Key takeaways
- The University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) will celebrate the Spring Class of 2026 in Glendale, Ariz., May 30-31, 2026.
- Approximately 2,600 graduates and guests will be in attendance. Leadership, faculty, and staff are thrilled to celebrate these amazing graduates!
- The event schedule includes a celebration on Saturday featuring photo opportunities, faculty meet and greet, a career fair, and more; and a commencement ceremony on Sunday at the Desert Diamond Arena.
- Find out who the commencement speaker is, and catch a glimpse of the weekend’s schedule.
Everything to Know About UAGC Spring Commencement
The UAGC Class of 2026 has much to celebrate! On Sunday, May 31, 2026, nearly 2,600 graduates and their guests will convene to celebrate their accomplishments during a commencement ceremony at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. It is an incredibly exciting time for graduates and the University, and the entire UAGC community is ready to honor the Spring Class of 2026 in style.
University leadership, faculty, and staff are thrilled to provide graduates with a memorable experience and have been preparing for this momentous occasion for several months.
“Commencement is one of our absolute favorite times of the year!” says Rachel Orlansky, Vice President of Student Affairs. “We couldn’t be prouder to have been part of your journey, and now we get to come together to celebrate everything you’ve accomplished!”
The UAGC Spring 2026 graduates have endured a lot to make it to the finish line, and this ceremony marks your amazing journey to finishing your college degree.
“Commencement is a time to celebrate our graduates' accomplishments and bright futures,” says Erin Wilton, Associate Registrar, Director of Student Records. “Bringing the University, our students, and their loved ones together, whether in person or virtually, is our greatest pride, and we look forward to it every season.”
Read on for details about the UAGC Spring 2026 Commencement.
UAGC Spring 2026 Commencement Schedule
To help make this an event to remember, there are a number of "experiences" planned for the weekend-long celebration. Be sure to RSVP to the Facebook event pages for the Saturday and Sunday events to stay in the know leading up to the ceremony. Then, continue reading for more details about commencement.
Saturday Events
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. MST (Local Arizona Time)
Location: Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel and Spa, 9495 W. Entertainment Blvd, Glendale, AZ 85305
Enjoy a day with your fellow UAGC graduates! This free, fun-filled day will be packed with plenty to do for the entire family. Attendance is optional for these events, but why miss all the fun? This will be a great way to see your peers and instructors in person and celebrate your major milestone.
Highlights of the day include:
- Career Fair
- Honor Societies Photographs
- Meet the Faculty
- Doctoral Hooding ceremony
- Photos with Dignitaries
- Graduation Cap Decorating
- Military Appreciation Event
- More to come! Look for details in the official Commencement Newsletter.
Commencement Ceremony
Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. MST
Location: Desert Diamond Arena, 9400 W Maryland Ave, Glendale, AZ 85305
Let the Ceremony Begin!
Congratulations to the UAGC Spring 2026 graduating class. We are so proud of your accomplishments and can't wait to see what you achieve next. On Sunday, May 31, we will recognize the completion of your degree program in a commencement ceremony, marking the end of one journey, and the beginning of another.
Check-in begins at 7 a.m. MST, and the procession/ceremony beginning at 9 a.m. MST, with an estimated conclusion at 2 p.m.
Here are some additional highlights and important things to know about your big day:
- Anthem Singer – Hear the winner of the UAGC National Anthem contest (a fellow alum) sing at the opening of the commencement.
- Special UAGC Dignitaries – Dr. Blake Naughton, Vice Provost for Global Campus Academic Affairs, and other University leaders will speak and recognize graduates from the Honors programs, CHAMPS Peer Mentoring, and the Doctoral programs, then present the Class of 2026 and confer the degrees.
- Keynote speech – Brittny Ferguson, an influential and accomplished financial consultant, community advocate, mom, and career-focused UAGC graduate. Learn more about Brittny in this video.
- Safety policies – Backpacks, purses, fanny packs, seat cushions, laptop bags, and camera bags are prohibited at Desert Diamond Arena. The only approved bags are a crossbody, clutch, wristlet or wallet meeting the dimensions of 4.5" x 6.5".
- Parking – Parking will be a $15 dollar credit card charge on the day of the event if you plan on parking at the venue rather than walk from your hotel.
The UAGC 2026 Commencement ceremony can be viewed here on the day of the ceremony.
Don't forget to take a moment to celebrate yourself. Graduating from college is one of life's most significant achievements, placing you firmly on the path to becoming a lifelong learner. Share your accomplishments with the hashtag #UAGCgrad26 and enjoy your success!
Visit our Graduation page for details on traveling to Glendale, for local hotel information, and much more. Be sure to check out our blog on fun things to do while visiting Glendale and the surrounding region. Wondering what to do or where to eat while you are in Glendale for the weekend? Check out this visitor guide, which has everything you need to know to make your stay in Glendale a great one. If you have any questions or concerns, email graduation.information@uagc.edu.
Congratulations, UAGC graduates! We'll see you in Glendale!
Want to join our growing list of tenacious UAGC grads? Get started today. Contact a UAGC advisor, and take your first step toward reaching your education goals. Visit UAGC.edu or call 866-711-1700.
