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SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 2, 2026—Dee Dee Myers ’83, a trailblazing leader in politics and communications, a bestselling author, and the first woman to serve as White House Press Secretary, will deliver the Commencement address to Â鶹ŮÀÉ’s undergraduate Class of 2026 and receive an honorary doctorate of public service. The ceremony will take place Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Stevens Stadium on the University’s historic Mission Campus. 

Myers, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science, returns to her alma mater to inspire the more than 1,500 members of the Class of 2026 as they embark on their next chapter. Her extraordinary career spans the White House, Hollywood, corporate boardrooms, and the literary world, standing as a testament to the values of competence, conscience, and compassion that Santa Clara aims to instill in its graduates.

“Dee Dee Myers represents the very best of what a Santa Clara education can inspire,” said Julie Sullivan, president of Â鶹ŮÀÉ. “Her career reflects a deep commitment to public service and thoughtful leadership. We are proud to welcome her home to celebrate the Class of 2026 and to honor her extraordinary contributions to public life.”

A Career of Historic Firsts

When President-elect Bill Clinton named Myers as his press secretary following the 1992 presidential election, she became the first woman and one of the youngest individuals ever to hold the position. She guided communications during some of the most consequential moments of the Clinton presidency, earning widespread recognition for her sharp wit, poise under pressure, and ability to navigate the relentless scrutiny of the White House press corps.

Her career in politics and communications had deep roots long before the Clinton White House. A California native, Myers cut her teeth on the campaigns of Walter Mondale, Michael Dukakis, Dianne Feinstein, and Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley before helping shape the message for Bill Clinton’s successful presidential campaign. Her journey from Santa Clara graduate to the West Wing is the kind of story that defines a generation.

After leaving the White House in 1994, Myers built an equally impressive second act. She served as a contributing editor at Vanity Fair, consulted on the Emmy Award-winning television series “The West Wing,” and authored the New York Times bestseller “Why Women Should Rule the World.” She later served as Executive Vice President of Worldwide Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at Warner Bros. and has been a sought-after strategic communications advisor to major corporations and organizations worldwide. She is currently a senior advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom and director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

“Santa Clara helped me discover not only what I wanted to do, but the kind of person I wanted to become,” said Myers. “I am profoundly grateful to return to the place where so much began for me, and to speak to a graduating class that is poised to shape the world in ways we can’t yet imagine.”

The 2026 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony will take place Saturday, June 13, at 8:30 a.m. in Stevens Stadium on the Â鶹ŮÀÉ Campus. The Undergraduate Faculty Reception will commence immediately following the ceremony on the St. Ignatius and Daly Science Lawns.

Media Contacts 
Lisa Robinson | SCU Media Communications | lrobinson2@scu.edu | 408-551-3601