Recognizing the Work of Our Nighthawks at NOVA’s Inaugural Winter Commencement

Today’s topic is NOVA’s first-ever Winter Commencement.

More students are graduating from NOVA: completions are up over six percent in the last few years. This is a very good thing!

But, as our graduating classes grow, celebrating all of our soon-to-be alumni in a way that gives them their hard-earned moments in the spotlight has become more challenging. Last year, the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Success proposed having an on-campus Winter Commencement. Doing so would keep each ceremony smaller and the logistics easier, letting us focus on the reason we gather: our students.

NOVA is hosting three celebrations on Tuesday, December 14, and I can’t wait to recognize our newest Nighthawk alumni at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Center (on our Alexandria Campus) at 10 a.m., 3 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. Our college’s face covering policy will be followed at this event—our first in-person commencement in more than two-and-a-half years. I hope you will consider volunteering to support or serving as a faculty marshal at one or more of these very special ceremonies.

Our new Winter Commencement is a wonderful way to begin the holiday season, one made even brighter and more joyful by the success of our amazing students. Please join our Board, Administrative Council and me on December 14 to celebrate their bold and brilliant achievements!