APRIL 24鈥25, 2026
2026 WGU Commencement in New York
Morning Ceremony 鈥
2026 WGU Commencement in New York
(Spanish) Morning Ceremony 鈥
2026 WGU Commencement in New York
Afternoon Ceremony 鈥
2026 WGU Commencement in New York
(Spanish)听Afternoon Ceremony 鈥
2026 WGU Commencement in New York
Morning Ceremony Graduate Speakers
Divine Oshideko
Divine听Oshideko听is an Enterprise Product Delivery Coach, Transformation Leader, and host of听Trybe听Talk, a leadership and transformation platform focused on connecting听good ideas听with good people to drive meaningful impact. With extensive experience leading agile transformations and coaching teams across industries, he has contributed to major initiatives and policy development within multiple Fortune 100 organizations. Divine is passionate about fostering environments where innovation听thrives听and individuals feel empowered to grow.
Originally from Nigeria, Divine鈥檚 journey to the United States is rooted in resilience, courage, and continuous growth. After navigating work environments that lacked psychological safety, he chose to redefine his path through learning, leadership, and purpose. Recently, he earned his Master of Science in Information Technology Management from Western Governors听University,听a milestone that marks a full-circle moment in his personal and professional transformation. Through听Trybe听Talk听and his work, Divine inspires others to lead with compassion, create safe and empowering spaces, and use their journey as a platform to uplift those around them.
Regina Myers
Regina Myers is a nurse with听nearly 16听years of experience serving her community. She began her nursing career after earning an associate鈥檚 degree in nursing at age 33 and later returned to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing.听
She plans to continue her education to become a nurse practitioner, building on her experience in patient care and her commitment to improving lives of those in need.
Regina is听an alumnus听of the Silver Foxes, where she serves as corresponding secretary. A mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, she听hopes to leave a lasting impact on her family and community through her work and service.
Afternoon Ceremony Graduate Speakers
Monica Vargas
Monica Vargas is a first-generation graduate earning a master鈥檚 degree in educational leadership from Western Governors University. She serves as a sixth-grade math teacher at Jenks Middle School in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where she has taught for six years.
Monica pursued leadership after experiencing both the impact of supportive administrators and the challenges of disconnect within educational systems. She is committed to bridging gaps between students, teachers and leadership, and to addressing policies that create barriers to success.
During her undergraduate studies, Monica experienced the loss of her mother and faced her own battle with cancer. She remained committed to her education, drawing on those experiences to shape her approach to teaching and leadership.
After graduation, Monica plans to pursue a leadership role within her district and will continue serving the Pawtucket community. She is focused on supporting students and contributing to a more equitable and connected education system.
Shawnette Jones
Shawnette听Jones听is a dynamic leader with听more than听a decade of experience in operations and management. She serves as the听Social Media Governance听and听Compliance Lead at Vanguard,听where she navigates听complex regulatory听environments.听She also听serves as the鈥疦ational Operations Officer for Sigma Chi Psi Sorority, Inc., overseeing the organization's operational framework听and advancing its mission of sisterhood.
An entrepreneur, Shawnette is听the founder and听CEO of Stay Fabulous Consulting,听where she听advises听small businesses听on strategy and alignment, and leads听Stay Fab Travel,听a venture focused on听curated听luxury听travel听experiences.听She is also the founder听of Under Her Brim, a platform听that supports survivors of domestic violence and fosters dialogue around women鈥檚 issues.听In addition, she serves on the boards of two organizations, supporting local and community听initiatives.
Shawnette earned a Bachelor of Science in听business听management听from Western Governors University.听A Pennsylvania resident, she听is a proud听mother and grandmother听who enjoys听travel,听golf, and听Philadelphia听sports,听Go Birds!听She听believes leadership and lifelong learning go hand in hand and is听committed听to empowering others at every stage of life.听
National Anthem Singers
Catherine Gilman
Catherine Gilman serves as听Branch听Director and听Trainer for the Boys & Girls Club of Thurston County, where she supports youth development by helping children build essential life and social-emotional skills and mentoring staff. She is committed to empowering young people and developing future leaders in youth development.听
Catherine earned a听master's degree in educational technology听and听instructional听design from Western Governors University听and also听holds a bachelor's degree from the university.听She studied vocal performance at Pacific Lutheran University, where her lifelong passion for music began.
