Commencement is a time-honored tradition – a time for celebration, recognition and reflection. At The University of New Mexico, it’s a tradition that intersects the past and the future embracing the state’s vibrant culture founded on wisdom that has been handed down from our elders—part of a colorful legacy inherited from all those who have shaped the past, present, and future of this rugged and beautiful land.

On Friday, Dec 16 at 6 p.m. at University Arena, The Pit, approximately 1,400 students from The University of New Mexico will graduate as part of the institution’s 2022 Fall Commencement and become a part of this historic legacy. The commencement ceremony honors all doctoral, master’s, bachelors and associate degree candidates from all schools, colleges, branch campuses and degree-granting programs.

About 1,419 students are projected to receive degrees from UNM’s Albuquerque and Extended University campuses including 960 bachelor’s degrees, 359 master’s degrees, 55 doctorates, 14 juris doctorates degrees, 6 medical doctorates, 0 pharmacy doctorates, 21 graduate certificates and 4 education specialists. An official degree count is determined following commencement. 

At UNM-Gallup, 51 associate degrees and 18 certificates are projected to be awarded; at Los Alamos, 22 associate degrees; at Taos, 11 associate degrees and 19 certificates; and at Valencia, 31 associate degrees and 18 certificates. 

An official degree count is determined following commencement.

Additionally, UNM will live-stream the ceremony on its Facebook and YouTube pages, and on Graduation.unm.edu.

Event Order
Following the National Anthem, sung by UNM Vocal Performance major Lore Hazard, and the Presentation of Colors by the UNM Color Guard, UNM President Garnett S. Stokes will provide a Welcome to begin the 2022 commencement exercises.

The keynote address will be presented by UNM alumna Cindy Nava. Nava, who came to the U.S. as a child from Chihuahua, Mexico, grew up as an undocumented immigrant in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, N.M. She managed to surpass many political barriers to become a first-generation high school and college graduate and has gone on to take unprecedented positions within education, immigration policy, and politics at the state and national levels.

As a public policy advocate and a former political strategist, Nava, a champion of immigrant rights, has utilized the power of her lived experiences to empower communities of color, youth, and leaders across the country through her work in the areas of policy, education, politics, leadership development, and advocacy. 

Nava recently obtained an unprecedented White House Presidential Appointment making her the first former DACA recipient in the U.S. to obtain a political appointee. Prior to the Presidential Appointment, she served as executive director of Transform Education NM from 2021-2022.

Various groups will also provide greetings as part of the ceremony including (in order):

Board of Regents’ Greeting
Douglas M. Brown, chair, UNM Board of Regents

ASUNM Greeting
Ian May, president, Associate Students of The University of New Mexico (ASUNM)

GPSA Greeting
Shaikh Ahmad, president, Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA)

Keynote Address
Cindy Nava, senior policy advisor to the Secretary U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Recognition of Graduates with Distinction
Garnett S. Stokes, UNM President

Remarks from Alumni Association
Amy Miller, president, UNM Alumni Association

Conferring Degrees in Course
Recognition of Doctoral and Terminal Degree Candidates
Recognition of Master’s Degree candidates
Recognition of Undergraduate Degree candidates

Tassel Ceremony
Garnett S. Stokes, UNM President

Alma Mater
Lore Hazard, UNM Vocal Performance major

For more information, including the 2022 Fall Commencement Livestream, and stories of Inspiring Graduates visit Class of 22.