СŷÊÓƵ

СŷÊÓƵ Commencement

Wednesday, May 28, 2025 | 8:00 a.m.

Prudential Center | 25 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ

At СŷÊÓƵ, Commencement provides our students an opportunity to celebrate their academic achievements with family, friends, faculty, alumni, and the entire University community. The ceremony will recognize School of Business, College of Professional Studies, Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education, and the William J. Maxwell College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) and CAS/Education dual-degree recipients.

We will have ONE ceremony where undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students will come together to celebrate this incredible milestone.

Ceremony begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. Doors open at 6:50 a.m. 
All participants must be seated by 7:40 a.m.

Entry

Students: Enter through Citizens Bank Tower (Intersection of Mulberry Street and Edison Place).
Guests: Enter through the M&M Tower (Intersection of Mulberry Street and Lafayette Street). Guests DO NOT need an entry ticket, and all guests are welcome. There is no maximum number of guests per student.

Arena Policy: All guests are subject to security screening prior to entering Prudential Center. For safety reasons, the arena prohibits certain items from entering the facility. Guests in possession of prohibited items will be denied entry, or the items will be confiscated and not returned to the guest. 

• Size Limits: Bags larger than 12" x 14" are generally not permitted. 
• Exceptions: Medical and childcare bags are allowed. 
• Backpacks: Backpacks of any size are prohibited. 
• Security Screening: All bags are subject to security screening. 

Seating: Participants are required to be seated immediately upon arrival. If you are participating in Commencement and require special accommodations or if you have guests who need accommodations, please contact Jennifer Aitken (jaitken@njcu.edu) in the Office of Specialized Services and Supplemental Instruction at 201-200-2091.

We kindly ask that all guests remain seated until the conclusion of the Commencement Ceremony. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring a positive and memorable experience for all graduates.

Meeting Place: Immediately after the ceremony, students and guests must exit the Prudential Center.
No one will be allowed to remain or re-enter the lobby. Please plan to meet friends and relatives outside of the Prudential Center.

Information for Students

All undergraduate, graduate and doctoral participants must wear caps, gowns, hoods or stoles to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. Commencement participants were required to order their regalia. Caps and gowns are not distributed on the day of Commencement.

A hard copy of your Stage Pass (an electronic name card) is required to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. You can print your Stage Pass by signing into the .

National Anthem/Alma Mater: Graduates and guests are encouraged to participate in singing the National Anthem and Alma Mater.

Conferral of Degree: 
The University President will ask graduates to stand for conferral of degrees. After the degrees are conferred, please move tassels to the left.

• Doctoral Candidates
• School of Business
• College of Professional Studies
• Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education
• William J. Maxwell College of Arts & Sciences

Distribution of Diploma Cases: Your diploma case will be available at the conclusion of the Commencement Ceremony.

Distribution of Diplomas: Students cleared for Spring 2025 graduation will be notified via email in August 2025 once diplomas are available for pickup at the Registrar’s Office.

Certification: Participants who applied for State Certification in their area of study can obtain all information online, including certificate name, certificate ID number, date of issuance, and expiration date if applicable. Instructions to view this information can be found at Educator License Search (). To make certification information available more quickly, this information will appear on the above website in lieu of the issuance of paper certificates. The Bureau of Academic Credentials will not process applications for certification until the applicant has completed and passed their final course requirements.

Honorary Degree Recipients

Ambassador Julissa Reynoso Pantaleón
A pioneering leader in law, diplomacy, and public service, Ambassador Reynoso’s transformative journey from her roots in the Dominican Republic to the highest levels of global leadership exemplifies resilience and excellence. She has served as the U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, Chief of Staff to First Lady Jill Biden, and Co-Chair of the White House Gender Policy Council, advancing equity and inclusion worldwide. She previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay under the Obama Administration and served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. Reynoso’s academic achievements, including degrees from Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, and Columbia Law School, and her commitment to systemic change make her an inspiring figure for СŷÊÓƵ’s diverse, first-generation student body.

Former U.S. Senator George Helmy
A proud Jersey City native and a first-generation American, Senator Helmy has forged a groundbreaking path in public service. As one of only six Arab Americans to ever serve in the U.S. Senate and the first Coptic Christian in this role, Helmy’s leadership reflects a deep commitment to equity, community, and civic engagement. Helmy was the longest-serving Chief of Staff to a New Jersey Governor and also previously served as the State Director to U.S. Senator Cory Booker. His educational background, including degrees from Rutgers University and Harvard University, and his dedication to bridging cultural and political divides align with СŷÊÓƵ’s mission to empower underrepresented voices. Helmy’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact of opportunity, perseverance, and service in building inclusive communities.