PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (March 19, 2026) — Prairie View A&M University has announced the distinguished speakers for its 144th Spring Commencement ceremonies, scheduled for May 8–9, 2026, in the William “Billy” J. Nicks, Sr. Building (Baby Dome).
The ceremonies will celebrate nearly 1,000 undergraduate and graduate candidates in a formal setting, recognizing their academic achievements and milestones.
The Friday, May 8, ceremony will feature The Honorable Pamela Goynes-Brown ’84, Mayor of North Las Vegas, as commencement speaker. A proud Prairie View A&M alumna, Goynes-Brown made history in 2022 as Nevada’s first Black mayor. She previously served for more than a decade as Councilwoman for Ward 2 and became the city’s first African American female Mayor Pro-Tempore.
A lifelong resident of North Las Vegas, Goynes-Brown dedicated 35 years to public education with the Clark County School District, retiring as an assistant principal. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music education, graduating magna cum laude, from Prairie View A&M University, and later received a master’s degree in elementary education with an endorsement in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
She has received numerous honors for her service and leadership, including being named Mother of Achievement by American Mothers, Inc. (Nevada Chapter) in 2024 and “Woman of the Year” by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Tau Beta Sigma, and Mu Alpha Sigma Music Honor Society.
The Saturday, May 9, ceremony will feature Dr. Harry L. Williams, President and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF).
As leader of TMCF, the nation’s leading organization representing publicly supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), Williams oversees a network of 57 member institutions. Under his leadership, the organization has experienced significant growth, increasing revenue by more than 250% while expanding partnerships with major corporations such as Boeing, Visa, and Wells Fargo to create student internship and career opportunities.
Williams has also advanced bipartisan efforts supporting HBCUs and expanded TMCF’s membership in 2022 to include Historically Black Community Colleges. Before his current role, he served as president of Delaware State University and held leadership positions within the University of North Carolina System, Appalachian State University, and North Carolina A&T State University.
He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Appalachian State University and a doctorate from East Tennessee State University and has been recognized nationally for his leadership in higher education.
All commencement ceremonies will be livestreamed via the University’s official YouTube channel, allowing family members and supporters to participate remotely if needed.
For more information, visit pvamu.edu/commencement.
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