Description
New Strategies To Enhance & Exceed Participant & Guest Experiences
For graduates and their families, it’s the moment they’ve been waiting for: a celebration for years of hard work. For institutions, it’s a powerful opportunity to reflect their mission, values, and pride. Yet behind the scenes, commencement planning is one of the most complex, high-stakes events on campus—often managed by small teams juggling limited resources, evolving expectations, and the challenge of staying relevant to today’s diverse audiences.
In a rapidly changing environment, “the way we’ve always done it” no longer works. From accessibility to technology to social media, every element of the modern ceremony shapes not only how your graduates feel, but also how your institution is remembered.
Join our expert presenter as she shares proven strategies, creative insights, and real-world examples that will help you design a commencement experience your institution will be proud to host—one that celebrates achievement, fosters belonging and strengthens your university’s reputation.
Whether you’re new to commencement coordination or a seasoned professional seeking fresh inspiration, you’ll leave equipped to produce a memorable, meaningful, and modern celebration of student success. Transform commencement from a logistical challenge into a signature institutional event.
Topics Covered
Gain valuable insights that will help you to:
- Incorporate emerging trends to meet the needs of all graduates and guests, ensuring that every participant feels seen, valued and celebrated.
- Use digital tools and creative media to engage audiences, capture memories, and create innovative new rituals that honor your institution’s mission while delivering a true “wow factor.”
- Move beyond routine planning to rediscover the “why” behind the event—align ceremony design with institutional pride, identity and connection.
- Break down silos by engaging internal partners, vendors, and volunteers to streamline operations, reduce stress, and share ownership of success.
- Anticipate challenges before they arise and deploy proactive communication strategies that protect your university’s image and enhance the guest experience.
- Learn to blend tradition and innovation—create a ceremony that leaves graduates and guests inspired, proud and talking long after the confetti settles.
Presenter
Melissa Goitia, CSEP is currently the Executive Director of the Office of University Events & Protocol and the Office of University Ceremonies at Arizona State University and co-founder of the North American Association of Commencement Officers (NAACO).
Click here for full bio.
Included When You Purchase
- 75 or 90-minute online session with carefully selected expert(s)
- Unlimited access to view session recording for two years
- Materials for your team (handouts, discussion questions, etc.)
- Certificate of completion for each participant
Instructions for access are available immediately upon checkout. You may share this On-Demand Training with any staff members from your campus community. For information about licensing this training for unlimited distribution on your institution’s internal network/server, email info@paper-clip.com.
