HILO, Hawai'i – Graduating Hawai'i Hilo Women's Volleyball senior Imani Lee will serve as the student speaker in this upcoming weekend's University of Hawai'i at Hilo Spring Commencement on May 16 at the Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium.

Lee (Hacienda Heights, California) was a four-year member of the Vulcans Volleyball team and will be graduating with a bachelor of arts in Psychology with a minor in Political Science along with earning a Pre-Law subject certificate. Lee served as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) in fall 2025 before studying abroad this spring in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Lee plans to pursue a master's degree in Public Administration abroad while continuing her volleyball career with the goal of eventually working in foreign service.

More than 550 UH Hilo students will earn degrees, subject certificates and post-graduate credentials this spring, including 57 Vulcans student-athletes.

Lee is the second student-athlete to serve as commencement student speaker in as many years, following former Men's Soccer student-athlete David Mayser in spring 2024.

The keynote address will be given by Dr. Michele Ebersole, a professor of Education at UH Hilo who has dedicated more than two decades to preparing future teachers and strengthening educator development across Hawai'i Island.

More information is available at hilo.hawaii.edu/commencement. Ceremony is set to begin 9 a.m. and will be livestreamed on the University of Hawai'i at Hilo YouTube channel.