OCTOBER 9–10, 2026
Commencement Weekend in Atlanta
Morning Ceremony
(Spanish) Morning Ceremony
Afternoon Ceremony
(Spanish) Afternoon Ceremony
Alumni Celebration*
Friday, October 9, 2026
First Flight - 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Second Flight - 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
This event is RSVP-only. If you have not submitted an RSVP, your name will not be on the guest list, and you will not be permitted entry.
Gas South Convention Center - Grand Ballroom
6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy
Duluth, GA 30097
Commencement*
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Morning Ceremony
Graduate Check-in: 8:30 am
Ceremony start: 9:30 am
Afternoon Ceremony
Graduate Check-in: 12:30 pm
Ceremony start: 1:30 pm
Gas South Arena
6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy
Duluth, GA 30097
*Details Subject to Change
Have questions? Ask Cappy!
Text "Hi" to 1.877.818.4477 or scan the QR code below:
RSVP Closed
Regalia Update
Please be aware that the Regalia Order Deadline is before the RSVP Deadline.
Additional Information
Atlanta Deadlines:
- RSVP
Deadline: Closed - Graduate Speaker Application
Deadline: Closed - Anthem Singer Audition
Deadline: Closed
Atlanta Details:
Learn More About Commencement Day
Watch this video to see what a typical in-person commencement day looks like for a graduate.
Parking
Parking is $15 per vehicle on Event Day
Learn More Here: https://www.gassouthdistrict.com/arena-parking-directions
Want to pay for Commencement parking in advance? Use this link for Pre-paid Parking
Atlanta Regalia Update
All graduates will be able to pass through security with their regalia and caps on, but the robe must be unzipped when passing through security at Gas South Arena.
A dedicated regalia station will be located past security, where staff will be available to help you adjust and reassemble your regalia so you’re ready for your moment in the spotlight.
Bag Policy
Gas South District® encourages all fans to arrive early and travel light.
- In the interest of enhancing existing security measures and enforcing the most touch-free experience possible, Gas South District® requires clear bags.
- The safest and fastest way to enter the venue is to not bring a bag at all.
- No clear bag, purse, or drawstring larger than 12" x 12" x 6" will be permitted.
- All bags are subject to search before being allowed into the venue. Guests not allowing inspection of their bags or purses will be refused entry into the building.
- Backpacks are not permitted.
- Diaper bags for guests accompanied by infant(s) will be permitted.
- Medically necessary bags that are required to transport medical equipment will be permitted.
Alumni Celebration in Atlanta
Celebrate Your WGU Journey
Kick off your commencement weekend with an exclusive WGU Alumni Celebration at the Gas South Convention Center – Grand Ballroom!
All graduates attending the 2026 WGU Commencement in Atlanta are invited to join us for an evening filled with celebration, connection, and fun alongside fellow graduates, alumni, family, and friends.
Your Celebration Session
To create a comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone, each graduate and their guests will be assigned to one of two Celebration Sessions. Your session assignment will be provided several weeks before the event.
When you arrive, please have a copy of your Celebration Session email available for check-in. You will also need your stage pass, which will be emailed to you during commencement week.
Upon arrival, you and your guests will receive a Celebration wristband identifying your assigned session.
WGU Celebration Session: First Flight
Celebration Session 1 | 5:00–6:30 PM
Doors Open: 5:00 PM
Location: Gas South Convention Center – Grand Ballroom
WGU Celebration Session: Second Flight
Celebration Session 2 | 7:30–9:00 PM
Doors Open: 7:30 PM
Location: Gas South Convention Center – Grand Ballroom
Please arrive during your assigned Celebration Session.
What to Expect
At your Celebration Session, you can:
- Receive a complimentary professional portrait (graduates only) to elevate your LinkedIn profile, courtesy of WGU.
- Connect and network with alumni in your area.
- Visit partner and affiliated booths to purchase WGU swag, pick up your WGU Philanthropy Cord, and more.
- Capture memories at our interactive photo booths and share your experience using #WGUgrad.
- Meet Sage the Night Owl.
- Enjoy light appetizers and refreshments, with self-pay bars available.
- Dance, mingle, and participate in family-friendly activities with a fun WGU twist.
Good to Know
This family-friendly, come-and-go celebration is free to attend. Graduates and (6 - max) guests are encouraged to dress in business or cocktail attire and come ready to celebrate this exciting milestone.
