Framingham State University is proud to announce that noted physician, author, researcher, and trauma expert Dr. Alisha Moreland-Capuia (Dr. AMC) will give the keynote commencement address to the Class of 2024 during the undergraduate commencement ceremony.

Dr. AMC is the founder and director of McLean Hospital’s Institute for Trauma-Informed Systems Change, Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School, and author of Training for Change: Transforming Systems to be Trauma-Informed, Culturally Responsive, and Neuroscientifically Focused (2019) as well as The Trauma of Racism: Exploring the People and Systems Fear Built (2021).

Drawing on her expertise in global health, trauma, addiction, and system development and change, Dr. Moreland-Capuia’s research seeks to reduce unnecessary human suffering. She also hopes to contribute to an increased understanding of the impact of trauma on brain development and the overall risk for mental illness and how trauma shows up in systems.

“We are thrilled and honored that Dr. Moreland-Capuia has accepted our invitation to speak at our commencement ceremony,” says FSU President Dr. Nancy Niemi. “As they prepare to begin their professional careers, our graduating seniors have expressed interest in hearing from someone who can speak about the topics of mental health and social justice. Dr. Moreland-Capuia is one of the world’s foremost experts on trauma and has used her knowledge to educate and advocate for important criminal justice reforms.”

Dr. AMC has trained U.S. Senators and staffers in applying a trauma-informed lens to policies and legislation. She is training various U.S. Probation and Pretrial Service District Offices to facilitate trauma-informed change in U.S. presentencing and sentencing guidelines and post-prison supervision. While in residency training, Dr. AMC built Healing Hurt People-Portland (HHP), a trauma-informed, hospital-based, community-focused youth violence prevention program.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Stanford University and her Medical Degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The Framingham State University undergraduate commencement ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 19^th, at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA. During the ceremony, FSU will confer an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree on to Alisha Moreland-Capuia in recognition of her commitment to serve others and reduce human suffering.