Student Meg Baly, adjunct professor Jennifer Smith-Slabaugh & alum Tavorise Marks are SPCS Commencement 2026 speakers

As part of a long-standing tradition, a graduating student, faculty member, and an alum will address School of Professional and Continuing Studies graduates during the the School’s graduation ceremony at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 9. This year’s speakers are graduate student Margaret M. “Meg” Baly, C’88, L’92, GC’25, adjunct assistant professor Dr. Jennifer Smith-Slabaugh, and alum Tavorise K. Marks, C’18.

Margaret M. “Meg” Baly is earning a Master of Teaching degree through SPCS. Growing up in a military family, Baly’s father served in the U.S. Army, and she has three older brothers. Her childhood included living in 11 states and two tours in Germany before completing high school in Northern Virginia. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and French from the University of Richmond in 1988 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond School of Law in 1992.

Baly’s career began in law, including clerking for the Supreme Court of Virginia and handling insurance defense cases with Progressive Insurance. After the birth of her second child, she transitioned into education, earning an early childhood education certificate and becoming a preschool teacher. Driven by a passion for teaching young learners, she enrolled in the SPCS Master of Teaching program to advance her career in elementary education. Currently, Baly leads a fourth-grade classroom at Good Shepherd Episcopal School, where she fosters a relationship-centered learning environment that supports diverse students.

Dr. Jennifer J. Smith-Slabaugh has served as an adjunct assistant professor in the Nonprofit Studies program at SPCS since 2015. She teaches courses such as Community Engagement in the Nonprofit Sector and Program Design & Proposal Writing, preparing students to address complex social issues through nonprofit management.

Prior to joining the University of Richmond, Smith-Slabaugh held multiple roles at Virginia Commonwealth University, including executive director of the Virginia Mentoring Partnership and grant program specialist. Her leadership within the nonprofit sector spans over two decades, with a strong focus on youth development and mental health awareness. She holds a Ph.D. in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University and actively contributes to local education initiatives and nonprofit boards.

Smith-Slabaugh’s dedication to nonprofit education, community engagement, and youth development has earned her the Itzkowitz Family Distinguished Adjunct Faculty Award this year.

Tavorise K. Marks is the owner of Tavorise K. Marks State Farm in Hopewell, Virginia, where he and his team deliver insurance and financial services locally and statewide. Marks earned his post-bachelor’s certificate in paralegal studies from SPCS in 2018.

Marks currently serves as president of the SPCS Alumni Association Board of Directors and has played a pivotal role in governance reforms and alumni engagement. An entrepreneur and founder of Commonwealth Equal Consulting, a nonprofit consulting firm, Marks specializes in human capital management, diversity and inclusion, and conflict resolution.

A lifelong learner, Marks holds degrees from Norfolk State University and additional certifications from the U.S. Army, Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute, and Virginia Commonwealth University. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in public policy at Liberty University and serves on numerous boards, including the FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association and Virginia’s Gateway Region Economic Development Organization.

Marks’s leadership and advocacy work underscore his commitment to community service and strategic change. He is receiving the 2026 Gibb Family Distinguished Alumni Award.

Baly, Smith-Slabaugh, and Marks will be honored at SPCS Night, the School’s annual awards convocation, on May 6.