Keynote Speaker

Ken Okel
Accept the Dare: Thriving in a World of Never-Ending Challenges

Remember, as kids, when you could turn down a dare? Today, a never-stopping conveyor belt of challenges may offer you no choice. You must respond, and you need to be at the top of your game.

Busy professionals often find themselves defined by how they perform in these pressure-packed moments. You can’t level up doing the same things.

Why not ignite MOTIVATION and UNLOCK UNTAPPED POTENTIAL in this engaging and inspiring keynote? You will learn how to raise your game with CREATIVE AND FUN solutions.

Barbie LOVES KEN and so will you!

Small Changes and Big Impact

Something’s not quite right and you’re not sure what to do. This session will focus on how small changes to your ceremony staging, line up process and prep of volunteers can make big impacts on the flow of your event. We will look at how ASU managed change in its largest venue and then implemented those changes in other venue to create consistency, better flow and a more efficient event.

Speakers:
Melissa Goitia
Executive Director – Arizona State University
Matthew Redd
VP of Strategic Accounts & Innovation – Stage Clip

Make them say Yes! Volunteer Management 101

Every event manager knows that volunteers are the backbone of running successful events when you don’t have the budget to hire more temporary staff. This workshop will go over the basics of volunteer management and creating a culture of engagement for faculty and staff. This workshop will go over the basics of volunteers’ management and creating a culture of engagement for faculty and staff. Attendees will leave with fundamentals of volunteer management and some ideas of how to engage your faculty and staff in the programs you put on.

Speaker:
Marcus Jones
Chief of Staff – ASU Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions

Ensuring Safe Commencement Ceremonies in an Era of Heightened Student Activism

As student activism continues to surge across the country due to increasingly polarized political climates, commencement staff must be equipped with comprehensive training on free speech and free expression. This session will highlight the critical importance of understanding the balance between safeguarding free speech rights and maintaining the dignity and safety of commencement ceremonies. Attendees will learn to navigate the complexities of “time, place, and manner” restrictions, ensuring that appropriate guidelines are in place to prevent disruptions while respecting free expression. We will discuss the essential processes needed to manage potential demonstrations during these significant events and how to handle unforeseen disruptions effectively. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to preserve the ceremony’s atmosphere, protect graduates and their families, and uphold the institution’s values during these pivotal moments. This workshop is urgently relevant as universities face increased challenges in managing activism during high-profile events like commencement.

Speakers:
Sherwynn Umali
Deputy Chief of Staff, Division of Student Affairs – UC Irvine
Edgar Dormitorio
Chief of Staff, Division of Student Affairs – UC Urvine

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither were our communications

Since returning to in-person ceremonies in 2022, we have revisited our previous behaviors and established new best practices. This resulted in an updated and robust communication strategy to graduates and their guests, staff, faculty, and internal stakeholders. Attendees will receive a blueprint of how we made administrative changes, updated the communications plan, and crafted templates. These adjustments resulted in an enhanced experience for all stakeholders (including us!).

Speakers:
Siobhan Bhagwat
Coordinator, Ceremonies & Events – Wilfrid Laurier University
Beth Sanders
Lead, Brantford Campus Experience -Wilfrid Laurier University

Modernizing Commencement at the University of South Carolina: Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

This presentation explores the revitalization of the University of South Carolina’s commencement ceremony, a longstanding and sacred rite of passage. While rooted in tradition, commencement can evolve to reflect modern sensibilities, engaging today’s students and their families in more meaningful, spirited ways. We will demonstrate how time-honored elements can coexist with innovative additions—interactive features, pyrotechnics, and studentdriven moments—to create a memorable, dynamic experience. By embracing the philosophy that even the most respected traditions can adapt, we’ll show how “teaching an old dog new tricks” can inspire a renewed sense of school pride and foster lasting memories for all attendees.

