead effectively in a variety of professional settings. Alliant graduates are expected to achieve mastery of a body of knowledge and be able to apply that knowledge in professional practice in order to achieve desired and beneficial outcomes.
2. Scholarship
   Scholarship in the Alliant context includes the discovery of new knowledge; the discovery of new applications of knowledge to solve practical problems; the integration of knowledge in new ways; and innovation in teaching knowledge and professional competencies.
3. Multicultural and International Competence
   Alliant is an inclusive institution committed to serving diverse populations around the world by preparing professionals to work effectively across cultural and national boundaries; by increasing the number of professionals working in underserved areas; and by understanding and responding to the needs of diverse communities.
4. Community Engagement
   Alliant’s faculty, students, alumni and staff are dedicated to making a positive difference in the world through professional education and practice. We measure the success of our university in part by the impact we have, both directly and indirectly, on the welfare of individuals, families, organizations and communities.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP

CAMPUS ADMINISTRATION

CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

FACULTY

STAFF

OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING – CSPP

Francesca Kassing, PhD
Chelsee Osback, PhD

W. GARY CANNON PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES CENTER

PLATFORM PARTY

ACADEMIC PROCESSION

2026 GRADUATING CLASS
FACULTY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNIVERSITY
PLATFORM PARTY

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

NICHOLE FLORES, PSYD

Nichole Flores, PsyD is the Director of Behavioral Health for Valley Health Team, Inc., where she oversees 14 sites delivering integrated behavioral health services across the San Joaquin Valley. Born and raised in Fresno, California, Dr. Flores earned her Bachelor of Science from California State University, Fresno, a Master’s in Organization behavioral from the California School of Professional Psychology, and a PsyD in Clinical Forensic Psychology from Alliant International University.

Since founding Valley Health Teams’ behavioral health program in 2012, Dr. Flores has been a driving force in expanding access to mental health care in underserved rural communities. She is passionate about schoolbased mental health, telehealth services, and holistic care models that address, medical, vision and dental needs for diverse populations, including migrant families and other vulnerable groups.

A recognized advocated for healthy equity, Dr. Flores combines strategic leadership with hands-on program development, mentorship, and community engagement. She continue to advance innovative programs that provide meaningful access to care for patients of all ages across the central valley.

Outside her professional life, Dr. Flores is a devoted mother and wife, avid reader, and enthusiastic supporter of her children’s sports and dance pursuits. She enjoys singing, dancing, mediation, and quiet moments with tea on her balcony—pursuits that reflect the same passion and energy she brings to her work in health care.

ACADEMIC REGALIA

Academic dress has its origin in the Middle Ages. When the European universities were taking form in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, scholars were also clerics, and they adopted robes similar to those of their monastic orders. Caps were a necessity in drafty buildings; capes, or capes with hoods attached, were needed for warmth. As the control of universities gradually passed from the church, academic costume took on brighter hues and employed varied patterns in cut and color of gown and type of headdress.

The use of academic costume in the United States has been continuous since colonial times, but a clear protocol did not emerge until an intercollegiate commission in 1893 recommended a uniform code. In this country the design of a gown varies with the degree held. The bachelor’s gown is relatively simple with long, pointed sleeves as its distinguishing mark. The gown for a master’s degree has an oblong sleeve with the rear part cut square and the front part with a cutaway arc. The most elaborate academic costume is the doctoral gown with velvet panels down the front and three bars of the same material across the sleeves.

The velvet is usually black, but it may be a color designating the field of study to which the degree pertains. The gown itself, usually black like those of lower degrees, may be of a color distinctive of a particular university.

The hood bears a still larger symbolic burden: the width of its velvet trimming designates the level of the degree; the color heralds the major field of study; and the lining identifies the institution that granted the degree. Alliant University is symbolized by a lining of blue, sage and gold.

SIGNIFICANCE OF COLORS

Colors indicating fields of study are listed below:

The gold tassel indicates the doctoral degree; a black tassel indicates the master’s or bachelor’s degree.

MILITARY HONOR CORDS

In recognition of military service to the United States of America, Alliant University honors the graduation of Active Duty service members and Veterans by providing an opportunity for them to wear red, white, and blue honor cords to their commencement ceremony. Honorably discharged U.S. Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard, or Reservists, or ROTC students commissioning upon graduation are authorized to wear a Military Honor Cord.

OATH OF AFFIRMATION

I hereby affirm that I shall discharge the responsibilities of my profession in a manner consistent with respect for the dignity and worth of the individual and that I shall strive for the preservation and protection of fundamental human rights.

That I shall seek to increase knowledge of human behavior, to increase selfunderstanding and understanding of others, and that I shall use such knowledge for the promotion of human welfare.

That I shall diligently protect the welfare of those who seek my services, and that I shall use my skills only in the furtherance of human welfare and the integrity of the individual.

And that I shall well and truly recognize the traditions and ethics of my profession, and that I shall subscribe to these traditions and ethics freely and upon my honor.

Adopted from the Code of Ethics of the American Psychological Association.

DEGREES EARNED FROM ALLIANT UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Bharti Kamlakar Ughade

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

NOTE TO OUR NEW ALUMNI

Congratulations! Commencement is an inspirational and exiting time for you and your family! You are now joining over 45,000 alumni of Alliant University. We are sure you will make a difference in the world, just as many other alliant alumni have done and continue to do so.

Your fellow alumni have gone on to become world-renowned psychologists, couples and family therapists, educators, government leaders, international entrepreneurs, leaders of universities, authors, television stars and even academy award winners. You are in great company when you proudly state you are a graduate of Alliant University.

The Alliant Alumni Association, which includes graduates from a rich 85+ year history at Balboa University (1926-1959), Cal Western (1959-1973), United States International University (1973-2001), California School of Professional Psychology (1972-2000), Alliant International University (2001-2025), and now Alliant University (2026).

You are important to us, and we want to stay connected!

An important part of your future is being a member of the Alliant Alumni Association. Keep the Office of Alumni Relations up to date with your most recent address, both physical and electronic, as well as career successes and personal developments and achievements. Alliant continues to contribute to your professional development and gives you the means to expand your professional network. We encourage you take advantage of the following alumni services:

• Get involved by attending University events, participating on alumni panels, and
  guiding students interested in your field.
• Join the Impact Network alumni portal to connect with fellow alumni and students.
• Access alumni benefits such as the use of Career Services and the Library as well
  as discounts on Continuing Education classes and theme park attractions.
• Update your contact information to stay in touch!

Our Alumni Association wishes you great success as you travel through life with the
valuable knowledge and experience you have gained at Alliant. Stay connected!

Contact Information: alumni@alliant.edu
Website: alumni.alliant.edu

Be sure to also check out your school-specific alumni webpage for additional information! Links to the SML, SFS, SOE, CSPP & SFLS pages are on the main alumni website.