Always quick to embrace innovation and change, 幸福宝导航 adjusts to COVID-19鈥攁nd the preferences of adult learners鈥攂y reimagining the graduation experience.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article appears in the 2022 issue of聽Achiever Magazine
By Menachem Wecker
A new mom in full graduation regalia made her way through the College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. She scanned her personalized barcode and a computerized voice read her name. She crossed the stage with her baby in her arms, and UMGC President Gregory Fowler handed her her diploma folder. Her family applauded and snapped photos from a reserved space just a few feet from the stage.聽聽
Smiling, she looked down at her baby and said, 鈥淲e did it!鈥
A DIFFERENT GRADUATION EXPERIENCE聽聽
In a typical commencement, graduates sit with classmates while friends and family members sit in the audience. They listen to speeches and watch their classmates cross the stage. When their moment arrives, it is fleeting, and loved ones often struggle to catch a glimpse of the graduate.聽聽
UMGC鈥檚 Grad Walk 2022鈥攈eld May 17 to 22, 2022鈥攐ffered a completely different experience, one that focused on students, their wants and needs, as well as the health and safety of graduates, guests, and community members.聽聽
Because of COVID-19, UMGC鈥檚 graduating classes of 2020 and 2021 had been unable to march, and as the pandemic ground on, the university began exploring other scenarios.聽聽
Serena Williams, associate director of Commencement Services, noticed that other schools were hosting ceremonies that allowed graduates to march individually, making it easier to social distance. With that as the starting point, she developed a concept tailored to UMGC.聽聽
鈥淲e made adjustments that really honored our university, our demographic, and our graduates,鈥 said Angie Grant, acting director of Commencement Services.聽
PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT STUDENTS REALLY WANT聽
At Grad Walk 2022, graduates and their guests arrived in Adelphi and remained together until it was time for the graduate to cross the stage. When they did, their guests enjoyed an unobstructed view of the stage. If they needed an extra moment to capture photos or videos, or if graduates wanted to march with a friend or family member, they were encouraged to do so. (Professional photographers and videographers were also onsite to ensure that each graduate would receive personalized images and footage.)聽聽
Over the course of six days, more than 3,300 graduates鈥攆rom the classes of 2020, 2021, and 2022鈥攃rossed the stage. Those who wanted a more traditional commencement experience could view a recorded ceremony on demand, which included a keynote address, remarks by a student speaker, and the conferral of degrees by the president. Including graduates and their guests, more than 23,000 people participated in the Grad Walk.聽聽
鈥淲e paid attention to what graduates really want (based on previous post-commencement surveys and other feedback),鈥 said Grant. 鈥淭hey want to hear their name called, to cross the stage, receive their diploma from the president, have their family and friends be there to celebrate them, and be able to share the moment on social media. This event brings those experiences together. They get a chance to be honored and celebrated, and in a way that reduces the risk for everyone.鈥澛犅
The response from students was enthusiastic.聽聽
In a post to LinkedIn, student speaker Jayla Nowlin wrote of being filled with gratitude. 鈥淚 finally got to walk across the stage and be celebrated with my family,鈥 she said. 鈥淓very detail was exceptional.鈥澛犅
A U.S. Marine information technology professional stationed in Hawaii posted a photo with his wife and two children, one of whom wore his sailor cap. Another graduate tweeted, 鈥淔inished my degree in 2020, but got to take my UMGC Grad Walk today!鈥澛犅
Another post on LinkedIn thanked UMGC鈥檚 president for taking the time to meet with graduates as they exited the room.聽聽
鈥淵ou make it easy for veterans to enroll and work through the required processes,鈥 one graduate wrote. Another added, 鈥淵ear and a half later, I finally got to walk! What made it better? I got to do it with my husband who graduated this year!鈥澛犅
THE MAGIC THAT IS UMGC聽聽
Fowler and other university leaders spent hours on site every day, distributing degrees and meeting graduates, family members, and guests as they waited in line or, afterward, in a designated 鈥渃elebration zone,鈥 along with representatives of the UMGC Alumni Association.聽聽
Graduates could take photos in front of Maryland-themed backdrops and write messages on a signature wall, which Fowler was the first to sign. During Grad Walk, he also had the opportunity to meet graduates in person and hear their stories firsthand.聽聽
One student was homeless before finally landing a job. Another homeschooled seven children while studying at UMGC. A third deployed while still continuing to pursue a degree. It isn鈥檛 uncommon for students to report that it has taken them a decade or more to complete their degrees, with family or military responsibilities periodically interrupting their progress.聽聽
鈥淚 think that is amazing,鈥 Fowler said. 鈥淲hen you hear stories like, 鈥榃e were out in the field with our night vision goggles, reading the book, because we wanted to get the degree done鈥欌攊t is just unimaginable if you are only thinking about the traditional college coming-of-age experience.鈥澛犅
Stories like these make up 鈥渢he magic that is UMGC,鈥 Fowler said, adding how proud he is to be able to accommodate the unique needs of nontraditional students while bringing the university鈥檚 years of experience to bear on commencement as well.聽聽
鈥淒o not be surprised if you see some version of this happening in a number of places where we do graduations,鈥 he said.聽
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