Speakers:
Courtney Buzan
Associate Director of Campus Programs – University of South Carolina
Anna Edwards
Associate VP for Student Life and Chief of Staff for the Division of Student Affairs & Academic Support – University of South Carolina

A Better Fit: How a Pandemic-Era Commencement Became the New Norm

The global pandemic forced universities worldwide to rethink long-standing traditions, and commencement was no exception. Out of necessity came innovation, as we moved from crisis to custom by creating a Grad Walk that reshaped the way we celebrate graduates. What began as a temporary shift in our institution’s graduation format, designed to accommodate health and safety concerns, revealed itself to be more than just a quick fix. Our
students, who come from diverse backgrounds and face unique challenges, embraced the new commencement structure, which provided more accessibility, flexibility, and personalization. This presentation will explore how a virtual and in-person commencement model—initially seen as a stopgap—became a more inclusive and sustainable solution for our student population. We will explore how COVID-19 spurred us to reimagine the traditional ceremony, evolving it beyond tradition and into a redefining celebration that better serves our modern students. Attendees will gain insight into the lessons learned from this transformation, the unexpected benefits for students, and why this new format is likely here to stay. Whether you’re involved in event planning, university operations, or educational policy, this presentation will offer valuable takeaways on how to adapt traditions to better serve diverse and evolving communities.

Speakers:
Angela Grant
Director of Commencement Services – University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)
Serena Williams
Associate Director of Commencement Services – University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)

New Week, New Policy: How Texas State Implemented New Security Policies to Prevent Ceremony Disruptions

In spring of 2024, events around the world began to have an impact on college campuses. Learn how Texas State implemented new security policies at commencement to prevent disruptions and to ensure the safety of all in attendance.

Speakers:
Kristin McDaniel
Commencement Coordinator – Texas State University
Jeff Houseman
Assistant Vice Provost for Curriculum & Academic Programs -Texas State University

Making Instagram Work for You

How did we increase our reach by 426% in 6 weeks? During this session, I’ll cover the strategies we deployed to give our @ucicommencement account a makeover and make it a useful tool for grads, guests and departments. By re-evaluating the purpose and outcomes of our feed, incorporating reels, and creating a specific identity for each season, we managed to increase account engagement by 166%, content impressions by 501%, account reach by 426%, and drove 11,626 users to our profile and 1,313 users to our website over the course of 6 weeks. I’ll share our methodology of design, types of content we utilized, and our growth strategies that turned our Instagram account into the valuable resource it continues to be.

Speaker:
Jess Leggett
Director, Creative & Marketing Communications, The Division of Student Affairs – University of California, Irvine

More than just a party planner- how to advance the career of a commencement project manager

Based on current articles and case studies this presentation demonstrates the elaborate skill set required of an effective commencement planner. This role is often underestimated and should be a more elevated position based on the fact that it requires the skill sets of both an event planner as well as project manager, and varying degrees of other positions across campus. Through case studies this presentation will demonstrate how to navigate the difficult road of creating career advancement pathways for the historically pigeon-holed profession of a commencement planner.

Speakers:
Dani Bomgaars
Commencement Project Manager – Cal State Fullerton
Carmela Arstill
Assistant Director of Events – CSU Long Beach
Yvonne Moar
Associate Director of University Events and Commencement – Cal State Fullerton
James Cuaresma
Senior Director, University Events and Protocol – CSU Los Angeles

Lessons Learned: Revamping Your Security and Risk Management Plans in a Time Crunch

In the world of university ceremonies, unexpected challenges often arise, requiring quick and efficient action. Recent widespread pro-Palestine protests and encampments on campuses across Canada and the United States added a new layer of complexity to planning graduation ceremonies. This session, “Lessons Learned: Revamping Your Security and Risk Management Plan in a Time Crunch,” will guide attendees through the process we followed to overhaul our security and risk management strategies in response to rapidly changing campus dynamics. Drawing from real-world experiences, we will explore how to quickly identify and prioritize key risks associated with large-scale, high-profile events in the context of evolving campus protests. Attendees will learn how to implement flexible solutions that ensure safety, while balancing the sensitive nature of free speech and student activism. Through case studies and interactive discussions, participants will also learn strategies to enhance communication and collaboration among stakeholders, including senior administration, for seamless execution during emergencies or sudden changes. Additionally, the session will emphasize the importance of documenting these lessons to improve future risk management plans and ensure resilience. This session is essential for graduation planners seeking to navigate the complexities of campus activism while maintaining the integrity and security of their ceremonies.

