The countdown is on! On Friday, June 12, 2026, the American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) community will come together to celebrate one of the most meaningful milestones in our students’ journeys—Commencement. Graduates will join us in person at the World Forestry Center in Portland, Oregon, or tune in virtually from across the globe for this joyous moment.
ACHS is honored to share this special day with graduates and their loved ones as we recognize the dedication, resilience, and passion that brought you here!
A Global Celebration of Achievement
From the processional to the turning of the tassel, Commencement is filled with tradition and meaning. But beyond the ceremony itself, it represents something even greater: a shared commitment to advancing health, wellness, and sustainability in communities around the world.
Our graduates represent diverse backgrounds, experiences, and goals, but all are united by a passion for holistic health and a desire to make a difference.
Kicking Off the Celebration Early: Pre-Commencement Events
The celebration begins early on Thursday, June 11, with a series of pre-commencement events designed to help grads connect, explore, and celebrate in person. The ACHS Open House, held at our campus building in Portland, Oregon, includes a guided campus tour, meeting fellow graduates, and connecting with faculty and staff who have supported students throughout their journeys.
We’ll also host a guided botanical walk led by Amanda Lattin, Dean of Aromatherapy, and Dr. Judith Thompson, Dean of Herbal Medicine. This immersive experience offers graduates, students, and their loved ones a chance to explore the beauty and benefits of herbal medicine and aromatherapy while bringing ACHS learning to life in a truly meaningful way.
Honoring Our Award Recipients
This year’s ceremony will also spotlight members of the ACHS community who have gone above and beyond. We’re proud to present the following honors:
- Distinguished Peer Mentor Award
- Rising Star Peer Mentor Award
These students have generously shared their time and expertise to support their peers and help cultivate a collaborative learning environment.
- DEAC Outstanding Graduate Award
- DEAC Famous Alumni Award
These honors, awarded by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), recognize graduates who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, professional growth, and community impact.
- Distinguished Faculty Award
- Distinguished Teaching Award
- Staff Excellence in Student Engagement Award
These awards highlight the dedication of our educators and support staff who empower students every step of the way.
A Year of Momentum in Wellness and Innovation
As we celebrate the Class of 2026, we also reflect on a year of meaningful growth for ACHS and the global wellness field. The wellness economy continues its rapid expansion—reaching $6.8 trillion in 2025 and projected to near $9.8 trillion by 2029—reflecting rising global demand for integrative health, mental wellness, functional nutrition, and sustainable practices. Guided by our pillars of Innovation, Excellence, and Sustainability, ACHS has continued to move forward with purpose alongside our students, alumni, faculty, and staff.
This year brought meaningful progress across key areas of study and impact:
- Herbal medicine education expanded
- New partnerships with organizations such as Herbalists Without Borders and the American Herbal Pharmacopeia
- Launch of the Nature’s Remedies certificate to strengthen real-world, applied learning
- Learn more about ACHS Herbal Medicine in 2025
- Aromatherapy and mental wellness advanced
- Continued leadership in clinical aromatherapy education
- Faculty contributions to national and global conversations on sustainability and innovation
- New and upcoming programs, including the Cultivating Resilience micro-credential and the Holistic Approaches to Mental Wellness certificate
- Functional nutrition pathways grew
- Increased student research presentations at national conferences
- Publications in leading journals
- Expanded access to academic tools and clinical resources
- Sustainability and innovation strengthened
- Global partnerships supporting ethical and sustainable sourcing
- Advancement of AI-powered learning through the ACHS ACE Initiative
- Celebration of 10 years as a Top 10 Green Workplace in Oregon
Looking ahead, the future of wellness is being shaped by:
- Preventive, personalized, and integrative healthcare
- The rise of mental wellness as a central pillar of health
- Growing demand for ethical and sustainable sourcing of natural products
- Continued transformation through AI and digital innovation
- Expanded collaboration and global partnerships
ACHS graduates are entering this evolving landscape prepared not only to practice but to lead meaningful change across the industry.
Reflecting on the Journey—and the Possibilities Ahead
Commencement is more than a ceremony. It’s also a celebration of everything it took to get here. The late nights, the perseverance, the passion for learning and growth. It’s an exciting new beginning.
As ACHS graduates step into their next chapter—launching businesses, advancing clinical practices, contributing to research, or continuing their education—they carry forward a shared mission: to create a healthier, more sustainable world.
To the Class of 2026: your work matters, your voice matters, and your future is full of possibilities. We’ll see you on June 12th!
Looking to continue your education? ACHS offers flexible online micro-credentials, like our Wellness Business Operations Specialist™ program, that allow you to upskill with a short-term commitment. You can also explore a range of online continuing education programs.