Come for the networking. Stay for the celebration. We can’t wait to celebrate you and welcome you into the WGU Night Owl alumni community!
This event is RSVP-only. If you have not submitted an RSVP, your name will not be on the guest list, and you will not be permitted entry.
Date:
October 9, 2026
Time:
First Flight - 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Second Flight - 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
This event is RSVP-only. If you have not submitted an RSVP, your name will not be on the guest list, and you will not be permitted entry.
Location:
Gas South Convention Center - Grand Ballroom
6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy
Duluth, GA 30097
Contact Information
WGU Alumni Celebration contact: alumnievents@wgu.edu
WGU Alumni Celebration accessibility: alumnievents@wgu.edu
WGU Commencement questions: commencement@wgu.edu
Parking Information
Parking will be in Deck #1 at $10 per car.
Keynote Speaker
Joy King
PhD(c), DNP, MBA, APRN, NP-C, FAIHM
Joy is President of the Georgia Nurses Association and a seasoned Family Nurse Practitioner whose career is dedicated to advancing equitable healthcare and elevating the nursing profession. A proud WGU graduate, Joy earned her MBA in Healthcare Management in 2020 and was selected as a WGU Distinguished Graduate earlier this year. Her experience spans primary care, telehealth, clinical leadership, and higher education, and she currently provides care to diverse and underserved populations while advocating for the nursing profession across Georgia.
Joy also serves as adjunct faculty, teaching graduate nursing and healthcare finance, and is a PhD candidate in Nursing after recently successfully defending her research proposal and advancing to PhD candidacy. Her research focuses on the relationships among body image, sleep quality, social media use, and perceived cardiovascular disease risk among overweight and obese African American women in rural Georgia. Throughout her career, Joy’s leadership has reflected compassion, advocacy, and a steadfast commitment to improving health outcomes and strengthening the nursing profession.
Morning Ceremony Student Speakers
Jim West
Graduate Speaker Jim West spent most of his childhood in foster care in central Louisiana and was living independently by age 16. Largely self-taught in technology, he was managing IT operations by 21 and built a career spanning more than 35 years in information technology and cybersecurity while raising two daughters as a single father for 17 years. Jim later returned to school, earning both a B.S. and M.S. in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance from WGU, moving directly from one program into the next to reinforce a belief he has long shared: learning never stops. He completed his master’s while working in Kuwait as an Information Systems Security Manager supporting the U.S. military during the 2026 conflict with Iran, studying through missile and drone threats. Jim is also founder of TopCyberPro.com, an award-winning author, international speaker, ISACA Journal contributor, and 2026 Cyber Security Advocate of the Year. He enjoys writing, traveling with his wife, and volunteering with Tech for Tomorrow.
Nakeitha Carter
Graduate Speaker Nakeitha Carter is a first-generation college graduate, government procurement professional, and WGU Ambassador whose journey demonstrates the power of perseverance, hard work, and purpose. A native of Griffin, Georgia, Nakeitha became a mother at a young age and left high school. Although her educational path changed, her determination to create a better future for herself and her family never wavered. Nine years after leaving high school, she earned her GED through Southern Crescent Technical College in her hometown.
While raising four children, Nakeitha returned to school and earned an Associate of Business Management in 2018. She continued her education at Western Governors University, completing her Bachelor of Business Administration in October 2025. In March 2026, she returned to WGU to pursue a Master of Science in Management and Leadership. Through exceptional focus and discipline, she completed the graduate program in one term.
Professionally, Nakeitha began her government-sector and procurement career in school nutrition, performing procurement functions for multiple public-school districts. Through this work, she gained valuable experience supporting purchasing processes, daily operations, public service, and the needs of students and families. Building on that foundation, she advanced into government contract administration. Nakeitha now serves as a Contract Administration Specialist for the City of Atlanta’s Department of Aviation at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where she supports a large portfolio of airport maintenance contracts.
During her graduate journey, Nakeitha experienced the loss of the grandmother who raised her. She honored her grandmother’s influence by remaining focused and completing what she started. Her story demonstrates that obstacles do not have to determine a person’s future—with perseverance, hard work, and purpose, challenges can become the foundation for extraordinary achievement.
