MARCH 6–7, 2026
2026 WGU Commencement in New Orleans
2026 WGU Commencement in New Orleans – Morning Ceremony
(Spanish) 2026 WGU Commencement in New Orleans – Morning Ceremony
2026 WGU Commencement in New Orleans – Afternoon Ceremony
(Spanish) 2026 WGU Commencement in New Orleans - Afternoon Ceremony
Alumni Celebration*
Friday, March 6
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Champions Square
Lasalle Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Commencement*
Saturday, March 7
Morning Ceremony
Graduate Check-in: 8:30 am
Ceremony start: 9:30 am
Afternoon Ceremony
Graduate Check-in: 12:30 pm
Ceremony start: 1:30 pm
Smoothie King Center
1501 Dave Dixon Drive
New Orleans, LA 70113
*Details Subject to Change
Have questions? Ask Cappy!
Text "Hi" to 1-855-646-1986 or scan the QR code below:
RSVP Information
RSVP Closed
Additional Information
New Orleans Deadlines:
- RSVP
Deadline: Closed - Graduate Speaker Application
Deadline: Closed - Anthem Singer Audition
Deadline: Closed
- Cap & Gown Ordering
Deadline: Closed
New Orleans Details:
Learn More About Commencement Day
Watch this video to see what a typical in-person commencement day looks like for a graduate.
Parking
Parking is $30 per vehicle. Parking is Available in the Champions Garage for both days, as well as garage 2 and Garage 5. For ADA Parking and Oversized vehicles, please park in Lot 3.
Prepay is available for parking.
Friday, March 6 Alumni Celebration Parking:
Saturday March 7 Commencement Parking:
Bag Policy
All bags must be clear and fit within 12" x 6" x 12"orclutches that fit within 6.5" x 4.5"
Keynote Speaker
Marc J. Spears
Senior Writer, ESPN’sAndscape| Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee
Marc J. Spears is a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and the recipient of the prestigious 2023 Curt Gowdy Media Award. As a senior writer for ESPN’sAndscape, Marc is widely regarded as one of the most influential storytellers in sports, celebrated for elevating narratives at the vital intersection of basketball, culture, race, and humanity.
With over 27 seasons of NBA coverage, Marc’s award-winning journalism has shaped the conversation atYahoo! Sports,The Boston Globe, andThe Denver Post. Beyond the page, he is a fixture on ESPN’sNBA TodayandSportsCenter, a co-host of Hulu’sThe Conversation Project, and a featured voiceinNetflix’sStarting 5.
A true polymath, Marc also serves as a Wine Ambassador for Kendall-Jackson and has co-produced the award-winning documentaryKatrina Cop in the Superdome. He holds a Master’s in Sports Business Management from LSU and an Honorary Doctorate from Langston University, reflecting a career built on depth, authenticity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Morning Ceremony Graduate Speakers
Hannah Buchanan
Hannah Buchanan is a wife, mother,grandmother, bornand bredTexan, and most recently a WesternGovernorsUniversitygraduate.
Aftera challengingupbringing and early strugglesthrough life, finishing collegewasn’tan optionforHannah. In 2021, following what she jokinglyreferredto as an “18-yearspringbreak,” Hannah decided to give college another try and enrolled at Western Governors University. There, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management in October 2025and acted as a student speakerforher fellow Night Owls at the March 2026 commencement ceremony.
Hannah currently serves as an Inflight Learning Instructor for Southwest Airlines, where she helps aspiring flight attendants navigate training and launch successful careers. She splits her time between the Dallas-FortWorthmetroplex and the Texas Panhandle.
Hannah credits her life, family, and career achievements to Jesus Christ, believing that through His redemption, anything is possible. Whenshe’snot working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters at Disney World, reading, sewing, and shopping.
Jacobi Mitchell
Jacobi Mitchelloriginallyhails fromthe Bahamas,and most recently Floridabringing a uniquely disciplined andresilient background to his academic and professional journey.
