Alumna Rebecca Kutler, B.A. ’01, president of MS NOW, will deliver the Commencement address to the George Washington University Class of 2026 at Commencement on the National Mall on May 17.
She will also receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the university.
Under Kutler’s leadership, the 30-year-old news brand has been reshaped into a modern newsroom that reaches 32 million Americans every week on cable and millions more online, through podcasts, and across social media. MS NOW, formerly MSNBC, commands one of the most loyal and engaged audiences on television, with the average viewer tuning in for more than nine hours weekly.
As president, Kutler is responsible for the long-term growth of the news organization, oversees its editorial strategy and direction, leads its lineup of trusted anchors, and directs a new, independent newsroom of Pulitzer, Murrow, Emmy and Peabody award-winning journalists. In addition to airing more than 120 hours of live programming every week, Kutler has also supercharged MS NOW’s digital transformation, including its rapid expansion across various non-linear platforms. This past year, MS NOW generated nearly eight billion combined views across YouTube and TikTok, recorded more than 140 million audio downloads, and reached 30 million people online each month at MS NOW.
Kutler was named president in February 2025 after serving as senior vice president for content strategy where she led investments in expanding digital programming. A veteran of more than two decades in television news, Kutler previously held several executive roles at CNN and contributed to teams recognized with Emmy, Peabody, and duPont-Columbia Awards.
“Rebecca’s extraordinary career and the reach and impact of her work exemplify the leadership and determination to make a difference at the heart of a GW education,” said GW President Ellen M. Granberg. “I look forward to hearing Rebecca’s inspiring story and advice to our graduates at the ceremony in May.”
Kutler earned a Bachelor of Arts in political communication from GW and a Master of Arts in journalism from Columbia University. She met her husband while they were seniors at GW and they now live in Washington, D.C., with their three children.
She joins the ranks of previous GW Commencement speakers, including former First Lady Michelle Obama; Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.); chef, humanitarian and human rights advocate José Andrés; MS NOW anchor Jen Psaki, and actor, director and producer Kerry Washington, B.A. ’98. She succeeds alumna Jonquel Jones, B.A. ’19, the former WNBA MVP, who delivered last year’s address. These speakers have added to a long line of GW Commencement guests stretching back to the first graduation ceremony in 1824, which honored the Marquis de Lafayette and Henry Clay.
“I am honored by President Granberg’s invitation to return to GW and deliver this year’s commencement address,” Kutler said. “My four years here taught me that showing up is a civic responsibility. Whether it’s in your work, your relationships, or your role as a citizen, staying engaged is what gives life meaning. That mindset shaped my path in journalism, and it’s what continues to guide me today. I’m looking forward to celebrating this year’s graduates as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.”
Visit GW’s Commencement website for additional information about the week’s schedule and events. Registration for Commencement Week is now open and will close on April 23.