The Mace – October 2024

Message from the President – FALL 2024 MACE

Claudia Y. Dávila
President, NAACO Board of Directors
Director, Commencement and Ceremonies- Presidential Events and University Ceremonies, The University of Arizona

Dear NAACO Colleagues,

As we begin this new academic year filled with exciting changes and opportunities, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our members and sponsors. Your unwavering support over the past 25 years has been instrumental in NAACO’s success. Since our founding in 2000, your contributions have significantly impacted our industry.

This year, as we celebrate 25 years of NAACO excellence, we invite you to reflect on how NAACO has shaped your professional journey. Please share with us the best practices and experiences that have helped you grow and thrive.

The growth of our organization is a testament to the strength of our membership and the collective experiences we share in promoting excellence in ceremonies and gatherings across our institutions. In the past few years, we’ve navigated global, national, and local challenges, learning valuable lessons along the way. Yet, through it all, we’ve come together—sharing experiences, supporting one another, and continuing to thrive.

As we look ahead to the next chapter, we are filled with anticipation for our annual conference. The excitement builds as we approach this milestone event, and we would love for you to join us in celebrating 25 years of NAACO at the 2025 annual conference in Long Beach, California.

Register Today for the NAACO 2025 Annual Conference

Register for the NAACO 2025 Annual Conference: Celebrate 25 Years of NAACO Excellence. Reserve your spot to join fellow commencement officers in Long Beach, California, today!

Dates: February 9-12, 2025
Location: Long Beach, California
Hotel: Hyatt Regency Long Beach

NAACO 2025 Annual Conference: Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence!

Marcus Jones II
President-Elect, NAACO Board of Directors
Chief of Staff, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions,
Arizona State University

We are thrilled to announce that planning for the NAACO 2025 Annual Conference is in full swing! Mark your calendars for February 9-12, when we’ll gather in Long Beach, California, to celebrate 25 years of community and learning.

This year’s conference will be extra special as we look back on a quarter-century of collaboration, innovation, and excellence in commencement planning. The conference will offer a rich blend of educational sessions, interactive panels, and opportunities to reconnect with peers, old and new alike. We’ve tailored this year’s program around our theme—Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence—reflecting both the proud history of NAACO and the bright future of our profession.

Registration is now open and we encourage you to secure your spot early. Whether you’re a long-time member or joining us for the first time, we promise a conference full of inspiration, celebration, and meaningful connections.

Stay tuned for more details, including the full conference schedule and speaker announcements, which will be posted on our website and shared via email. Let’s come together to make this our best conference yet—because after 25 years, the best is still to come!

We look forward to seeing you in Long Beach, California!

NAACO SoCal Roadshow

Heather Violett
Member, NAACO Communications Committee
Events Manager, Academic Affairs, University of Massachusetts Global

Left to right: Dominique Simpson, Theo Lopez, Heather Violett, Kelly Carland, Amber Sega

Earlier this year, NAACO Southwest region members in Southern California visited each other’s local commencement ceremonies, during what was known as the 2024 SoCal Roadshow. Six institutions hosted other NAACO members at their ceremonies between March and August, including California Baptist University (On Campus, Riverside), California State University, Fullerton (On Campus, Fullerton), California State University, Long Beach (Angel Stadium, Anaheim), University of California, Irvine (On Campus, Irvine), University of Massachusetts Global (Long Beach Arena, Long Beach), and Western Governor’s University (Honda Center, Anaheim).

Visiting fellow NAACO members’ ceremonies provided attendees with the ability to see how other universities put on commencement. Areas that were important to observe for the Roadshow attendees were signage, rentals, parking, crowd management, check-in, lineup, procession, name calling, recession, stage setup, and technology. Most notably, attendees could compare how each university used their different venues, set ups, and traditions to make each ceremony unique. “We have essentially the same main job function with many of the same challenges, but we also have so many different and unique things that we manage as well. It was great getting to understand more thoroughly the different ways we all successfully celebrate our graduates”, said Kelly Carland of University of California, Irvine.

