Spring 2023 Commencement
Alaska Airlines Center, Sunday, May 7, 1 p.m. 

Final Details

The RSVP Page is Now Closed

The deadline to apply for spring graduation and RSVP to attend the ceremony was April 28. An RSVP is required for all graduates attending the hooding and/or commencement ceremonies.

Registration (Check-in)

Registration will be held in the Enrollment Services Building on Friday, May 5 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. OR in the Alaska Airlines Center auxiliary gym the day of commencement from 12-12:30 p.m. 

Graduates must attend one of the two registration/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 Alaska 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 Alaska 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 Alaska 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 outside the main entrance to the arena beginning at 11:30 a.m. Graduate registration and general admission guest seating will begin at noon. To ensure an efficient and positive experience for all, we ask that you and your guests: 

• Bring only essential items needed for the event. 
• Leave backpacks and bags larger than 4.5 x 6.5 inches at home. 
• Noisemakers and weapons will be refused at the screening stations. 

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 Alaska Airlines Center. 

Parking 

Parking is available around the Alaska 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 Alaska 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 five guest tickets when they RSVP'd and were to pick up their claimed tickets at the Seawolf Store. 

UPDATE – Graduates can now pick up one additional guest ticket (for a total of six general admission tickets).

• The additional guest ticket will be available for graduates at the Seawolf Store starting Monday, May 1; OR
• The Seawolf Store will be at registration on May 5 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 Alaska 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. 

Viewing the Ceremony Online

The commencement ceremony will be streamed on Facebook Live. A Facebook login is not required to view the event. The program will be posted here shortly before the event. 

View Ceremony on Facebook Live

Spring Commencement Program

Celebrate & Share Online

Congratulations, and we'll see you Sunday, May 7!

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.

For individual graduate photos, please contact commencement photographer, Bill Z Photography. 

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 before the end of May 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 UAOnline.

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: alaska.edu/uaonline.
2. The National Student Clearinghouse is the official verification service for employers to verify degrees: nationalstudentclearinghouse.org.

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 2023! 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 nearly 67,000 worldwide and growing. So, without further ado and in no particular order, check out the 10 things every new UAA grad should know to fully take advantage of your new status as UAA alumni. Welcome to Seawolf Nation.