Student Speaker Application Process

Graduating students who are interested in being the student speaker at their ceremony are encouraged to complete the nomination form and submit the following items to their academic advisor or email commencement@umassglobal.edu with 'COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER NOMINATION' in the subject line.* 

Nomination packets should include the following:

  • Completed nomination form
  • One-page cover letter
  • Resume
  • Brief letter of recommendation from either a full-time faculty member or academic advisor
  • Speech which includes:
    • No more than 750 words that can be read aloud in 3-5 minutes.
    • Insights into the successes and challenges you experienced while earning a college degree as an adult learner.
    • Description of how UMass Global helped you overcome any challenges and achieve your education goals.

Student speakers are selected based on the quality of their speech, as well as the information provided in their cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation. The student's grade point average and units completed toward degree completion are also taken into consideration. UMass Global reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to select the student speaker(s) for commencement regardless of the factors above.

*The submission deadline for the Winter 2025 Student Speaker application has passed. Information regarding the Summer 2026 Commencement Student Speaker process, along with the nomination form, will be posted in February 2026.

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Student Speaker Key Dates

The submission deadline for the upcoming Winter Commencement was Monday, October 6, 2025. Students can expect to receive a decision, whether selected or not, no later than Friday, October 24, 2025.

Winter Student Speaker: Amanda Marie Schoon

University of Massachusetts Global is proud to announce that our 2025 Winter Commencement speaker will be Amanda Marie Schoon. Ms. Schoon will be earning her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy degree from our School of Arts and Sciences. She is deeply committed to celebrating the dedication, resilience, and compassion of her peers, while sharing a message of hope and purpose that reflects the values our graduates have cultivated throughout their time at UMass Global. Ms. Schoon has witnessed firsthand the power of perseverance, empathy, and human connection while earning her degree. Balancing academic demands with personal health challenges, she relied on the guidance of professors, advisors, and the Office of Accessible Accommodations, and learned that resilience is not achieved alone. Ms. Schoon is excited to share her journey and insights with the Winter 2025 graduates at the ceremony in Sacramento, California.

Testimonial Consent

Student speaker applicants are encouraged to agree to the Photo/Video/Audio/Testimonial Consent Agreement by checking the "Yes" box on page 1 of the nomination form.

Photo/Video/Audio/Testimonial Consent Agreement:

I hereby consent to the use by University of Massachusetts Global/UMass Global of my image, quotation, testimonial, voice, or any combination thereof in (1) any video, photograph, audio tape, or print/digital publication described below; and (2) any video, photograph, audio tape, or publication reproduced either in whole or in part from the video, photograph, audio tape, or interview described below regardless of whether these materials are used for advertising, marketing, publicity, or any other purpose on behalf of the university.

In addition, I waive all claims to further compensation or damages based on the use of my image or voice, or both, by the university. I also waive any right to inspect or approve the finished photograph, video, audio tape, or publication.

I warrant that I am at least 18 years of age and that I am competent in my own name insofar as this is concerned. I further attest that I have read this consent form and fully understand its contents.