Here are some of the key takeaways the Roadshow attendees appreciated learning:

Partnering with School of Film students to support the video production aspects of the ceremony to reduce costs.
Experiencing different vendors in person was more impactful than the basic research that can be done from your desk.
Observing how each university embraces traditions at their school, which is inspiring to schools that hope to begin new traditions of their own.
Gathering a plethora of examples (and photos) to reference whenever university leadership brings on change.

“The SoCal Roadshow was a great opportunity to exchange ideas and share best practices”, said Carmela Arstill of California State University, Long Beach. The SoCal Roadshow participants were already close and share ideas from time to time due to the bonds they have made through NAACO. However, this in-person experience added another layer to our NAACO experience and resources. We encourage other NAACO members from around North America to connect with schools in your local area to create a roadshow of your own.

Register for The Fall Commencement Showcase

Register for the annual Fall Commencement Showcase and gain valuable insights on how to plan your commencement ceremonies more effectively. You’ll have the opportunity to hear from NAACO corporate partners about what they’ve learned from their extensive experience with ceremonies and gain cutting-edge insight on new commencement solutions.

NAACO Regional Virtual Open-Table Discussions

Melissa Picher Kelly
Director-at-Large, Membership, NAACO Board of Directors
Events and Experiential, British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)

On October 9, the Membership Committee hosted the first semiannual virtual regional round tables. We were pleased to welcome 84 attendees, across NAACO’s regions in eight breakout rooms. Our regional directors and assistant directors facilitated some excellent conversations. Thank you for helping us connect with our colleagues and stay tuned for your invite to the next virtual round tables session on March 12, 2025. To help us with our future planning, we hope you can complete our Interest Survey. Please reply by October 31.

NAACO Member Spotlight Interview Questions

Our next Member Spotlight is James Cuaresma from California State University, Los Angeles. He is the Senior Director of University Events and Protocol in the University Advancement department. James has been planning commencement for 10 years and served as a NAACO Regional Director and on our Board as Director-at-Large for Membership.

What do you love most about your work?: Putting together the complicated puzzle and seeing the end result.

What’s your best piece of advice for our NAACO community planning ceremonies and events?: Be fearless and confident. Planning commencement is not for the faint of heart and requires strong conviction and self-confidence. Even during difficult times, showing and exuding these traits helps lead teams and committees to execute the event.

What is a work challenge that keeps you up at night?: Lately, the ever-changing but greater demands of safety and security. Commencement directors are increasingly being asked to develop complex security responses without guidance or support from internal security experts.

What do you like to do for fun when you are not planning events?: I like to travel, eat, and watch a lot of movies.

Tell us a personality trait of yours that helps you succeed in your role?: My agreeableness. This allows me to connect with other departments and teams to help me make commencement happen.

What is your favorite guilty pleasure snack that gets you through the planning process?: Cookies and black coffee are essential during commencement. My staff provides me with fresh coffee every few hours and plates of cookies.

Share your favorite NAACO benefit.: I love the NAACO community and the annual conference. Both allow for organic but very meaningful interactions and conversations.

Does your team have something special you do after events to celebrate?: After commencement, a pitcher of margaritas has been the celebration of choice for my team.

How did you get involved in your current NAACO volunteer role?: At first, I got involved with the conference planning committee which led to my next volunteer role as Regional Director for the Southwest. After that, the next logical step was to get more involved and join the Board of Directors.

How do you find balance in your life as a commencement officer?: To not lead or plan any events outside of work. This helps me not be “on” all the time and allows me to relax a little.

What is something about you that might surprise people?: I studied and worked in film production prior to stepping into events, which has been transferable to this career.

Embrace Nature This Fall: Boost Your Wellbeing with the Beauty of the Season

Christine Le
Chair, NAACO Communications Committee
Senior Planner, Convocation & Advancement Events, York University

Image by teksomolika on Freepik

As the vibrant hues of autumn begin to emerge, there’s no better time to get outside and reap the many benefits of being in nature. Finding time for self-care can be challenging with the constant demands of modern work life. However, taking time to step outside and reconnect with nature can be a simple yet powerful way to restore balance. Whether it’s the crisp air, golden foliage, or the sound of rustling leaves, spending time outdoors during the fall season can significantly enhance your mental and physical wellbeing.