听She is honored to perform the national anthem at this year's commencement ceremony and听thanks听her family for their unwavering love and support, especially her husband, whose encouragement made this achievement possible.
Haniyah Bey
Haniyah Bey is a multidisciplinary artist from New Jersey with a focus on music, visual art, fashion, dance, and songwriting. She is also the owner of Arabella Adornments, where she designs and handcrafts crochet pieces.
Haniyah served as alumni trustee representative on her alma mater鈥檚 board of trustees and was recognized as one of the 鈥淐lass of 2025 30 Under 40 Black Leaders of South Jersey鈥 by Front Runner New Jersey. She is pursuing a career in video game design and is committed to creating better representation for minorities, including Muslim women.
She earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in IT management from Western Governors University, graduating on an accelerated timeline after completing high school at 15 and community college at 18. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and cat, Twyla.
Honorary Degree Recipients
Jay Timmons
President and CEO, National Association of Manufacturers听
Jay Timmons is president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, the largest manufacturing association in the United States and the most influential voice for the听13 million men听and women who make things in America.
One of the longest-serving trade association CEOs in the country, Jay is a trusted leader among business and political circles alike鈥攚idely recognized for helping manufacturers achieve the policy wins that have shaped the American economy over the past decade. Under his leadership, the NAM has doubled in size and delivered landmark victories, including historic tax reform, regulatory modernization, landmark investment in infrastructure and reshaped the听perception听of manufacturing and manufacturing careers in the U.S.
Jay has also built the NAM into a full-scale platform for the industry, expanding legal advocacy, strengthening its voice in the courts and the public square, and advancing workforce programs that are now national models. As chair of the Manufacturing Institute, he has led efforts to close the skills gap and connect more Americans with careers in modern manufacturing.
Jay鈥檚 leadership is grounded in the NAM鈥檚 founding values: free enterprise, competitiveness, individual听liberty听and equal opportunity.
Deborah Quazzo
Managing Partner, GSV Ventures听
Co-founder, ASU+GSV Summit听
Deborah Quazzo is the Managing Partner of GSV Ventures, a venture fund investing in education and workforce skills technologies that are disrupting the $7 trillion global sector. The fund invests globally - primarily in the US and India. Ms. Quazzo has been named to Insider's list of top 100 seed investors three times. In addition, she is co-founder of the ASU+GSV Summit, the preeminent gathering of leaders in education and workforce skilling. Now in its 17th year, the ASU+GSV Summit celebrates innovations and innovators, and attracts over 7,000 leaders from "PreK to Gray" education and workforce skills. Ms. Quazzo serves on the boards of Ascend Learning, Degreed, Dreamscape Learn, Ellucian, Kyron Learning, Turnitin and Uplimit. She is a member of the board of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. She serves on the GEMS Global Schools Prize Council and The Dean's Leadership Council Advisory Committee at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Deborah graduated cum laude with a BA in history from Princeton University in 1982 and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1987. She and her husband Stephen live in Chicago and have three children and three grandchildren.听
Alumni Celebration*
Friday, April 24, 2026
6:00 - 9:00 pm
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111th St, Corona, NY 11368
Commencement*
Saturday, April 25, 2026
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
UBS Arena
2400 Hempstead Turnpike
Elmont NY, 11003
*Details Subject to Change
Have questions? Ask Cappy!
Text "Hi" to听1-866-670-0697听 or scan the QR code below:
RSVP Closed
Additional Information
New York Deadlines:
- RSVP
Deadline: Closed - Graduate Speaker Application听
Deadline: Closed - Anthem Singer Audition
Deadline: Closed
- Cap & Gown Ordering听
Deadline: Closed
New York 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 at UBS arena is $25 per vehicle, UBS Arena is a cashless venue.
Bag Policy
Details Coming Soon
Alumni Celebration in New York
Kick off your commencement weekend with this exclusive alumni celebration in honor of our graduates!
All graduates attending the 2026 WGU Commencement in New York are invited to join us for the Alumni Celebration at the New York Hall of Science!
This family-friendly, come-and-go event is free to attend, and we encourage graduates and guests to dress in business attire.听听
At the celebration, you can:听
- Free professional portraits听(graduates only): Elevate your LinkedIn profile with a free professional portrait- courtesy of WGU!
- Meet with local employers for career opportunities.听
- 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.听
- Take photos in our social photo booth and share using #WGUgrad.
