Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

You found your place on the Island, now it's time to make your mark on the world. Congratulations, Summer 2026 graduates!🎓💙

Some stories are bigger than graduation.

Fourteen years ago, Audreanna Guerra '12 was supposed to cross the commencement stage at TAMU-CC. Instead, on the morning of her graduation, her family experienced the unimaginable loss of her 19-year-old sister, Nadia, in a tragic car accident.

The celebration never happened.

Tomorrow, Audreanna will finally hear her name called — 14 years later. Walking beside her will be her younger sister, Gabriella Guerra '26, who made it her mission to give Audreanna the graduation moment she never had.

After writing to university leaders and asking if her sister could participate in commencement alongside her, Gabriella received the answer she had hoped for: yes.

Now, the sisters will cross the stage together, honoring not only their own accomplishments, but also the memory of Nadia, whose love and legacy continue to guide them.

We are honored to celebrate the Guerra family and all of our Summer 2026 graduates.

More than 550 Islanders will celebrate years of hard work and achievement during our Summer 2026 Commencement on Saturday, Aug. 8!🎓

We're proud to welcome Jace Tunnell '98, '01, Director of Community Engagement at the Harte Research Institute and a nationally recognized marine conservation advocate, as this year's keynote speaker. A two-time Island University graduate, Tunnell is the founder of Nurdle Patrol and the creator of the Beachcombing video series. His message will encourage graduates to embrace uncertainty, stay curious, and see life's unexpected turns as opportunities for growth.💙

Happy Shark Week!

Dr. Daniel Coffey, Dr. Kesley Banks ’19 and graduate student Kyle King ’26 co-authored a peer-reviewed study examining more than a century of shark depredation trends in recreational fisheries. The research provides valuable insights to support sustainable fisheries management and includes findings from King's master's thesis.

The study has also earned national recognition, with NOAA Fisheries featuring the publication.

Congratulations to this outstanding team for advancing marine science and showcasing the impactful research happening at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

From hands-on activities to seeing the incredible work of our Harte Research Institute featured on the big screen, it was a fin-tastic night at Shark Week LIVE celebrating the science making waves at the Island University!🦈🤙

Every shark tells a story — and some are helping save their species.

Researchers at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Harte Research Institute are teaming up with recreational anglers to better understand and protect sandbar sharks.

Their observations are helping scientists determine whether Texas is home to one of the Gulf’s most important shark nurseries — a discovery that could shape conservation efforts for decades to come.

Because sometimes the best science starts with a fishing rod.