Jason Amorosi has graduation covered for all Bruins

Jason Amorosi is the go-to guy around campus for all things graduation regalia, and he recently celebrated his 27th work anniversary at UCLA. His retail experience landed him here, initially to run a satellite store at Universal CityWalk before coming to campus a few years later to work at the UCLA Store in Ackerman Union.

Eventually, Amorosi took over store operations and the graduation regalia process and now serves as associate director of store operations and services. His day-to-day work involves managing all aspects of store operations, including overall strategy, events, staffing, customer service, procedures, troubleshooting and, of course, commencement.

He also works in cooperation with store directors and buyers across apparel, books, supplies and more to make sure students have what they need for key campus moments like move-in, athletic events and holidays. Amorosi does a lot of walking delivering regalia - he says his one-day record for walking around campus is 35,000 steps (or 15 miles)!

Newsroom sat down with Amorosi to learn more about him and his work at UCLA, specifically for commencement. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Can you talk about managing the process for graduation regalia?

We handle undergrad, graduate student and faculty regalia for commencement and other ceremonies like inauguration. It's a small part of the bigger picture, but it's an important, year-round process, and my team has the sole responsibility to get it done for about 16,000 Bruins (including students and faculty). Everything starts shipping in early March, and since we don't have traditional storage space, we use some of the underground tunnels you've probably heard about to store all the regalia.

What about the significance of the robes, velvet and stoles?

For College graduation, students and some faculty usually do their own robing - putting on their own gowns, caps, cords, stoles, medallions and anything else "official" that signifies degrees or honors earned.

Hooding ceremonies are a little different. They are big moments because the placing of a "hood" over a graduate's shoulders means they have earned a doctorate or master's degree. Velvet colors on the outside of the hood represent the field of study and default to the highest degree. So a Ph.D. always has dark royal blue velvet, is bigger and trumps everything - even medical doctors. The satin linings of the hood are always the colors of the institution - in our case, blue and gold. I have taught the occasional class on robing and hooding properly. It doesn't happen often, but I did do one for Chancellor Frenk's inauguration last year.

What is something you learned early in your career that impacted the way you work now?

When I first started working on commencement, there was no "how to" rule book or guidance, so I started from scratch, and it was up to me and a few students to figure out. It was trial by fire, and I did not come from a higher education background. I remember one early request for a faculty physician who was a doctor but not a Ph.D. I was still figuring out the different aspects of higher education ceremonies, and that "doctor" got the wrong velvet! It never happened again, though. I created a graduation guidebook and made the process my own.

What motivates you in your role?

Getting it done and seeing it all happen on graduation day. When newly minted graduates are there with their families, taking photos with their regalia on, it shows me I've done my job.

What do you love about working at UCLA?

The diversity, our campus, the atmosphere, the people and the challenge of managing graduation deadlines! Part of the job is delivering regalia in person, and I enjoy it because everyone is so nice and I get to be outside walking around our beautiful campus. I meet people who are always grateful for my help in making commencement smoother for them, and I enjoy keeping them happy. My position gives me a lot of freedom to think outside the box - and I enjoy the challenge.

What's your favorite spot on campus and why?

Royce is one of the best buildings on campus, and I think it's just amazing. I love the architecture. It can feel very serene at times.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their career here?

Always overcommunicate. I've learned that it's key in any position, and too much is always better than not enough. And don't be afraid to work hard.

What is the best advice you've received from a mentor that has impacted your career?

I actually think about this every year. Early in my career, I worked with a rep from Jostens, a school supply company. He knew I was green and noticed my anxiety about it. He took me aside one day and said, "Jason, you've got this. You just don't know it, but you've got this. The trick with graduation is: Don't let it get away from you."

Since then, I've always been one step ahead. I still have that advice written down somewhere.