Celebrate with our graduating students and their families at 2025 Commencement.
Commencement Ambassador Invitation
About Commencement Ambassadors
Each year, members of the UMass Amherst faculty, staff, undergraduate students, retirees, and local community members volunteer to serve on a team of commencement ambassadors in variety of indispensable roles that support the celebration of our students' accomplishments. As an ambassador, you play a key role in making the day amazing! You help our guests to their seats, answer questions, guide graduates into the stadium, and maintain an enjoyable atmosphere for the family and friends of our graduates. Serving as a commencement ambassador allows you the opportunity to be there with the students, family members, friends, and guests we've all worked so hard to get to this place on their journey at UMass. It may even help you reconnect with and remember why you chose your current position in the community.
Perks for Participating
In addition to the unbeatable joy of celebrating the class of 2025 and in appreciation for your service to the university, all ambassadors will receive a commencement ambassador polo shirt, a hat, and meals will be provided.
Ambassador Attire
In addition to the polo shirt and hat provided, we asked the ambassadors wear comfortable business casual bottoms and close-toed shoes that maximize movement throughout the stadium and safety on the variety of surfaces found on the stadium and surrounding grounds (grass, gravel, pavement, flooring).
Like our graduates and guests, all commencement ambassadors will pass through security check points. We recommend limiting personal belongings to the essentials (keys, mobile phone, sun protection) when entering the stadium to increase efficiency at security.
Information Sessions and Training
Registered commencement ambassadors are invited to a Zoom information session in March and an on-site training session in the days preceeding the ceremony.
Ambassador Descriptions
Accessibility Ambassadors
Greet guests at the disability services entrance, escort guests to designated accessibility seats, distribute programs and guide guests to shuttles post ceremony. This particular entrance will service our guests with limited mobility and our guests of honor.
Guest Tent Ambassadors
Greet honored guests of the platform party as well as guests making use of accommodations for the hearing impaired, escort guests to designated seats, re-direct folks who do not have a reserved seat in the tent, and distribute programs. This particular opportunity is a great match for volunteers who are practiced in exercising both hospitality and diplomacy.
Guest Services and Roaming Ambassadors
Welcome guests at the main entrance, distribute programs, direct guests to their seats, and guide them out of the stadium after the ceremony. Guest service ambassadors can also serve as roaming ambassadors.
Student Assembly and Seating Assistants
You will experience the energy and excitement of the graduates as you greet them in Lot 11, escort them into the stadium and onto the field, and direct graduates off the field and to their waiting families when the ceremony is over. Sitting on the field with the graduates puts you in the center of it all!
Commencement Fair Ambassador
Get in the spirit of the commencement season by staffing a shift at the Commencement Fair. Be there as students pick up their regalia, mingle with Alumni Relations, pose for portraits, and prepare for the ceremony. Ambassadors assist with directions, cap and gown distribution, and flow of traffic.
Day of Details
Information on what to expect and instructions for the day of commencement will be posted during the spring semester including:
- shift lengths and times
- specific meals provided
- arrival and orientation times
- parking details
Additional information will be shared in a remote volunteer meeting prior to commencement and at an on-site orientation that will take place on the day of commencement.
At the day of orientation, you will be able to ask additional questions and connect with your group leader.