By Jenny Wells-Hosley and Kayla Coffee 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 6, 2026) — Four graduating students have been selected by University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto to represent the Class of 2026 as speakers at UK’s May Commencement Ceremonies Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9.

Together, they reflect the breadth of the UK experience — leaders, scholars and innovators whose paths have been shaped by discovery, service and a strong sense of community.

The students are Mostafa Mubarak, Carolina Burn, Siena Pilati and Fatimah Alomar.

Fatimah Alomar

Alomar, from Lexington, is graduating with bachelor’s degrees in biology and neuroscience from the UK College of Arts and Sciences. She will deliver the student address at the 9 a.m. Saturday, May 9, ceremony.

A Singletary Scholar and Lewis Honors College student, Alomar has built a strong record of research, leadership and service at UK while pursuing a career in medicine.

“It feels unreal, like I just got here, but also bittersweet,” Alomar said. “I’ve made so many memories here at UK and changed a lot as a person. I’m much more sure of myself and proud of how I spent these past few years.”

Born in Iraq and raised in Lexington, Alomar said her time at UK reflects both academic and personal growth.

“It wasn’t just biochemistry or physiology that I learned,” she said. “I have become a more competent leader, mentor, mentee, student and friend. More importantly, my time at UK has ingrained me into this community. I better understand its needs, what Kentuckians struggle with, and where I fit in helping alleviate these issues.”

Alomar conducted research in multiple labs, studying topics including maternal response to COVID-19 vaccination and the neurological impacts of alcohol use. She also served as president of Medicats, where she expanded programming, increased membership and created additional support for premed students. She has also worked for Doctors Without Borders to address international humanitarian health crises and remained active in several outreach-focused organizations on campus.

Through volunteer roles in hospitals, free clinics and hospice care, Alomar gained hands-on experience working with patients and underserved populations — experiences that helped shape her career goals.

As a UK Commencement speaker, she hopes to encourage her peers to stay grounded in what matters most.

“I hope to inspire my peers to take a look around and appreciate what’s important to them — family, friends, community and the connections they’ve built over these last few years,” she said.

Mostafa Mubarak

Mubarak, from Alexandria, Egypt, is graduating with three bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering, computer engineering and computer science from the UK Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering. He will deliver the student address at the 9 a.m. Friday, May 8, ceremony.

An entrepreneur, student leader and international student, Mubarak has combined rigorous academics with campus leadership and creative ventures during his time at UK.

“Honestly, surreal,” Mubarak said of graduating. “Three degrees at once wasn’t easy, but I’m more relieved than proud right now. Ask me again in a week — I’ll say proud. Ask me a week after that, and I’ll say I miss my second home.”

Mubarak arrived in Lexington from Egypt at age 17 and quickly found a community on campus.

“It’s home. Genuinely,” he said. “I came from Egypt, and this place — the people, the campus, the random strangers who showed up for me for no reason — made me feel like I belonged here before I even earned it.”

During his undergraduate career, Mubarak founded a startup, Jomo Figures, which transforms customer photos into custom-designed figurines, blending engineering, creativity and user-focused design. He also co-founded the Student’s Association of the Middle East and North Africa, helping build a campus community that supports Middle Eastern and North African students.

In addition to his academic and entrepreneurial work, Mubarak has remained active in student life through the UK Boxing Club, where he serves as a main fighter and promotions lead, and through volunteer work with UK’s International Village, supporting incoming international students as they adjust to campus life.

As a UK Commencement speaker, Mubarak hopes his message resonates with students stepping into their next chapter.

“Stop waiting to feel ready and just go,” he said. “And I love you for all the time we spent together. I will remember it forever.”

After graduation, Mubarak plans to scale his software ventures while pursuing work authorization to formally launch his entrepreneurial career in the United States.

Maria Carolina Burn

Burn, from Downers Grove, Illinois, is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in integrated strategic communication from the UK College of Communication and Information, with minors in business and Spanish. She is also a student in Lewis Honors College. She will deliver the student address at the 2 p.m. Friday, May 8, ceremony.

A student leader with a passion for storytelling, content creation and service, Burn has taken a hands-on approach to building her experience both on and off campus during her time at UK.

“It feels so surreal,” Burn said of graduating. “I remember hearing everyone say, ‘College is going to fly by,’ and I always thought it was just something people say, but they were so right.”

Burn strengthened her skills in content creation and digital media through multiple internships, including work with UK Athletics Sports Video. She later became the social media coordinator for the Association for Women in Sports Media, where she helped elevate the organization’s presence and engagement.

Her college experience also took her abroad to Barcelona, Spain, where she studied at Pompeu Fabra University, adding an international perspective to her academic and professional interests.

In addition to her communications work, Burn has been deeply involved in service through UK 4 Paws for Ability. As a service dog trainer and primary handler, she worked closely with dogs in training and eventually served as the organization’s fundraising assistant, supporting its mission to provide service animals to those in need.

“My time at UK has meant so much to me,” she said. “College shows you your true colors, and how they change and adapt in a new chapter of life. UK taught me the beauty of being a chameleon, showing me the ins and outs of friendships, relationships and everything that comes with the college experience.”

As a UK Commencement speaker, Burn hopes her message encourages her classmates to embrace uncertainty as they begin their next chapter.

“I hope my fellow grads take away that there will always be time,” she said. “There’s time for an extra celebration, time for friends and family, time to find your dream job and time to figure everything out.”

After graduation, Burn plans to explore opportunities in social media and marketing, with long-term goals of working for a sports team, athletic brand or entertainment company.

Siena Pilati

Pilati, from North Canton, Ohio, is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in public policy from the UK Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, and a certificate in artificial intelligence. She will deliver the student address at the 6 p.m. Friday, May 8, ceremony.

During her time at UK, Pilati has combined policy, data and civic engagement into a wide range of campus and community leadership roles.

“It hasn’t actually set in that I’ll be graduating from UK this week,” Pilati said. “I feel so proud of myself to have made a home here in Kentucky and am taking all the knowledge and skills that I learned at UK with me into my next chapter.”

As an out-of-state student, Pilati said her experience at UK reflects the impact of the university and the Commonwealth on her personal and professional growth.

“Every faculty, staff member and peer I’ve met at UK has gone out of their way to help me in my academic, personal and professional life,” she said. “Kentucky pulls you in and makes you a better person.”

Pilati held several leadership roles across campus, including Executive Director of University Affairs for the Student Government Association and Overall Student Leadership Director for the UK Visitor Center, where she also worked as a tour guide. She founded and led the Cats Vote Coalition, a nonpartisan student organization focused on civic engagement, and served as Director of Data Management for Every Vote Counts.

Her professional experience includes internships with the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, as well as policy work with Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s Office of the Mayor. She also conducted research through the UK College of Public Health, contributing to a National Institutes of Health-funded study examining the impact of substance use-related policies in Kentucky communities.

As a UK Commencement speaker, Pilati hopes to encourage graduates to embrace uncertainty and chart their own path.

“I hope my story helps people feel less afraid of making big life decisions and understand that all of our individual paths look different,” she said. “I want people to feel excited and ready to pursue their life of meaning and purpose — not afraid.”

After graduation, Pilati will continue her work in Lexington this summer as a policy fellow in the mayor’s office before beginning a Master of Public Policy program at Georgetown University in the fall.