Afternoon Ceremony Student Speakers
McKenzi Millard
Graduate Speaker McKenzi Millard earned her B.S. in Human Resource Management from Western Governors University. Raised by a single mother in Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, a town of about 500 people, McKenzi grew up watching her mother pursue higher education and become the first in their family to earn a college degree. After attempting college herself, McKensi stepped away during her first attempt and spent several years working in education, construction, manufacturing, and customer service before returning to finish her degree. Her varied work experiences led her to Human Resource Management and an interest in how workplace decisions affect employees. As the second generation in her family to graduate from college, McKenzi is proud to continue the path her mother began. Her mother remains her best friend and one of the strongest influences in her life. McKenzi enjoys strength training and painting, while she and her girlfriend, Paige, love traveling, finding great food and coffee, spending time outdoors, and being with their pets.
Ania Joseph
Ania Joseph is a recent graduate of Western Governors University, where she earned her MBA in Information Technology Management after completing her undergraduate degree at Howard University. Before starting graduate school, Ania contributed to a growing startup, helping scale its financial education program as an equity research analyst and stock market educator. That experience deepened her interest in leadership, technology, and organizational strategy, leading her to pursue graduate school. While earning her degree, Ania balanced her studies, family responsibilities, and a significant career transition. She is now pivoting toward a career in civic affairs, where she hopes to leverage data, technology, and policy to drive public impact. Outside of work, Ania enjoys reading, staying engaged in Atlanta's civic life through volunteering, and learning to fly.
National Anthem Singers
Alicia Nesmith
Alicia Nesmith earned her Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education, a degree she pursued to strengthen her skills as an educator and make a meaningful impact in the lives of her students. While completing her graduate studies, Alicia served as a teacher of record, balancing graduate school, full-time teaching, and raising a young family. She currently teaches fifth-grade English Language Arts and Social Studies with Clayton County Public Schools, where she also serves as the grade-level chair. Completing her degree while actively teaching gave Alicia the opportunity to immediately apply what she was learning in her own classroom and grow as an educator alongside her students. Outside of education, Alicia is a wife and mother of two with a lifelong passion for music. She is a vocalist who enjoys gospel and worship music and continues to develop her musicianship while pursuing opportunities in vocal performance and music education.
Christine Wilkerson
Anthem singer, Christine Wilkerson, hails from South Carolina, where she became a resident when her military service came to an end in 2023. In 2014, Christine completed her B.S. in Human Resources Management with WGU before joining the U.S. Army later that year. In 2017, she began pursuing a M.S. in Management and Leadership with WGU, however military requirements and multiple surgeries over the following 6 years left it incomplete. When she left military service in 2023, Christine decided to go back to school, continuing and completing her first master’s degree in her first six months as a civilian. Christine then completed a second M.S. in Psychology with Life Coaching Emphasis through Grand Canyon University before returning to WGU to complete her third master’s degree in Marketing with a Digital Marketing Specialization. Christine is now working on developing her own business as a coach focused on helping military servicemembers and new veterans navigate the military-to-civilian transition as they rediscover, redefine, and rebuild their individual identity. Christine is a mother of two and enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and singing with her local community choir.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Commencement Ceremony FAQs
- Ceremony Participation and RSVP FAQs
- Regalia FAQs
- WGU Philanthropy Cord FAQs
- Letter of Invitation for Abroad & Commencement Announcements FAQs
- Graduation Application and Diploma FAQs
Commencement Ceremony FAQs
A commencement guidebook with check-in details, parking, maps, and more will be loaded onto the commencement app and emailed to each graduate two weeks prior to the ceremony.
When registering for a commencement weekend, a graduate may choose the ceremony time that fits their needs best as long as the event has not reached capacity. All options can be seen at the event-specific registration link.
All schools will participate in each ceremony.
Due to varying space limitations, Alumni Celebration and Commencement guest count policies are different. Please refer to the specific guest count policy on the weekend-specific page for further information.
Alumni Celebration:
Guest capacities are implemented at alumni celebration events to accommodate as many graduates as possible while allowing everyone to enjoy the festivities with their loved ones. Guest capacities may be adjusted based on venue size and availability.
For the alumni celebrations in New Orleans, New York, Louisville, and Minneapolis graduates are invited to bring up to 6 guests.
For the alumni celebrations in Seattle, Atlanta, and Anaheim, graduates are invited to bring up to 4 guests.