- Meet Sage the Night Owl听
- Enjoy light appetizers, refreshments, and self-pay bars.
- Hit the dance floor or play family-friendly games with a fun WGU twist.听
Come for the networking, stay for the fun.
*Please note: 2026 New York graduates are allowed to bring up to six (6) total guests.
听
听
Date:听April 24, 2026
Time:听6:00 - 9:00 pm
Location:
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111th St, Corona, NY 11368
Contact Information听
91制片厂 Alumni Celebration contact:听alumnievents@wgu.edu .听
91制片厂 Alumni Celebration accessibility:听alumnievents@wgu.edu
91制片厂 Commencement questions:听commencement@wgu.edu
Parking Information
Parking will be available, but limited, on-site at the New York Hall of Science at a first come first served basis. While parking is complimentary, please inform the attendant upon arrival that you are attending the private WGU Alumni Celebration.听
Frequently Asked Questions
- Commencement Ceremony FAQs
- Ceremony Participation and RSVP FAQs
- Regalia FAQs
- 91制片厂 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.听
When registering for a commencement weekend, a graduate may choose the ceremony time that fits听their needs best听as long as听the event has not reached capacity.听All options can be seen at the event-specific registration link.听
All schools will听participate听in each ceremony.听
Due to听varying听space limitations, Alumni Celebration and Commencement guest count听policies听are different.听Please refer to the specific guest count policy on the weekend-specific page听for further information.听
Alumni听Celebration:听听
Guest capacities听are implemented at alumni celebration events to accommodate as many graduates as possible while allowing everyone to enjoy the festivities with their loved ones.听Guest capacities may be adjusted based on venue size and availability.听
For the alumni celebrations in New Orleans, New York, Louisville, and Minneapolis graduates are invited to bring up to 6 guests.听
For the alumni celebrations in Seattle, Atlanta, and听Anaheim,听graduates听are invited to bring up to 4 guests.听
Commencement:听Guests are recommended to bring up to 8 guests to ensure our event听doesn鈥檛听reach venue听capacity.听
Tickets are not听required听to enter the听commencement听ceremonies in New Orleans, Louisville, Minneapolis, and Anaheim.
Tickets will be听required听for听the听commencement ceremonies听in听Elmont, New York at UBS Arena,听Atlanta, Georgia at Gas South Arena听and in Seattle, Washington at Climate Pledge Arena.听Event-specific ticketing information will be provided听8 weeks听prior to the event.听听
The names of graduates who physically attend an in-person commencement will be read as they cross the stage. All Virtual Commencement participants鈥 names will be read during the Virtual ceremony.听
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 and听precise听schedule, it is not practical to change into regalia at the venue.
*This may be adjusted according to venue requirements.听Additional听information will be included in the Commencement Guidebook听and 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
听
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,听commencement听ceremonies听last听approximately听90 minutes.
Yes,听ceremonies have capacity听limits. We听suggest that you听submit听an 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.听
Eligibility Guidelines听 听
- 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.听
- Students who meet the above final course requirements may submit an email to听commencement@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 .听 听
If you don鈥檛 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鈥檇 to your desired ceremony you do not have to have your graduation application submitted to walk at Commencement.
Yes. The鈥痗eremony RSVP form鈥痠s a separate process from the graduation application. The completion of the ceremony RSVP form reserves your seat at commencement and generates your听information on a听name reading听card听for听the announcer.鈥
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听(walk-up)听will be听permitted.听Registration for all听in-person听commencement events ends one month prior to the event date, and registration for virtual ceremonies ends听
No. As of January 2022, a graduate may participate in one ceremony per degree, either a virtual or in-person ceremony.
A听StagePass听is听a digital QR code听issued to each graduate registered for an in-person听ceremony听the week of commencement.听It听contains听the information that will听be displayed听on the screen as your name is听read,听and you cross the stage.听To access their听StagePass听at the ceremony, graduates will need their phone with them at graduate check-in and as they cross the stage.
Your听StagePass听will be emailed to you听on Monday and听Friday,听the week of听the听commencement听weekend.听If you do not receive it, please contact the Commencement Office at听commencement@wgu.edu听with the subject line, 鈥淪tagePass听Not Received鈥.
We will send commencement updates to the email address you entered on your RSVP form.
