ITTA BENA, Miss. — º£½ÇÉçÇø will welcome one of its own back to campus as Toks Omishakin, a distinguished alumnus and current Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), delivers the keynote address during the university’s 74th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 8 a.m. in the R.W. Harrison Complex.
A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Omishakin earned his Bachelor of Arts in engineering technology from º£½ÇÉçÇø before going on to build a nationally recognized career in transportation leadership. His return to his alma mater marks a full-circle moment as he addresses the next generation of graduates.
Appointed by Gavin Newsom in February 2022, Omishakin serves as the fourth Secretary of CalSTA, where he oversees eight state departments, boards, and commissions, more than 42,000 employees, and an annual budget exceeding $30 billion. His leadership emphasizes safety, equity, climate action and economic prosperity, while promoting innovation and strong community partnerships.
Prior to his appointment, Omishakin served as director of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), managing a $17.5 billion budget and leading more than 22,000 employees. He previously spent eight years as deputy commissioner with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, where he oversaw environmental services, long-range planning, and multimodal transportation initiatives.
Earlier in his career, he served in the Nashville Mayor’s Office as director of Healthy Living Initiatives, helping shape the city’s transportation strategy and contributing to the development of its Complete Streets Policy, which promoted a more balanced and accessible approach to mobility.
A respected national leader, Omishakin has held leadership roles with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and has served on several boards, including Oxford University Press and the Mineta Transportation Institute. He was also appointed to the Biden-Harris presidential transition team for transportation and has received numerous honors, including the Excellence in Leadership Award and recognition as Person of the Year by the California Transportation Foundation.
Omishakin holds a Ph.D. in engineering management from the University of Tennessee and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Jackson State University.
In addition to celebrating its newest graduates, the university will also honor the Golden Class of 1976. Sixty members of the class will return to campus to participate in the commencement exercises and be formally recognized for their milestone anniversary.
Doors for the ceremony will open at 7 a.m., and guests are encouraged to arrive early to ensure seating prior to the start of the program.
University officials say Omishakin’s journey from MVSU student to national transportation leader reflects the power of a Valley education and will inspire graduates as they prepare to make their impact on the world.
The ceremony is open to graduates, families, and invited guests.