The 63rd SPCS Commencement exercises were held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in the Robins Center Arena. The ceremony was live streamed, and the event recording, along with photos and commencement features, appear on this page.
No events scheduled at this time.
As an adult learner, Grace Riley chose SPCS for its human-centered, in-person experience and faculty mentorship. She’s graduating with confidence — and stepping straight into an Assistant Clerk role at the Virginia State Bar.
By balancing her career as a custodial manager with her studies, Nyreng Dut, C’26, is proving that it is never too late to pursue a degree — and inspiring her family along the way.
Married classmates Ashley Seal and Karen E. Richardson completed the Educational Leadership & Policy Studies master’s program together, balancing family, work, and classrooms while building leadership skills. Their joint experience underscores the practical value of in‑person learning and a cohort community.
After completing the M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction in December 2025, art teacher Clara Swartz translated graduate study into daily classroom practice. She credits the School of Professional and Continuing Studies with a rigorous, supportive path from student teacher to award-winning educator.
The School of Professional and Continuing Studies continued its tradition of honoring excellence among students, faculty and alumni during its annual SPCS Night celebration on May 6, 2026.
As part of a long-standing tradition, a graduating student, faculty member, and an alum will address School of Professional and Continuing Studies graduates during the the School’s graduation ceremony at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 9.
At the 2026 SPCS Commencement ceremony on May 9, adjunct assistant professor Jennifer J. Smith‑Slabaugh urged graduates to pair lifelong learning with generosity to create lasting community impact, drawing on two decades of nonprofit leadership and a decade of night‑school perseverance to model what it means to keep growing.
At the University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies Commencement on May 9, 2026, student speaker Margaret “Meg” Baly, W’88, L’92, GC’25, shared a message of gratitude, advocacy, and connection shaped by her return to earn a Master of Teaching.
At the University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies Commencement on May 9, 2026, Gibb Family Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Tavorise M. Marks, C’18, challenged graduates to lead from lived experience, keep learning with courage, and give back through the Spider network.
The School of Professional and Continuing Studies 2025 Commencement ceremony celebrated the graduation of students earning 11 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates.
Commencement Participants
Visit the SPCS Night page for a list of students who earned the honor of participating in Commencement as University Mace bearer, U.S. flag bearer, University flag bearer, SPCS banner bearer, and student speaker. The page also lists student and faculty awards that were included in the Commencement program.
Commencement Addresses
Additional Resources
The School of Professional and Continuing Studies 2024 Commencement ceremony celebrated the graduation of students earning 11 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates.
Commencement Participants
Visit the SPCS Night page for a list of students who earned the honor of participating in Commencement as University Mace bearer, U.S. flag bearer, University flag bearer, SPCS banner bearer, and student speaker. The page also lists student and faculty awards that were included in the Commencement program.
Commencement Addresses
Additional Resources
The School of Professional and Continuing Studies 2023 Commencement ceremony celebrated the graduation of students earning 11 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates.
Commencement Participants
Visit the SPCS Night page for a list of students who earned the honor of participating in Commencement as University Mace bearer, U.S. flag bearer, University flag bearer, SPCS banner bearer, and student speaker. The page also lists student and faculty awards that were included in the Commencement program.
Commencement Addresses
The School of Professional and Continuing Studies 2022 Commencement ceremony celebrated the graduation of students earning 11 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates.
Commencement Participants
Visit the SPCS Night page for a list of students who earned the honor of participating in Commencement as University Mace bearer, U.S. flag bearer, University flag bearer, SPCS banner bearer, and student speaker. The page also lists student and faculty awards that were included in the Commencement program.
Commencement Addresses
The School of Professional and Continuing Studies 2021 Commencement ceremony celebrated the graduation of students earning 11 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. Also held on the same day was a ceremony for the class of 2020, which was unable to celebrate commencement as usual due to the pandemic.
Commencement Participants
Visit the SPCS Night page for a list of students who earned the honor of participating in Commencement as University Mace bearer, U.S. flag bearer, University flag bearer, SPCS banner bearer, and student speaker. The page also lists student and faculty awards that were included in the Commencement program.
