The NEIU Commencement Planning Committee has eliminated the December ceremony, which will take into effect in 2026. This was announced by NEIU President Katrina Bell-Jordan in an email to students, faculty and staff on Oct. 20, 2025.
This comes after several discussions within the Commencement Planning Committee and, according to the email sent by President Bell-Jordan, “thorough assessment of feedback from students, faculty, and staff, as well as an analysis of operational and budgetary factors.”
The Independent previously reported on plans to discontinue the December commencement ceremony. According to the report, Andy Duti, the executive director of the Student Union and chair of the Commencement Committee, spoke to the Student Government Association (SGA) in April, informing them of the committee’s consideration.
According to Executive Director Dutil, the budget for two commencement ceremonies is approximately $400,000. This decision now allows the Commencement Planning Committee to plan one ceremony over the course of an entire calendar year.
Starting in 2026, the winter and spring commencement ceremonies will occur on the same day and will be organized by its four colleges:
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Business and Technology
- College of Graduate Studies and Research
- Daniel L. Goodwin College of Education
This will also apply to NEIU’s nontraditional degree programs:
- B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies
- University Without Walls
This will amount to approximately 500-600 graduates per ceremony.
The Master’s Hooding Ceremony will continue to be held at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters.
The Academic Honors Ceremony will also be consolidated to be held in May, thus two ceremonies will occur over the span of one evening.
Students who complete their degree requirements in August and December 2026 will receive their diplomas on schedule and will be eligible to walk in the May 2027 ceremony, if they are able to. Fall 2027 graduates will not be able to participate in the May 2027 ceremony.
President Bell-Jordan stated in the email that NEIU’s Division of Student Affairs “will explore new ways to recognize December graduates and celebrate the community spirit of NEIU.”
All Fall 2025 commencement activities will still take place. The Academic Honors Ceremony is scheduled for Monday, December 8. The Master’s Hooding Ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, and the commencement ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, December 14. For more information on these events, visit NEIU’s website.