Commencement: Guests are recommended to bring up to 8 guests to ensure our event doesn’t reach venue capacity.
Tickets are not required to enter the commencement ceremonies in New Orleans, Louisville, Minneapolis, and Anaheim.
Tickets will be required for the commencement ceremonies in Elmont, New York at UBS Arena, Atlanta, Georgia at Gas South Arena and in Seattle, Washington at Climate Pledge Arena. Event-specific ticketing information will be provided 8 weeks prior to the event.
The names of graduates who physically attend an in-person commencement will be read as they cross the stage. All Virtual Commencement participants’ names will be read during the Virtual ceremony.
No. Graduates are called to the stage by schools and not in alphabetical order.
Please arrive dressed in your cap and gown for the commencement ceremony. Due to the number of graduates and precise schedule, it is not practical to change into regalia at the venue.
*This may be adjusted according to venue requirements. Additional information will be included in the Commencement Guidebook and on the event-specific website.
You can watch the commencement ceremony on the WGU YouTube channel at any point after the start of the ceremony.
The commencement photos will be available approximately 2-3 weeks after the ceremony. Those photos will be available for viewing at https://thegradteam.com/events/wgu/
Did you know that WGU Alumni have access to hundreds of discounts? Log in to BenefitHub to search for deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.
Ceremony Participation and RSVP FAQs
There is not a time limit on when a graduate may walk in a commencement. Graduates may only participate in one commencement ceremony per degree program completed.
Generally, commencement ceremonies last approximately 90 minutes.
Yes, ceremonies have capacity limits. We suggest that you submit an RSVP to your desired ceremony as soon as you are eligible.
Please review the commencement participation guidelines located in the student handbook, which outlines student eligibility to attend commencement. If you have additional questions, you can contact the Commencement Office at commencement@wgu.edu.
Graduates who wish to participate in an in-person or virtual commencement ceremony must meet eligibility requirements and register for their desired event.
Eligibility Guidelines
- Students must have submitted their Graduation Application for the completion of their degree program OR
- Students must have only their final course remaining, such as capstone or final certification, with the exception of direct hours for field experience or demonstration teaching.
- Students who meet the above final course requirements may submit an email to commencement@wgu.edu with "Final Course" in the subject line along with desired commencement ceremony.
- Once eligibility has been confirmed the student or graduate MUST submit an RSVP via the commencement website.
If you don’t currently meet either of these requirements, wait to RSVP until one of the requirements is met.
No, the graduation application process is separate from submitting a RSVP to a Commencement Weekend. If the Commencement Office has granted a final course exemption and you have RSVP’d to your desired ceremony you do not have to have your graduation application submitted to walk at Commencement.
Yes. The ceremony RSVP form is a separate process from the graduation application. The completion of the ceremony RSVP form reserves your seat at commencement and generates your information on a name reading card for the announcer.
After a graduate submits the ceremony RSVP form, a confirmation email is automatically sent to the email address listed on the completed RSVP form. Please check your junk inbox. If you do not see a confirmation email for your ceremony RSVP, please contact us at commencement@wgu.edu with additional questions.
No. Once registration has closed, no late additions, including day-of (walk-up) will be permitted. Registration for all in-person commencement events ends one month prior to the event date, and registration for virtual ceremonies ends
No. As of January 2022, a graduate may participate in one ceremony per degree, either a virtual or in-person ceremony.
A StagePass is a digital QR code issued to each graduate registered for an in-person ceremony the week of commencement. It contains the information that will be displayed on the screen as your name is read, and you cross the stage. To access their StagePass at the ceremony, graduates will need their phone with them at graduate check-in and as they cross the stage.
Your StagePass will be emailed to you on Monday and Friday, the week of the commencement weekend. If you do not receive it, please contact the Commencement Office at commencement@wgu.edu with the subject line, “StagePass Not Received”.
We will send commencement updates to the email address you entered on your RSVP form.
Regalia FAQs
WGU works with official regalia vendor Balfour (caps, gowns, tassels, hoods, stoles). Ordering will open at the end of 2025 for all 2026 ceremonies. Regalia ordering can be found here.
For bachelor’s degree, post-baccalaureate teacher programs, or endorsement preparation program (English Language Learning), you should order a cap, bachelor's gown, and tassel.
For those earning a master's degree or endorsement preparation program (Educational Leadership), you should order a cap, master's gown, tassel, and a master's hood.
