Commencement 2025
Commencement 2025
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
8:00 a.m.
Prudential Center | Newark, N.J.
Please check this page frequently as updates will be added throughout the Spring 2025 semester leading up to Commencement.
At NJCU, Commencement provides our students an opportunity to celebrate their academic achievements with family, friends, faculty, alumni, and the entire University community. The ceremony will recognize School of Business, College of Professional Studies, Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education, and the William J. Maxwell College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) and CAS/Education dual-degree recipients.
We will have ONE ceremony where undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students will come together to celebrate this incredible milestone.
Doors open at 7 a.m., and all guests must be seated by 7:40 a.m.
Accessibility
- The entire Prudential Center is accessible; therefore, if you have guests who need to use the accessible entrance and require access to accessible seating, please arrive as early as possible.
- If you are a graduating student who requires special accommodations or have guests who need accommodations, please contact Jennifer Aitken in the Office of Specialized Services and Supplemental Instruction (201-200-2091).
Ceremony
- The ceremony will last no more than four (4) hours and will end by noon.
- Commencement is an important and formal occasion for each graduate to be treated with the highest respect and honor. To ensure that each individual can enjoy this day, we ask that all graduates remain seated until the ceremony's conclusion.
- There will be no procession or recessions for students, faculty, or staff. All participants will be asked to be seated immediately after arriving at the venue.
Diplomas
- Diploma cases will be given out at the Prudential Center
- Students, who are cleared for degrees, will be notified with the dates and times when diplomas may be picked up at the Registrar's Office.
Have a Commencement Question? Contact Us
Honorary Degree Recipients
About the Honorees
Ambassador Julissa Reynoso Pantaleón
A pioneering leader in law, diplomacy, and public service, Ambassador Reynoso’s transformative journey from her roots in the Dominican Republic to the highest levels of global leadership exemplifies resilience and excellence. She has served as the U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, Chief of Staff to First Lady Jill Biden, and Co-Chair of the White House Gender Policy Council, advancing equity and inclusion worldwide. She previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay under the Obama Administration and served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. Reynoso’s academic achievements, including degrees from Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, and Columbia Law School, and her commitment to systemic change make her an inspiring figure for NJCU’s diverse, first-generation student body.
Former U.S. Senator George Helmy
A proud Jersey City native and a first-generation American, Senator Helmy has forged a groundbreaking path in public service. As one of only six Arab Americans to ever serve in the U.S. Senate and the first Coptic Christian in this role, Helmy’s leadership reflects a deep commitment to equity, community, and civic engagement. Helmy was the longest-serving Chief of Staff to a New Jersey Governor and also previously served as the State Director to U.S. Senator Cory Booker. His educational background, including degrees from Rutgers University and Harvard University, and his dedication to bridging cultural and political divides align with NJCU’s mission to empower underrepresented voices. Helmy’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact of opportunity, perseverance, and service in building inclusive communities.
Information for Commencement Guests
Ticketing Information:
Guests DO NOT need an entry ticket, and all guests are welcome. There is no maximum number of guests per student.
Accessible Accommodations:
If you or a family member need to utilize the accessible entrance and require access to accessible seating, please arrive as early as possible through the PNC Tower entrance.
The Prudential Center is fully accessible and has seating for individuals with special needs.