Hoda Kotb is going back to school — well, sort of.
The former Today show cohost will speak at Fordham University’s 2026 commencement, the institution announced on April 16. Kotb will join graduates at the Rose Hill campus in the Bronx on May 16 and will receive an honorary degree from the university.
“We are proud to announce that our 181st Commencement Speaker is Hoda Kotb!” the school announced in an Instagram post. “Celebrated broadcaster, bestselling author, and CEO Hoda Kotb will receive an honorary degree at Fordham University’s 181st Commencement on May 16 at the Rose Hill campus.”
Fordham University president Tania Tetlow praised Kotb’s accomplishments as well.
“She has led a truly kaleidoscopic media career, boldly reporting on world events and sharing others’ stories—as well as her own—with utmost integrity,” she said in a statement. “We at Fordham are blessed to have her as our commencement speaker.”
Kotb graduated from Virginia Tech in 1986 with a degree in communication.
Kotb, who began her tenure at Today in 2007, left the morning talk show in January 2025. She announced her departure in September 2024.
“I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one,” she said in a letter shared with the Today staff, which was published online as she announced her decision on the morning show. “They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show.”
“My broadcast career has been beyond meaningful, a new decade of my life lies ahead, and now my daughters and my mom need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie,” she added in part. “I will miss you all desperately, but I’m ready and excited.” Kotb is mother to daughters Hope and Haley.
She opened up about her daughter Hope’s ongoing health condition, which led to this major decision. Hope, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2023, needs “constant care” that Kotb is “monitoring her 24/7,” the former anchor told PEOPLE in May 2025.
At the time, Hope had experienced mysterious symptoms that led to a two-week long hospitalization before establishing a routine for Hope’s medical needs.
“I really wanted to and needed to be here to watch over her,” Kotb said. “So whenever she needs anything — and it can happen at night, multiple times — I’m up. I’m up, up, up. But I would never, ever want Hope to one day grow up and say, ‘Oh, my mom left her job because [of me].’ It wasn’t that alone. But if you look at it cumulatively, it was a part of that decision.”
Most recently, Kotb reunited with her coanchor Savannah Guthrie in April, temporarily filling in for Craig Melvin. Kotb also returned to the show in February to fill in for Guthrie during the ongoing investigation into her mother Nancy’s disappearance. Kotb interviewed Guthrie in an emotional sit-down Today segment about the months-long search.
The two friends and colleagues earlier reunited for the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcast as well.
