PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Nov. 5, 2025) – Two accomplished Prairie View A&M University alumni will return to “The Hill” to address graduates during the University’s 30th Fall Commencement exercises, December 12-13, 2025.
Dr. Tarrynce Robinson, Superintendent of the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District in Wisconsin, will speak at the ceremony for master’s and doctoral candidates on Friday, December 12, at 6 p.m. U.S. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, representing Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, will deliver the keynote address for undergraduate candidates on Saturday, December 13, at 9 a.m.
More than 700 candidates are expected to receive degrees this semester, including 12 doctoral, 160 master’s, three post-baccalaureate, and 533 undergraduate students.
Friday Evening Speaker: Dr. Tarrynce Robinson
Tarrynce G. Robinson, Ed.D.
Dr. Tarrynce Robinson, Superintendent of the West Allis–West Milwaukee School District in Wisconsin and a native of Houston, Texas, has devoted more than 26 years to education, championing equity, academic excellence, and community empowerment. Under his leadership, the West Allis-West Milwaukee district achieved historic milestones, including voter approval of two major referendum measures, significant performance gains, and the creation of a new strategic plan, Destination West: Build, Empower, and Thrive.
A proud PVAMU alumnus, Dr. Robinson earned his Master of Education in Administration from Prairie View A&M University and his Doctorate in Education from the University of Houston. He is a dedicated leader whose work reflects his belief that “recognizing the humanity in others is the highest form of service.”
Read Dr. Robinson’s full bio here.
Saturday Morning Speaker: U.S. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II
U.S. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II
U.S. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, representing Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, will address undergraduate candidates during Saturday morning’s ceremony.
A native of Waxahachie, Texas, Congressman Cleaver is serving his tenth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance. His decades of leadership span public service, civil rights, and ministry.
A proud alumnus of Prairie View A&M University, Congressman Cleaver was an active member of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and later founded a new SCLC chapter in Kansas City, Missouri. He went on to serve as Kansas City’s first Black mayor and has since authored major housing reform legislation in Congress, including the bipartisan Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act.
Throughout his career, Congressman Cleaver has championed affordable housing, economic development in underserved communities, and civility in public discourse.
View Congressman Cleaver’s full bio here.
Additional Commencement Details
Commencement rehearsal will be held Friday, December 12, at 8:30 a.m. in the William “Billy” J. Nicks, Sr. Building (Baby Dome), where the ceremonies will take place.
Both ceremonies will be livestreamed at youtube.com/pvamu for family and friends unable to attend in person.
Additional event information is available at pvamu.edu/commencement.
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