UMGC Marks Winter Commencement Season with 2025 Grad Walk

A Personalized Stage-Crossing Experience

Unlike traditional arena commencements, Grad Walk is UMGC's personalized, student-centered commencement experience designed to put each graduate center stage. Graduates select a time to cross the stage in regalia as their name is announced, pose for professional photos and video, and celebrate in a Celebration Zone with family and friends-who enjoy a front-row vantage point throughout.

From its inception during the COVID-19 pandemic, Grad Walk has offered flexibility and intimacy over large arena ceremonies, resonating strongly with working adults, military-affiliated students, and families traveling from around the world to mark this achievement together.

Held at the College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center near the university's Adelphi headquarters, Winter Grad Walk served as the culmination of UMGC's fall commencement season, which also included military recognition ceremonies held earlier at three U.S. bases.

Recognizing Graduates Wherever They Are

To ensure graduates unable to attend in person were still meaningfully recognized, UMGC continued its tradition of mailing Grad Packs to graduates around the world. The initiative began during COVID-19, when in-person commencement ceremonies were canceled, and the university sought a tangible way to celebrate graduates.