A former elite athletein track and fieldwho competed at world-class and Olympic-caliber levels, Jacobi learned earlyontheprinciples andimportance of preparation, perseverance, and performing underpressurethatlater guidedhistransition intoa career intechnology and cybersecurity. He is earning his Master of Science inCybersecurity and Information Assurance from Western Governors University to formally align his lifelong passion for technology with his leadership experience,and to deepen his abilityto protect organizations in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
While pursuing his degree, Jacobi balanced demanding professional responsibilities, leadership growth, and family life, navigating personal loss and major life transitions that further strengthened his resolve. The flexibility and competency-based modelthat WGUoffers allowed him to continue advancing academically while workingfull-time in the cybersecurity field.
Jacobi currently serves as an Information Security Engineering Manager in the healthcare sector;where he leads teams responsible for identity, endpoint, email, and cloudsecurity andhelpsshape enterprise-wide security strategy.
Outside of work and academics, Jacobi enjoys fitness, continuous learning, mentoring others in technology, and spending time with his family. Heremainsdeeply committed to personal growth, leadership, and using his skills to make a meaningful impact both professionally andpersonallyin his community.
Afternoon Ceremony Graduate Speakers
Katelin Krause
Katelin Krause, is a dedicated educator currently based in Southern Illinois. Driven by a passion for higher education and a desire to share her knowledge with others, Katelin found Western Governors University to be the ideal fit for her to pursueaMaster’sDegree in Teaching. With her deep commitment to accessibility and inclusion, Katelin found a way to better serve students with diverse learning needsthrough her coursework and learnings.
Her academic journey was marked by significant transitions, including moving four times while balancing a diverse array of seasonal roles; these experiences ranged from serving as a lifeguard at her local water parkandthe Aquatic Zoo, to sharing cinematic history as a tour guide at the iconicA Christmas StoryHouse and Museum.
Katelin now channels her love of teaching into her careerand finds deep fulfillment in being an active member of her community. A true lover of extremes, she counts a Minnesota winter as her favorite season, finding a unique beauty in frozen lakes and a distinct calmness in frigid temperatures. In addition to her background in competitive swimming and figure skating, Katelin is an avid snowboarder and backpacker who is always looking for the next adventure.
Makiya Newman
Makiya Newman,a 2026 graduate speaker in New Orleans,originally from Arkansas andnowTexaslocal,earned her Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management from WGU. Shepursuedthis degreeto strengthenher leadership skills andexpandher impact on maternal and postpartum care.
While completing her graduate studies, Makiya balanced the demands of new motherhood and nursing leadership, an experience that further shaped her passion for advocacy, equity, and compassionate care for women and families. She works as anursesupervisor on a mother/baby unit at Baylor Scott & White Health, where she focuses on team development, patient safety, and quality improvement initiatives.
Outside of work and school, Makiya enjoys volunteering in youth and women’s organizations and spending meaningful time with her husband,Eric, anddaughter, Madisyn.
Morning National Anthem Singer
Za'hra Dabon
Za’hraDabon islocal toLouisianaand most recentlyearningher Bachelor of Science in Special and Elementary Education (duallicensure) from Western Governors University.
Early in life,Za’hrafaced challenges that made it difficultfor herto connectin the classroomandalsoled herdoubtingherownabilities.Za’hrasimply did not know what she was capable of until aseventhgradeteacher, Mrs. Ruppert, helped her believein herself. By recognizingZa’hra’sstrengths and supporting her growth, Mrs. RuppertalsohelpedZa’hraearn her first“A” gradeand inspired her to become aneducator herself.
Za’hrahas sincespent the past ten years working as a paraprofessionalandalsoearned her associate degree in 2014. After struggling to balance full-time work and returning to school, she found her path forward at WGU, where her professional experience allowed her to acceleratethrough her coursework andinto her teaching career.
Deeply rooted in her faith in Christ and love for her family—values nurtured by her mother, Theresa—Za’hraenjoys music, worship, and spending time with her cherishedlovedones.
Afternoon National Anthem Singer
Alisha Glover
Alisha is graduating with a Master of Science in Management andLeadership;a degree she pursued to deepen her strategicexpertisein organizational development and human capital. She navigated the rigors of this accelerated program while servingat the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), recently earning a permanent promotion to Chief Learning Officer,after successfully leading her division through a significant government restructuring.
Inaddition to her federal leadership duties, Alisha is a certifiedexecutive andlifecoach currentlyfinalizingher PersonalCertifiedCoach (PCC)credential. She also serves as a Director of Music for her church and is a two-time published author, professional vocalist, songwriter, and producer. Alisha owns a small business specializing inconsulting and the artsand is a devoted mom to a“spicy”chihuahuanamed Keanu.
Hotel Discounts
Hotel Discounts No Longer Available.
Alumni Celebration in New Orleans
Kick off your commencement weekend with this exclusive alumni celebration in honor of our graduates!
All graduates attending the 2026 WGU Commencement in New Orleans are invited to join us for the Alumni Celebration at Champions Square!
This family-friendly, come-and-go event is free to attend, and we encourage graduates and guests to dress in business attire.
At the celebration, you can:
- Free professional portraits (graduates only): Elevate your LinkedIn profile with a free professional portrait- courtesy of WGU!
- Meet with local employers for career opportunities.
- Reconnect with Alumni in your area.
- Visit our affiliated partnership booths to receive career advice, purchase WGU swag, pick up your WGU Philanthropy Cord, and more.
- Take photos in our social photo booth and share using #WGUgrad.
- Meet Sage the Night Owl
- Enjoy light appetizers, refreshments, and self-pay bars.
- Hit the dance floor or play family-friendly games with a fun WGU twist.
Come for the networking, stay for the fun.
*Please note: 2026 New Orleans graduates are allowed to bring up to six (6) total guests.
Date:March 6, 2026
Time:6:00 - 9:00 pm
Location:
Champions Square
Lasalle Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Contact Information
91Ƭ Alumni Celebration contact:alumnievents@wgu.edu .
91Ƭ Alumni Celebration accessibility:alumnievents@wgu.edu
91Ƭ Commencement questions:commencement@wgu.edu
Parking Information
Parking is $30 per vehicle. Parking is Available in the Champions Garage for both days, as well as garage 2 and Garage 5. For ADA Parking and Oversized vehicles, please park in Lot 3.
Prepay is available for parking.
Friday, March 6 Alumni Celebration Parking:
Frequently Asked Questions
- Commencement Ceremony FAQs
- Ceremony Participation and RSVP FAQs
- Regalia FAQs
- 91Ƭ Philanthropy Cord FAQs
- Letter of Invitation for Abroad & Commencement Announcements FAQs
- Graduation Application and Diploma FAQs
Commencement Ceremony FAQs
A commencement guidebook with check-in details, parking, maps, and more will be loaded onto the and emailed to each graduate two weeks prior to the ceremony.
When registering for a commencement weekend, a graduate may choose the ceremony time that fitstheir needs bestas long asthe event has not reached capacity.All options can be seen at the event-specific registration link.
All schools willparticipatein each ceremony.
Due tovaryingspace limitations, Alumni Celebration and Commencement guest countpoliciesare different.Please refer to the specific guest count policy on the weekend-specific pagefor further information.
AlumniCelebration:
Guest capacitiesare implemented at alumni celebration events to accommodate as many graduates as possible while allowing everyone to enjoy the festivities with their loved ones.Guest capacities may be adjusted based on venue size and availability.
For the alumni celebrations in New Orleans, New York, Louisville, and Minneapolis graduates are invited to bring up to 6 guests.
For the alumni celebrations in Seattle, Atlanta, andAnaheim,graduatesare invited to bring up to 4 guests.
Commencement:Guests are recommended to bring up to 8 guests to ensure our eventdoesn’treach venuecapacity.
Tickets are notrequiredto enter thecommencementceremonies in New Orleans, Louisville, Minneapolis, and Anaheim.
Tickets will berequiredforthecommencement ceremoniesinElmont, New York at UBS Arena,Atlanta, Georgia at Gas South Arenaand in Seattle, Washington at Climate Pledge Arena.Event-specific ticketing information will be provided8 weeksprior to the event.
The names of graduates who physically attend an in-person commencement will be read as they cross the stage. All Virtual Commencement participants’ names will be read during the Virtual ceremony.
