CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — Penn State Lehigh Valley's spring 2026 commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 9, at 10:30 a.m. with Penn State alumna Marline Francois as the featured speaker. The event will be held outdoors, rain or shine, on the Lehigh Valley campus.
Francois’ background is rich with diverse professional experiences. She is a thought leader, assistant professor at Morgan State University, bestselling author of "The State of Black Girls," licensed therapist, speaker and researcher. She has more than 18 years of experience in the mental health field and has become a sought-after expert in adolescent mental health and racial identity. Francois has shared her expertise at dozens of universities, colleges, community organizations, churches and conferences. Mindfully intersecting the connections between black girls, policy and mental health, Francois said her mission is to help create equity in black mental health with an astute awareness that equity and equality are not the same thing.
Francois holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Penn State and a master of social work degree from Rutgers University – Newark. She completed her doctoral degree in family sciences and human development at Montclair State University. She was named the 2020 Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers – New Jersey Chapter, and was honored with the 2025 Alumni Achievement Award by Penn State Lehigh Valley.
Her work has been featured in Forbes, Essence, ABC, CBS, WebMD and dozens of media platforms regarding her expertise on the psychological well-being of youth. Francois is actively involved with her community and serves as a board member for several youth organizations. She resides in Maryland with her husband and son.
“I am so honored and excited to be selected as the commencement speaker,” Francois said. “As an alum of Penn State Lehigh Valley, I look forward to sharing insights and words of encouragement with the graduating class of 2026.”
The Penn State Lehigh Valley commencement ceremony will be livestreamed for those unable to attend the event in person.