Actress, humanitarian, and author Ashley Judd will deliver the commencement address to New England Institute of Technology graduates on Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Providence, Rhode Island. Judd is a Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actress with a career spanning more than three decades starring in box-office hits and indie gems. She is equally well known for her global social justice work and is an outspoken advocate for the rights and protections of women, often lending her voice to influence policy and speak out for the most vulnerable.
Judd first gained recognition as an actress in the early 1990’s with her breakthrough role in the critically acclaimed film Ruby in Paradise. She became a leading lady in Hollywood thrillers and independent dramas, known for portraying complex, resilient women. Her roles in Kiss the Girls, Double Jeopardy, and Heat established her as a major box-office star. She earned Best Actress nominations for her roles in the movies De-Lovely, Norma Jean & Marilyn and the television series Missing…..