Regalia FAQs
91制片厂 works with听official regalia vendor听Balfour听(caps, gowns, tassels, hoods,听stoles). Ordering will听open at the end of 2025听for all 2026听ceremonies.听Regalia ordering can be found听.听
For bachelor鈥檚 degree, post-baccalaureate teacher programs, or endorsement preparation program (English Language Learning), you should鈥痮rder a鈥痗ap, bachelor's gown, and tassel.听
For鈥痶hose earning a master's degree or endorsement preparation program (Educational Leadership), you should鈥痮rder a鈥痗ap, master's gown, tassel, and a master's hood.听
Click听听to see a tutorial on how to wear your cap & gown the day of commencement.听
The following master鈥檚 hoods are available for purchase听from听our regalia vendor听Balfour.听
Education -听Blue听
Business (all MBAs) -听Drab听
Technology -听Gold听
Nursing 鈥撎鼳pricot听
Integrated Healthcare Management -听Salmon听
Master of Health Leadership -听Sage green
91制片厂 works with听official听commencement听goods vendor听Balfour听for听additional听commencement goods and announcements. Visit them at https://www.balfour.com/wgu to see their听selection.听
Prior to the conferral of degrees, bachelor's degree graduates wear听their听tassel on the right while master's degree graduates wear their tassel on the left for the entire commencement ceremony.
A graduate should wear academic attire听appropriate to听the awarded degree. The master's gown differs from a bachelor's gown. If you already have a cap and tassel, you can order a听master's听gown as an individual item on听our commencement vendor鈥檚 website.听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 to听represent听their academic achievements, affiliations, or identity听on their gowns.听
Teacher graduates affiliated with the WGU chapter of the听international honor society听of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) may order honor cords at听.听听
Graduates who are members of The National Society of Leadership and听Success听may wear honor cords听indicating听this affiliation.
91制片厂 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 at听the Alumni Celebration or at Commencement听during听graduate check-in. On your RSVP form, please mark that you are a veteran or active duty.
Graduates are听permitted听to decorate their听graduation听caps. Take into consideration the following if decorating your cap for commencement:听
91制片厂 does not allow content on caps or sashes that is considered, in WGU鈥檚 sole discretion, obscene, vulgar, defamatory, hateful, inappropriate, profane or that might disregard another鈥檚 copyright or third-party rights. All decorations must lie flat on the cap.
91制片厂 Philanthropy Cord FAQs
The WGU Philanthropy Cord is a blue and gold cord for graduates to wear with their cap and gown听at听Commencement. The听Philanthropy听Cord is听a听physical symbol of a graduate鈥檚 commitment to WGU,听and,听more importantly,听supports a听philanthropic听legacy that will last for future generations of WGU听students.
- Mail:听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.听
- In-Person:听Visit the听91制片厂 Advancement table听at your commencement site (Check-in or Alumni Celebration).
- Virtual:听We will mail your cord to the address provided during your donation.
100% of your gift goes to the听Night Owl Scholarship Fund, which provides direct financial assistance to WGU students who need a final boost to finish their degrees.
For in-person commencements,听you may choose to have your听Philanthropy听Cord听mailed to you or听picked听up听at Commencement听by visiting the WGU Advancement table at the Alumni Celebration or during graduate check-in before听Commencement.听
For virtual commencements,听Philanthropy听Cords will be mailed prior to the ceremony date.
91制片厂 Advancement听is dedicated听to听attracting,听allocating, and putting dollars to听work听so more students have access to an affordable, quality education.听We听provide听a meaningful way for alumni, donors, and partners听to 鈥減ay it forward鈥 and invest in the future of education.听
A听Sustaining Supporter听is a donor who provides ongoing impact through a recurring gift. For as little as听$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 to听records@wgu.edu听with the family member's full name, relationship to the student, and foreign address. Once provided, the Records Department will prepare documents听containing听information about the commencement and student's earned degree. These prepared letters will then be sent to the student to听forward听them to the correct parties. It may take 5-10 business days for the letters to be mailed to the student.
91制片厂 works with听official听announcements and听commencement听goods听vendor听Balfour. Ordering will open at the end of 2025听for all 2026听ceremonies.听
Announcements can be found听on听Balfour听听听
Graduation Application and Diploma FAQs
Visit the听听in the student handbook for the most current information on how to apply for graduation.
Visit the鈥痠n the student handbook for the most current information on how to receive your diploma.听
No, please leave your diploma at home.听You will receive a complimentary diploma cover at the end of the commencement ceremony.听