Click here to see a tutorial on how to wear your cap & gown the day of commencement.
The following master’s hoods are available for purchase from our regalia vendor Balfour.
Education - Blue
Business (all MBAs) - Drab
Technology - Gold
Nursing – Apricot
Integrated Healthcare Management - Salmon
Master of Health Leadership - Sage green
WGU works with official commencement goods vendor Balfour for additional commencement goods and announcements. Visit them at https://www.balfour.com/wgu to see their selection.
Prior to the conferral of degrees, bachelor's degree graduates wear their tassel on the right while master's degree graduates wear their tassel on the left for the entire commencement ceremony.
A graduate should wear academic attire appropriate to the awarded degree. The master's gown differs from a bachelor's gown. If you already have a cap and tassel, you can order a master's gown as an individual item on our commencement vendor’s website. Please note that the academic attire for a master's graduate includes a cap, tassel, master's gown, and hood.
Yes, WGU graduates affiliated with an honor society may wear society pins or honor cords/sashes/stoles to represent their academic achievements, affiliations, or identity on their gowns.
Teacher graduates affiliated with the WGU chapter of the international honor society of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) may order honor cords at http://www.kdp.org.
Graduates who are members of The National Society of Leadership and Success may wear honor cords indicating this affiliation.
WGU graduates who are veterans or active-duty military will be provided with a military honor cord. For virtual commencements, cords will be shipped to the address provided on their RSVP. For in-person commencements, cords will be picked up at the Alumni Celebration or at Commencement during graduate check-in. On your RSVP form, please mark that you are a veteran or active duty.
Graduates are permitted to decorate their graduation caps. Take into consideration the following if decorating your cap for commencement:
WGU does not allow content on caps or sashes that is considered, in WGU’s sole discretion, obscene, vulgar, defamatory, hateful, inappropriate, profane or that might disregard another’s copyright or third-party rights. All decorations must lie flat on the cap.
WGU Philanthropy Cord FAQs
The WGU Philanthropy Cord is a blue and gold cord for graduates to wear with their cap and gown at Commencement. The Philanthropy Cord is a physical symbol of a graduate’s commitment to WGU, and, more importantly, supports a philanthropic legacy that will last for future generations of WGU students.
- Mail: If you order more than four weeks prior to your commencement ceremony, we will mail your cord to you at the address you specify. Alternatively, you may elect to pick up your cord in-person.
- In-Person: Visit the WGU Advancement table at your commencement site (Check-in or Alumni Celebration).
- Virtual: We will mail your cord to the address provided during your donation.
100% of your gift goes to the Night Owl Scholarship Fund, which provides direct financial assistance to WGU students who need a final boost to finish their degrees.
For in-person commencements, you may choose to have your Philanthropy Cord mailed to you or picked up at Commencement by visiting the WGU Advancement table at the Alumni Celebration or during graduate check-in before Commencement.
For virtual commencements, Philanthropy Cords will be mailed prior to the ceremony date.
WGU Advancement is dedicated to attracting, allocating, and putting dollars to work so more students have access to an affordable, quality education. We provide a meaningful way for alumni, donors, and partners to “pay it forward” and invest in the future of education.
A Sustaining Supporter is a donor who provides ongoing impact through a recurring gift. For as little as $3 a month, you can help ensure that the "bridge" to graduation remains open for every student who follows you.
Yes! Every dollar helps remove barriers for students. Whether it is a one-time gift or a recurring monthly contribution, your generosity directly impacts student success.
Letter of Invitation for Abroad & Commencement Announcements FAQs
Yes, students may send an email to records@wgu.edu with the family member's full name, relationship to the student, and foreign address. Once provided, the Records Department will prepare documents containing information about the commencement and student's earned degree. These prepared letters will then be sent to the student to forward them to the correct parties. It may take 5-10 business days for the letters to be mailed to the student.
WGU works with official announcements and commencement goods vendor Balfour. Ordering will open at the end of 2025 for all 2026 ceremonies.
Announcements can be found on Balfour website.
Graduation Application and Diploma FAQs
Visit the graduation application page in the student handbook for the most current information on how to apply for graduation.
Visit the graduation application page in the student handbook for the most current information on how to receive your diploma.
No, please leave your diploma at home. You will receive a complimentary diploma cover at the end of the commencement ceremony.