Speaker:
Alanna Vernon
Associate Director – University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus

A Tale of Two Universities: Remembering and Anticipating a Presidential Inauguration

Presidential inaugurations are significant occasions in the history of a university. They reflect the achievements of the institution and embrace the vision and goals, and relationships of the new administration. The George Washington University hosted an inauguration for its 19th president in November 2023 amidst protests on campus and the uncertainty that came with them. American University will host its presidential inauguration in March 2024, bringing together the university community to highlight the institution and the vision of the 16th President while balancing budget limitations, university resourcing and civil discourse. These two schools in the nation’s capital faced similar challenges while keeping their inaugurations unique to their communities and traditions.

Speakers:
Kristi Rotella
Special Events – American University
Cattleya Wongkongkatap
Special Events – American University

Normalcy: How is it Elevated and Maintained in Tumultuous Times

Like many institutions, the University of South Florida has experienced increased student and social activism on campus and in the community beginning late 2023. Learn how the team responsible for planning Commencement found balance in providing all students and their guests, as well as university staff, with a meaningful graduation ceremony while still allowing students their fundamental freedom of expression. In the midst of all this, the USF team has been overhauling the graduation experience to elevate and change the status quo – bringing the ceremonies into a new era to match the university’s status as a member of the Association of American Universities.

Speakers:
Amberly Nelson
Director of Commencement – University of South Florida
Travis Miller
Deputy Chief of Staff – University of South Florida
Paige Beles Geers
Chief of Staff – University of South Florida

Putting the GRAD back in Graduation: Strategies to enhance the graduate experience at your commencement

This presentation will explore creative ways to honor graduates, focusing on personalized touches that put each student in the spotlight. You’ll learn how to design unique graduation experiences that go beyond tradition, incorporating innovative elements that make the event unforgettable and exceed expectations. We will also provide best practices for engaging virtual graduates, ensuring they feel a sense of pride and belonging by recognizing their individual achievements. Whether planning in-person or virtual celebrations, this session offers strategies to elevate your graduation ceremony, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees while fostering meaningful connections between students, peers, and faculty.

Speakers:
Beth Smith
Sr. Event Manager – Purdue Global
Brenda Fresch
Sr. Campaign Coordinator – Purdue Global

Finding a Balance Between Tradition and Audience Attention

Are your convocation/commencement ceremonies filled with long speeches? Has the emphasis shifted from celebrating the student’s achievements to giving all the necessary administrative members their time at the microphone? Do people leave the ceremony early? Have you ever had an audience member send a complimentary email about the ceremony? Thanks to forward thinking senior administration, Trent University has found a balance at their convocation/commencement ceremonies between honouring academic traditions and keeping things short, light, and even fun, while maintaining the focus on the graduating students

Speaker:
Joanne Sokolowski
Senior Manager, Convocation & Alumni -Trent University

Convocations, Inaugurations, Celebrations, Oh My!

Discover how a Convocation Team found that there really is “No Place like Home” for meaningful and memorable ceremonies. Ease on down the road and follow the journey of academic professionals as they traveled through a busy fall season that celebrated a revamped First Year Convocation, an Installation of a new president, and celebrations that accompanied both. Be whisked away as you discover how knowledge, heart, and courage came together for a truly memorable fall! And yes, there is even the involvement of a little dog, too!

Speaker:
Patti Nolin
Assistant Director, College Events & Engagement – Rhode Island College