Grads at a Glance: 2026 Class Speaker Finds Community Through Service

A young woman wearing graduation garb smiles for a portrait in front of Albany’s main fountain. Her cap carries a gray tassel and she is wearing multiple colorful sashes and cords as well as a medal. One of the Sashes us purple satin and says “Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program” with the Middle Earth logo.
2026 Class Speaker Amaya Neuwirth (Photo by Zach Durocher)

By Erin Frick

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 14, 2026) — University at Albany senior Amaya Neuwirth came to UAlbany from Orchard Park, N.Y., drawn by the promise of a diverse campus community. Now on the brink of graduating with majors in Psychology and English, Neuwirth will leave a proven campus leader, with a clearer sense of self.

Purple box reading: Hometown: Orchard Park, N.Y. - Majors: English and Psychology - Next steps: AmeriCorps VISTA

“As a first-generation college student with little prior exposure to secondary education, I originally chose UAlbany for its diverse campus,” Neuwirth said. “I imagined a community where I could explore different aspects of myself that I felt I couldn’t before. 

“From my freshman year to now almost graduating, UAlbany has given me the space to explore my identity and get to know myself. Through radical self-acceptance — of who I was before, who I am now, and who I aspire to be — I have been able to become part of a strong community of caring, awesome individuals.”

Neuwirth’s community took shape through service. By joining the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega as a sophomore, Neuwirth was able to connect with students and faculty united by civic engagement, and as a result, she says, her “campus involvement skyrocketed.”

With an interest in mental health and desire to help her fellow students, Neuwirth joined the Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program, a peer-to-peer hotline offering round-the-clock support when school is in session. Guided by an excellent mentor, Neuwirth eventually became a mentor herself and rose to the position of president. 

“Middle Earth introduced me to how uplifting the cycle of peer support and mentorship can really be,” she said. “Teaching my peers how to thoughtfully engage with a peer who needs support was so fulfilling.”

Although final exams are over and homework is (at least for now), a thing of the past, Neuwirth has one last presentation — and it’s a big one. Neuwirth was selected to serve as the 2026 Class Speaker. This Saturday, she will address her fellow graduates — as well as thousands of Great Dane fans, friends and family members — at the undergraduate commencement ceremony. 

“I'm so excited to be speaking to my peers at commencement,” Neuwirth said. “I'm honored to be able to connect with my classmates, and my biggest hope is that my words resonate with everyone. I'm so grateful for this opportunity. I'm looking forward to having a moment to recognize all that we've done throughout our time at UAlbany as a collective and congratulate each other. A sneak-peek message: Keep moving forward!”

Following graduation, Neuwirth plans to serve as part of the AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program in Albany before pursuing graduate school.