Commencement Addresses
The School of Professional and Continuing Studies, following health and safety guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic, did not hold the 2020 Commencement ceremony as usual. Instead, we used the two weeks around our traditional Commencement date to celebrate our graduating students and award winners.
Commencement Participants
Visit the SPCS Night page for a list of students who earned the honor of participating in Commencement (but were unable to do so) as University Mace bearer, U.S. flag bearer, University flag bearer, SPCS banner bearer, and introducer of the Commencement speaker. The page also lists student and faculty awards that would have been included in the Commencement program.
Commencement Speaker
SPCS selected Commencements speakers. Since they were unable to give their addresses, we asked them to write reflections on their experience in SPCS.
President’s Message to the Class of 2020
The School of Professional and Continuing Studies 2019 Commencement ceremony celebrated the graduation of students earning 11 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates.
Commencement Participants
Visit the SPCS Night page for a list of students who earned the honor of participating in Commencement as University Mace bearer, U.S. flag bearer, University flag bearer, SPCS banner bearer, and introducer of the Commencement speaker. The page also lists student and faculty awards that were included in the Commencement program.
Commencement Addresses
The School of Professional and Continuing Studies 2018 Commencement ceremony celebrated the graduation of students earning 11 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates.
Commencement Participants
Visit the SPCS Night page for a list of students who earned the honor of participating in Commencement as University Mace bearer, U.S. flag bearer, University flag bearer, SPCS banner bearer, and introducer of the Commencement speaker. The page also lists student and faculty awards that were included in the Commencement program.
Commencement Addresses
The School of Professional and Continuing Studies 2017 Commencement ceremony celebrated the graduation of students earning 11 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates.
Commencement Participants
Visit the SPCS Night page for a list of students who earned the honor of participating in Commencement as University Mace bearer, U.S. flag bearer, University flag bearer, SPCS banner bearer, and introducer of the Commencement speaker. The page also lists student and faculty awards that were included in the Commencement program.
Commencement Addresses
The School of Professional and Continuing Studies 2016 Commencement ceremony celebrated the graduation of students earning 11 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates.
Commencement Participants
Visit the SPCS Night page for a list of students who earned the honor of participating in Commencement as University Mace bearer, U.S. flag bearer, University flag bearer, SPCS banner bearer, and introducer of the Commencement speaker. The page also lists student and faculty awards that were included in the Commencement program.
Commencement Addresses
The School of Professional and Continuing Studies 2015 Commencement ceremony celebrated the graduation of students earning 11 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates.
Commencement Participants
Visit the SPCS Night page for a list of students who earned the honor of participating in Commencement as University Mace bearer, U.S. flag bearer, University flag bearer, SPCS banner bearer, and introducer of the Commencement speaker. The page also lists student and faculty awards that were included in the Commencement program.
Commencement Addresses
The School of Professional and Continuing Studies 2014 Commencement ceremony celebrated the graduation of students earning 13 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates.
Commencement Participants
Visit the SPCS Night page for a list of students who earned the honor of participating in Commencement as University Mace bearer, U.S. flag bearer, University flag bearer, SPCS banner bearer, and introducer of the Commencement speaker. The page also lists student and faculty awards that were included in the Commencement program.
Commencement Addresses
The School of Professional and Continuing Studies 2013 Commencement ceremony culminated the School’s Fiftieth Anniversary celebration with a special address by Richmond president Dr. Edward L. Ayers.
Commencement Participants
Visit the SPCS Night page for a list of students who earned the honor of participating in Commencement as University Mace bearer, U.S. flag bearer, University flag bearer, SPCS banner bearer, and introducer of the Commencement speaker. The page also lists student and faculty awards that were included in the Commencement program.
Commencement Addresses
In addition to these speakers, Dr. Edward L. Ayers, University president, was invited to offer the School’s 50th anniversary commemorative address.
The School of Continuing Studies 2012 Commencement ceremony invoked University and School traditions in conferring degrees on graduates.
Commencement Participants
Visit the SCS Night page for a list of students who earned the honor of participating in Commencement as University Mace bearer, U.S. flag bearer, University flag bearer, SCS banner bearer, and introducer of the Commencement speaker. The page also lists student and faculty awards that were included in the Commencement program.
Commencement Addresses