News

Commencement Updates for Classes of 2020 and 2021

Dear Members of the Syracuse University Community:

I write today to update you on our planning for Commencement for the classes of 2021 and 2020. As detailed below, our current planning recognizes generally improving public health conditions and growing access to vaccines. Still, public health officials caution vigilance and concern over highly infectious variants of the virus. Further, we are bound to follow all New York State health directives.  These trends and concerns are guiding our current thinking and planning.

Class of 2021

Commencement: The University will host in-person Commencement activities for graduates the weekend of May 22 and 23. We will do everything possible to make this year’s celebration special for our graduates. However, this year’s activities will be different than years past. For example, depending on occupancy guidelines, we may host more than one ceremony to accommodate all our graduates. Many of these details are still being worked out and remain contingent on state directives.

Convocations: All school and college convocations will be hosted virtually this year. The planning group is working with the deans of each school and college to create meaningful virtual convocations. All will be livestreamed.

Graduate Hooding Ceremony/ROTC Commissioning: Both the Graduate Hooding Ceremony and the ROTC Commissioning event will be held in-person for participants. These events will also be livestreamed for virtual participation.

Other Events and Activities: Other Commencement-related activities, such as departmental recognitions, honor society events, etc., will be held virtually.

Guest Attendance: At this time, it is unclear if guests will be allowed to attend Commencement activities. We hope to receive guidance from the New York State Department of Health soon. We will provide clarity regarding guest attendance as soon as we have more information, so that families can plan accordingly. Regardless of the state’s guidance on guests, Commencement will take place for students on campus and will be livestreamed so all families, friends and loved ones can watch the ceremony.

Class of 2020

Last year, at the onset of the pandemic, the University was forced to postpone all in-person Commencement activities for the Class of 2020. Subject to continued improvement in public health conditions and relaxation of government restrictions, Syracuse University will host Commencement for the Class of 2020 on Sunday, Sept. 19. Graduates will receive more information about the weekend’s activities as our planning progresses. In a survey conducted last year, our Class of 2020 graduates were clear that they wanted a traditional and robust in-person celebration in the stadium with their family members, friends and loved ones in attendance. The University will keep its promise to our graduates.

Rest assured that there is nothing Syracuse University wants more than to celebrate our graduates with all the pomp and circumstance they deserve. That’s what we plan for.  That’s what we hope for. And that’s what we intend to do.

I appreciate your continued patience as we navigate these challenging circumstances.

Sincerely,

Chancellor Kent Syverud

Syracuse University Partners With Syracuse City School District to Provide Pathways to Higher Learning

Syracuse University embraces its commitment to promoting positive change that simultaneously advances knowledge and opportunity for all citizens. A large part of that commitment is providing access to a Syracuse University education to local high school students.

In partnership with the Syracuse City School District, the University will offer scholarships to up to 36 rising high school juniors to explore college life through its Summer College Program. Sponsorship of the city school students was made possible, in part, through a generous donation from IBEW Local 43 and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Finger Lakes Chapter.

Read the full story

Diploma Symbolizes Decades of Sacrifice and Determination

Katherine O’Neil Veley graduated from Syracuse University in 2020 with a degree in creative leadership from University College (UC). Like the thousands of other students in the Class of 2020, Veley waited with excitement and anticipation for the day she would walk the stage with her friends, family and co-workers cheering her on and celebrating her success. Instead, she received a large white envelope in the mail with her diploma enclosed.

Veley, a former Syracuse University employee, spent decades earning that degree. She began college right out of high school, but life got in the way and she didn’t return for a second year. Instead, she joined the workforce. Her work experience eventually led to a job at the University. As part of a campus community, Veley soon understood the importance of a college degree.

Read Veley’s Full Story

New Scholarship to Support Undergraduate Students from Underrepresented Groups

University College announces the establishment of the Our Time has Come Scholarship (OTHC) to support undergraduate students from underrepresented groups. The initial funding was generated from an Orange Academy course, Voices Matters: Why you Need to Talk about Race taught by Jeffrey Mangram and Chandice Haste-Jackson.

“We are excited to provide additional financial support to our part-time students attending Syracuse University,” says Dean Michael Frasciello. “The University College Our Time Has Come scholarship extends the OTCH’s extraordinary program of leadership development and networking opportunities to our online undergraduate students.”

The scholarship will be used each year to provide financial assistance to undergraduate students enrolled at University College.

“I am thrilled to count University College among several schools and colleges at SU with OTHC scholarships, especially during this critical time,” says Rachel Vassel, associate vice president of multicultural advancement.  “OTHC has supported underrepresented students at the university for over 30 years and we are looking forward to serving many talented UC students in the future.”

To learn more about scholarships for part-time students or to donate to this scholarship fund, contact Jeffry Comanici, executive director of post traditional advancement, at jjcomani@syr.edu or 315.443.1409.

Support this scholarship

University College Adds In-Demand Certificate to its Portfolio of Noncredit Online Offerings

University College is expanding its Professional Development and Executive Education portfolio to include a Tableau data analytics certificate. In partnership with Pathstream, an online digital skills provider, University College adds the Tableau data analytics certificate to its current portfolio which includes the Facebook digital marketing certificate, the Asana project management certificate, the Salesforce administrator career certificate and the Unity immersive design certificate.

These hands-on certificates equip students with career-aligned digital skills to prepare them for their next job, promotion, or the launch of their own business. Programs are focused on career areas with high demand and job growth such as data analytics and digital marketing. There are no prerequisites and the courses are designed to fit into the lives of full-time employees and parents looking to change careers, get back in the workforce, or upskill.

Throughout the programs, students practice their digital skills in online labs and projects based on real-world workplace scenarios, which simulate experiences they will encounter on the job.  Each certificate includes 10 hours of career navigation content and Pathstream provides students with career services to help them land a new job after the program. Upon successful completion, students earn a certificate co-branded by Syracuse University and the partnered technology company.

These programs will begin in May and will have several start dates throughout the year. Registration is currently open. For more information, visit our website.