No. Graduates are called to the stage by schools and not in alphabetical order.
Please arrive dressed in your cap and gown for the commencement ceremony. Due to the number of graduates andpreciseschedule, it is not practical to change into regalia at the venue.
*This may be adjusted according to venue requirements.Additionalinformation will be included in the Commencement Guidebookand on the event-specific website.
You can watch the commencement ceremony on the at any point after the start of the ceremony.
The commencement photos will be available approximately 2-3 weeks after the ceremony. Those photos will be available for viewing at
Did you know that WGU Alumni have access to hundreds of discounts? Log in to to search for deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.
Ceremony Participation and RSVP FAQs
There is not a time limit on when a graduate may walk in a commencement. Graduates may only participate in one commencement ceremony per degree program completed.
Generally,commencementceremonieslastapproximately90 minutes.
Yes,ceremonies have capacitylimits. Wesuggest that yousubmitan RSVP to your desired ceremony as soon as you are eligible.
Please review the located in the student handbook, which outlines student eligibility to attend commencement. If you have additional questions, you can contact the Commencement Office at commencement@wgu.edu.
Graduates who wish to participate in an in-person or virtual commencement ceremony must meet eligibility requirements and register for their desired event.
Eligibility Guidelines
- Students must have submitted their Graduation Application for the completion of their degree program OR
- Students must have only their final course remaining, such as capstone or final certification, with the exception of direct hours for field experience or demonstration teaching.
- Students who meet the above final course requirements may submit an email tocommencement@wgu.edu with "Final Course" in the subject line along with desired commencement ceremony.
- Once eligibility has been confirmed the student or graduate MUST submit an RSVP via the commencement .
If you don’t currently meet either of these requirements, wait to RSVP until one of the requirements is met.
No, the graduation application process is separate from submitting a RSVP to a Commencement Weekend. If the Commencement Office has granted a final course exemption and you have RSVP’d to your desired ceremony you do not have to have your graduation application submitted to walk at Commencement.
Yes. The ceremony RSVP form is a separate process from the graduation application. The completion of the ceremony RSVP form reserves your seat at commencement and generates yourinformation on aname readingcardforthe announcer.
After a graduate submits the ceremony RSVP form, a confirmation email is automatically sent to the email address listed on the completed RSVP form. Please check your junk inbox. If you do not see a confirmation email for your ceremony RSVP, please contact us at commencement@wgu.edu with additional questions.
No. Once registration has closed, no late additions, including day-of(walk-up)will bepermitted.Registration for allin-personcommencement events ends one month prior to the event date, and registration for virtual ceremonies ends
No. As of January 2022, a graduate may participate in one ceremony per degree, either a virtual or in-person ceremony.
AStagePassisa digital QR codeissued to each graduate registered for an in-personceremonythe week of commencement.Itcontainsthe information that willbe displayedon the screen as your name isread,and you cross the stage.To access theirStagePassat the ceremony, graduates will need their phone with them at graduate check-in and as they cross the stage.
YourStagePasswill be emailed to youon Monday andFriday,the week ofthecommencementweekend.If you do not receive it, please contact the Commencement Office atcommencement@wgu.eduwith the subject line, “StagePassNot Received”.
We will send commencement updates to the email address you entered on your RSVP form.
Regalia FAQs
91Ƭ works withofficial regalia vendorBalfour(caps, gowns, tassels, hoods,stoles). Ordering willopen at the end of 2025for all 2026ceremonies.Regalia ordering can be found.
For bachelor’s degree, post-baccalaureate teacher programs, or endorsement preparation program (English Language Learning), you should order a cap, bachelor's gown, and tassel.
For those earning a master's degree or endorsement preparation program (Educational Leadership), you should order a cap, master's gown, tassel, and a master's hood.
Clickto see a tutorial on how to wear your cap & gown the day of commencement.
The following master’s hoods are available for purchasefromour regalia vendorBalfour.
Education -Blue
Business (all MBAs) -Drab
Technology -Gold
Nursing –Apricot
Integrated Healthcare Management -Salmon
Master of Health Leadership -Sage green
91Ƭ works withofficialcommencementgoods vendorBalfourforadditionalcommencement goods and announcements. Visit them at https://www.balfour.com/wgu to see theirselection.
