2023 Commencement Speakers Announced

President Amy C. Novak, EdD, announced today that Lisa Killinger, DC and Jabari Woods ’02, ’05 will give the keynote addresses at the 2023 Spring graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 20. Both speakers will also be recognized with honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees for their significant philanthropic and humanitarian efforts.

Lisa Killinger, who will address the 2023 graduate and doctoral candidates next month, is a 1983 graduate and professor of Clinical Sciences at Palmer College of Chiropractic. In 1999, she was responsible for developing the original Chiropractic Program for the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration as the first chiropractor to be hired by our nation’s government. Her authorship of 10 book chapters, over 100 scientific publications and more than 300 presentations at scientific conferences around the globe have contributed to immense advancement in her field.

Lisa’s commitment to her community extends beyond professional as she continues to spearhead important work on diversity, peace and social justice in her personal endeavors. She has collaborated with the Sisters of St. Benedict to host Interfaith Dialogues and currently partners with the Diocese of Davenport as Outreach Chair for the Muslim Community of the Quad Cities. Most notably, she was the group’s first woman, non-immigrant and convert to be elected President and was re-elected three times.

Not surprisingly, Lisa was recently recognized with the Metropolitan Community Church 2021 Peace and Reconciliation Award. She is a proud mother of four children and grandmother of two.

Jabari Woods, who will give his address to the undergraduate class of 2023, graduated from St. Ambrose in 2002 with a B.A. in Business Management & Organization. An impactful leader during his time on campus, Jabari served as Black Student Union President, a Resident Life Community Advisor, Homecoming King (2001-2002), Campus Ministry volunteer, and as a member of the Campus Activities Board. Jabari eventually returned to SAU, earning a master's degree in Social Work in 2005.

Today, Jabari works as Associate Director of HR and Equity, Title IX Coordinator and ADA Program Administrator for the Davenport Community School District. In 2008, he founded and became the CEO of YAH’s Dollar Project, a nonprofit that generates funds to help neighbors in need. His faith inspired him to write YAH’s Book of Psalms in 2019 and ultimately found YAH’s Unlocking Treasures Ministry, extending his impact through prayer, fasting and poetry.

Jabari has centered his career on embracing diversity, inspiring solution-driven change and modeling peaceful collaboration. His work has changed the lives of thousands of students and families in our community.

Like last year, we will host two Saturday ceremonies on May 20 at the Vibrant Arena at The Mark: the graduate and doctoral hooding ceremony at 9 a.m. as well as the undergraduate ceremony beginning at 1 p.m. For more information, visit the 2023 Spring Commencement webpage. 

Please join the SAU campus community in celebrating Lisa Killinger and Jabari Woods as we honor their outstanding examples of faith, social justice and service.