Autumn’s cooler weather and beautiful colors create a refreshing environment ideal for physical activity. It is easier to enjoy longer walks, hikes, or bike rides without the discomfort of overheating. Engaging in moderate exercise outdoors not only boosts cardiovascular health but can also stimulate the production of endorphins—the feel-good hormones that elevate your mood. Studies have shown that exercising outdoors in nature can also make tough exercise feel easier, according to a Washington Post article on why outdoor exercise is better for you than indoor exercise.

Outdoor activity doesn’t have to be strenuous to be effective though. Research has shown that just spending time in nature can reduce stress. According to an article from Forbes, spending just 20 minutes of contact with nature is enough time for significant decreases in cortisol, the stress hormone. Stepping away from screens and into nature can also provide mental clarity and reduce the burnout often associated with overworking. In a Pop Sugar article about the health impacts of nature and being outside, Dr. Eliassen, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Harvard, said “Exposure to green space results in mental restoration and increased positive emotions and decreased anxiety and rumination.”

Forest bathing is a form of nature-immersion therapy, where participants open their senses to connect with nature and boost mental well-being. It is suitable for all levels of fitness and can involve many activities in the forest, including walking, yoga, breathing exercises, eating, plant observation, etc. It is easy to see how being in a forest blanketed in reds, oranges, and yellows, feeling the cool breeze, and hearing leaves crunch underfoot can provide a sensory experience that can calm the mind.

So this fall, take advantage of the season’s natural beauty. Even if you only have a small amount of time to step outside and breathe in the crisp air, you’ll experience a lift in your mood and feel more refreshed to tackle your workday.

Welcome New Institutions!

NAACO is the only professional association for college and university commencement and convocation officers throughout North America. Only post-secondary institutions that handle commencement, convocation, and graduation ceremonies are welcome to join.

Affiliate members are the individuals of a member institution and can be added by the primary NAACO member. We look to engage with affiliate members on NAACO Connect, on social media sites, and at upcoming events, including hot topic calls, the annual conference, and regional meetings.

Let’s welcome these institutions that are new to NAACO:

Auburn University 1310 Wilmore Drive Foy Hall 118, Auburn, AL 36849	Durham College 2000 Simcoe St N, Oshawa, ON L1G0C5
Thomas Jefferson University 1015 Walnut Street, Suite 115, Philadelphia, PA 19107	University of New Haven 300 Boston Post Road, West Haven, CT 06516

Update From NAACO Headquarters

Immanuel Smith
Marketing Manager, NAACO

Hello NAACO Members!

I want to extend my sincere appreciation to our committee members for their unwavering dedication and enthusiasm in driving the NAACO forward. Your commitment is truly invaluable to our mission.

The recent regional round tables were a resounding success, thanks to the active engagement and participation of members like you. I would like to thank Melissa Pitcher for her exceptional efforts in making this event a reality.

Looking ahead, the Fall Commencement Showcase is swiftly approaching next month, and we strongly encourage you to register promptly to secure your spot for this pivotal event. At the Fall Commencement, you will glean invaluable insights from NAACO partners on enhancing the planning of your commencement ceremonies, benefit from their wealth of experience, and gain valuable insight into new commencement solutions.

Furthermore, preparations are well underway for the NAACO 2025 Annual Conference in February. HQ is excited to commemorate 25 years of NAACO excellence with our remarkable community of commencement officers. This significant milestone wouldn’t have been achievable without your steadfast support, and we eagerly anticipate connecting with you at this momentous event on February 9 – 12 in Long Beach, California.

If there’s anything we can assist you with, please don’t hesitate to let us know. You can contact HQ anytime at info@naaco.org.

Thank you for being a valued member of NAACO!