Prior to the conferral of degrees, bachelor's degree graduates weartheirtassel on the right while master's degree graduates wear their tassel on the left for the entire commencement ceremony.
A graduate should wear academic attireappropriate tothe awarded degree. The master's gown differs from a bachelor's gown. If you already have a cap and tassel, you can order amaster'sgown as an individual item onour commencement vendor’s website.Please note that the academic attire for a master's graduate includes a cap, tassel, master's gown, and hood.
Yes, WGU graduates affiliated with an honor society may wear society pins or honor cords/sashes/stoles torepresenttheir academic achievements, affiliations, or identityon their gowns.
Teacher graduates affiliated with the WGU chapter of theinternational honor societyof Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) may order honor cords at.
Graduates who are members of The National Society of Leadership andSuccessmay wear honor cordsindicatingthis affiliation.
91Ƭ graduates who are veterans or active-duty military will be provided with a military honor cord. For virtual commencements, cords will be shipped to the address provided on their RSVP. For in-person commencements, cords will be picked up atthe Alumni Celebration or at Commencementduringgraduate check-in. On your RSVP form, please mark that you are a veteran or active duty.
Graduates arepermittedto decorate theirgraduationcaps. Take into consideration the following if decorating your cap for commencement:
91Ƭ does not allow content on caps or sashes that is considered, in WGU’s sole discretion, obscene, vulgar, defamatory, hateful, inappropriate, profane or that might disregard another’s copyright or third-party rights. All decorations must lie flat on the cap.
91Ƭ Philanthropy Cord FAQs
The WGU Philanthropy Cord is a blue and gold cord for graduates to wear with their cap and gownatCommencement. ThePhilanthropyCord isaphysical symbol of a graduate’s commitment to WGU,and,more importantly,supports aphilanthropiclegacy that will last for future generations of WGUstudents.
- Mail:If you order more than four weeks prior to your commencement ceremony, we will mail your cord to you at the address you specify. Alternatively, you may elect to pick up your cord in-person.
- In-Person:Visit the91Ƭ Advancement tableat your commencement site (Check-in or Alumni Celebration).
- Virtual:We will mail your cord to the address provided during your donation.
100% of your gift goes to theNight Owl Scholarship Fund, which provides direct financial assistance to WGU students who need a final boost to finish their degrees.
For in-person commencements,you may choose to have yourPhilanthropyCordmailed to you orpickedupat Commencementby visiting the WGU Advancement table at the Alumni Celebration or during graduate check-in beforeCommencement.
For virtual commencements,PhilanthropyCords will be mailed prior to the ceremony date.
91Ƭ Advancementis dedicatedtoattracting,allocating, and putting dollars toworkso more students have access to an affordable, quality education.Weprovidea meaningful way for alumni, donors, and partnersto “pay it forward” and invest in the future of education.
ASustaining Supporteris a donor who provides ongoing impact through a recurring gift. For as little as$3 a month, you can help ensure that the "bridge" to graduation remains open for every student who follows you.
Yes! Every dollar helps remove barriers for students. Whether it is a one-time gift or a recurring monthly contribution, your generosity directly impacts student success.
Letter of Invitation for Abroad & Commencement Announcements FAQs
Yes, students may send an email torecords@wgu.eduwith the family member's full name, relationship to the student, and foreign address. Once provided, the Records Department will prepare documentscontaininginformation about the commencement and student's earned degree. These prepared letters will then be sent to the student toforwardthem to the correct parties. It may take 5-10 business days for the letters to be mailed to the student.
91Ƭ works withofficialannouncements andcommencementgoodsvendorBalfour. Ordering will open at the end of 2025for all 2026ceremonies.
Announcements can be foundonBalfour
Graduation Application and Diploma FAQs
Visit thein the student handbook for the most current information on how to apply for graduation.
Visit the in the student handbook for the most current information on how to receive your diploma.
No, please leave your diploma at home.You will receive a complimentary diploma cover at the end of the commencement ceremony.
