Commencement 2026

  • Congratulations, Class of 2026!

    We are proud of you and are honored to have been a part of your journey.

Spring 2026 Commencement
ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓÆµ Airlines Center, Sunday, May 3, 1 p.m. 

Graduate Final Details

The deadline for graduates to RSVP to attend the ceremony was April 24. 

Check-in

Check-in will be held in the Enrollment Services Building on Friday, May 1 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. OR in the ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓÆµ Airlines Center auxiliary gym the day of commencement from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 

Graduates must attend one of the two check-in sessions to pick up their "reader card" which will be handed to the person reading names as students cross the stage. The letter on the card indicates where you will group in the auxiliary gym in the ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓÆµ Airlines Center for the processional as well as important information for commencement photographers. Cards will be completed for graduates who submitted an RSVP to watch online and will be read once in person graduates have crossed the stage. 

After receiving your reader card, graduates should group around their letter in the auxiliary gym of the ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓÆµ Airlines Center NO LATER than 12:45 p.m. to begin the processional. Each college will be led by a flag bearer onto the arena floor. Please read through the How to Participate section for full details.

A coat rack is available in the auxiliary gym at the ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓÆµ Airlines Center, but please do not bring valuables or other items with you inside. You may not have coats, purses or bags with you during the ceremony unless they are smaller than 4.5 x 6.5 inches. Phones are allowed. 

Safety Procedures

For the safety and security of our graduates and guests, mandatory security screening by walk-through metal detectors will be in place. Screening stations will open at the main entrances to the arena beginning at 11:30 a.m. for guests, and a graduates only security entrance will open at the same time at the auxiliary gym entrance (see directional signs at the event). General admission guest seating will begin at noon. To ensure an efficient and positive experience for all, we ask that you and your guests: 

Following the ceremony, guests will be asked to leave the arena immediately to avoid congestion in the lobby. Please make plans to meet your guests on the sidewalk outside the ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓÆµ Airlines Center. 

Parking

Parking is available around the ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓÆµ Airlines Center (see map). Parking is also available in the Providence Hospital PS3 parking garage, but DO NOT park in the Providence Hospital surface lot, as this is reserved for hospital patrons and towing is strictly enforced. The Seawolf Shuttle will run from the Library lot (and the Fine Arts Building lot, if needed) to the ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓÆµ Airlines Center before the ceremony from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. then after the ceremony from 3-5 p.m. 

Guests

General admission seating will begin at noon. Tickets are required for all guests attending the ceremony. Graduates could claim up to six guest tickets when they RSVP'd and were to pick up their claimed tickets at the . 

Update 4/24/26—Graduates can pick up one additional guest ticket (for a total of seven general admission tickets). 

  • The additional guest ticket will be available for graduates to pick up at the Seawolf Store starting on Friday, April 24; OR
  • The Seawolf Store will be at check-in on May 1 at Enrollment Services. Graduates can pick up the additional ticket or ALL of their guest tickets at that time. 

For guests who arrive at the ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓÆµ Airlines Center without a ticket, unfilled seats will be released at 12:50 p.m. prior to the start of the ceremony. Ticketed guests should plan to be seated by 12:50 p.m. Unfilled seats are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. Please note—UAA and the ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓÆµ Airlines Center do not charge for or sell guest tickets to this event. 

If you or one of your guests experiences a disability, please complete our Disability Accommodations Form so we can make arrangements to provide the accommodations needed. 

Viewing the Ceremony Online

The Commencement ceremony will be streamed on Facebook Live. The link and program are below. A Facebook login is not required to view the event.

 

Program

 

Sashes, Stoles and Cords

Stoles or sashes are distributed by affiliated clubs or departments (athletics hands out athletic graduate stoles, ROTC hands out the ROTC stoles, etc.). Military cords are handed out in the auxiliary gym the day of commencement. Institutional Honor Cords for Latin Honors are given to graduating students by the Registrar's Office during check-in/registration.

Celebrate & Share Online

Add some flair to your profiles and posts with our special #UAAGrad media kit, which includes social media profile photo frames and stickers for you and your loved ones! Just search "UAAGrad" to update your profile photo frame or find stickers on Instagram Stories that celebrate the Class of 2026, or download printable yard signs, Zoom backgrounds and more on our Seawolves on Social digital assets page
 

Congratulations, and we'll see you Sunday, May 3!

When you RSVP for commencement, you give UAA permission to take photographs or video of you at the event and to use the photographs or video in its print and internet publications and productions, including advertising, signage and promotional materials, and for commercial purposes.

At UAA, we proudly welcome and celebrate the personal customization of traditional academic regalia.  

A Message from the Registrar's Office Regarding Diplomas

Graduates, congratulations on your tremendous achievement! You'll be contacted by email in June with information about picking up your diploma. To ensure receipt of this information, please make sure your preferred email and mailing addresses are current in .

As you wait for your diploma, here are two alternate ways to verify your degree:

  1. Your transcript will show your degree information. You may access your unofficial transcript and order official transcripts in UAOnline: .
  2. The National Student Clearinghouse is the official verification service for employers to verify degrees: .

If you have questions, please contact the Registrar's Office at uaa.degrees@alaska.edu or 907-786-1480 (option 5).


Welcome from the Alumni Association

Congratulations Class of 2026! You have worked so hard and achieved so much. While this chapter of your amazing UAA story comes to a close, your next chapter as alumni begins. You will join the proud ranks of UAA alumni — a network of over 72,000 worldwide and growing. So, without further ado and in no particular order, check out the five things every new UAA grad should know to fully take advantage of your new status as UAA alumni. Welcome to Seawolf Nation.

Contact us

For questions regarding the commencement ceremony:

Applying to graduate, university honors and diplomas:

For questions regarding regalia and announcements: