Student Speaker Information
Student Speaker Application Process
Graduating students who are interested in being the student speaker at their ceremony are encouraged to complete the nomination form and submit the following items to their academic advisor or email commencement@umassglobal.edu with ‘COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER NOMINATION’ in the subject line.* Nomination packets should include the following:
- Completed nomination form
- One-page cover letter
- Resume
- Brief letter of recommendation from either a full-time faculty member or academic advisor
- Speech which includes:
- No more than 750 words that can be read aloud in 3-5 minutes.
- Insights into the successes and challenges you experienced while earning a college degree as an adult learner.
- Description of how UMass Global helped you overcome any challenges and achieve your education goals.
Student speakers are selected based upon the quality of the speech as well as the information provided in the cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation. The student’s grade point average and units completed toward degree completion are also considered. UMass Global reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to select the student speaker(s) for commencement regardless of the aforementioned factors.
Student Speaker Key Dates
The submission deadline for the 2025 Summer Commencement is Monday, March 10, 2025. Students can expect to receive a decision, whether selected or not, no later than Friday, March 28, 2025.
2025 Student Speakers
University of Massachusetts Global is proud to announce the three student speakers for the 2025 Summer Commencement:
- 9:00 a.m. ceremony - Andrea Amy Blado
- 1:00 p.m. ceremony - Kimberly M. Mitchell
- 4:30pm ceremony - Stephanie Lynn Smith
Andrea Amy Blado will be earning her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy degree from our School of Arts and Sciences. She is passionate about sharing insights on overcoming obstacles, harnessing inner strength, and turning every hardship into an opportunity for growth. Andrea is dedicated to inspiring transformative growth and fostering resilience in diverse communities.
Kimberly M. Mitchell will be earning her Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership degree from our School of Education. Her journey to this point has been of resilience, growth, and rediscovery. Mitchell previously served as a senior executive at the Department of Veterans Affairs. She is honored to inspire and celebrate the achievements of her peers as they step into this next chapter of becoming doctors.
Stephanie Lynn Smith will be earning her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration degree from our School of Education. Smith is a passionate student-centered educational leader. She looks forward to sharing the obstacles that she was able to overcome while earning her college degrees.
We look forward to our graduating students hearing their inspiring speeches at our Summer commencement ceremonies in Long Beach, CA.
Testimonial Consent
Student speaker applicants are encouraged to agree to the Photo/Video/Audio/Testimonial Consent Agreement on the nomination form by checking the “Yes” box on page 1.
Photo/Video/Audio/Testimonial Consent Agreement:
I hereby consent to the use by University of Massachusetts Global / UMass Global of my image, quotation, testimonial, voice, or any combination thereof in (1) any video, photograph, audio tape, or print/digital publication described below; and (2) any video, photograph, audio tape, or publication reproduced either in whole or in part from the video, photograph, audio tape, or interview described below regardless of whether these materials are used for advertising, marketing, publicity, or any other purpose on behalf of the university.
In addition, I waive all claims to further compensation or damages based on the use of my image or voice, or both by the university. I also waive any right to inspect or approve the finished photograph, video, audio tape, or publication.
I warrant that I am at least 18 years of age and that I am competent in my own name insofar as this is concerned. I further attest that I have read this consent form and fully understand its contents.