Commencement: Heinz College Hooding, Diploma & Awards Ceremony

We look forward to bringing our Heinz College community together to celebrate at our Heinz College Hooding, Diploma & Awards Ceremony. This page will be regularly updated, so check back for the most up-to-date information.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET (Check-In Time: 11:00 a.m. ET)
In-Person Location: Petersen Events Center, University of Pittsburgh Campus

Join us as we celebrate and recognize the achievements of our recent graduates!

The event is in-person and will also be broadcast via livestream on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Broadcast begins at 12:30 p.m. ET.

Livestream

Graduates from the following classes are eligible to participate in the Commencement events:

August 2025
December 2025
May 2026
August 2026 (Master's only)

Graduates must register online by April 15 in order to participate in the Heinz College Hooding, Diploma, and Awards Ceremony.

Ceremony Speakers

Former U.S. Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter Will Give the Keynote Address

We are honored to welcome Jonathan Kanter, former Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division at the U.S. Department of Justice and current Distinguished Service Professor at Heinz College, to deliver the keynote address at this year's Heinz College Diploma Ceremony.

Kanter served as Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he was the Administration’s most senior antitrust enforcement official from 2021-2024. He was nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in a bipartisan vote of 68-29.

As Assistant Attorney General, he led landmark enforcement efforts across major sectors including technology, healthcare, housing, media, labor, and defense. During his tenure, Kanter restructured and revived the Antitrust Division, an agency with over 800 employees and an annual budget that exceeded $300 million. Under his leadership, the Antitrust Division filed and won some of the most significant antitrust cases in U.S. history and developed innovative and successful approaches to legal policy and litigation.

Prior to his government service, Kanter was a partner and co-chair of the antitrust practice at a top international law firm and founder of his own successful boutique firm focused on antitrust enforcement and advocacy. He is a CNBC Contributor.

Samiha Islam (MSPPM-DA '26) Is Selected as Student Speaker

We are delighted to announce that this year's student speaker for the Heinz College Diploma Ceremony is Samiha Islam from the MSPPM-DA program. Samiha was selected by her peers to address our graduates at the Diploma Ceremony on Saturday, May 9. Congrats, Samiha!

Samiha is from Rochester, NY, and received dual bachelor’s degrees in statistics and in health and human services from the University at Buffalo. After commencement, Samiha plans to work in government or policy research roles that leverage her training in statistics, tax policy, and public‑interest technology to improve resource allocation and outcomes for marginalized communities.

Celebrate with Social Media

We encourage graduates, classmates, family members, and loved ones to share congratulatory message, photos, and videos on social media in the weeks and days leading up to and following the event.

Capture the magic of the day and tag us in your posts and on your story! Don’t forget to use #HNZGRAD26.

Tag us on:

Instagram: @heinzcollege
Facebook: Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy
LinkedIn: Carnegie Mellon University - Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy
TikTok @heinzcollege

Heinz College Ceremony Venue Details

The Heinz College Ceremony will be held at the Petersen Events Center to allow for ample space for all our graduates and their guests. NO TICKETS or REGISTRATION FOR GUESTS is needed. All seats will give you a good view, so no worries!

Directions and Parking
The Petersen Events Center is located at 3719 Terrace Street in the heart of Oakland. https://www.peterseneventscenter.com/directions-parking
- For all events, the University of Pittsburgh recommends that attendees park in the OC, TV, OH, PG or SO parking lots located near the Petersen Events Center. Event parking rates are $20 per vehicle cash or credit cards accepted. For additional parking information and parking locations, please call 412-624-4034 or view the map.
- The BioScience Tower Garage (BST) garage is the closest accessible parking garage to the Petersen Events Center. The BST garage accessible entrance is diagonal to the front of the building on Terrace Street. A valid placard or license plate is required to park in the accessible spaces in this garage. All guests are encouraged to arrive early in an attempt to secure parking that best accommodates their needs. The address of the BST garage is 3505 Terrace Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
Parking Map
View the Petersen Events Center Parking Map
Security and Policies
View all of the Petersen Events Center policies here.
Please note: The Petersen Events Center has a clear bag policy for ALL bags. Small clutch purses (roughly the size of a hand) are allowed.
Upon entering the Petersen Events Center, guests will undergo appropriate security-based screening.

FAQs

We know there's a lot on your mind as graduation approaches—we're here to make sure you don't forget the details!

Below, you'll find answers to common questions regarding some graduation basics like regalia and diplomas, as well as information about the CMU's in-person commencement activities.

May diplomas are distributed to certified graduates at the Heinz College Hooding, Diploma and Awards Ceremony. For graduates not attending or otherwise unable to receive their diploma during the ceremony, diplomas are distributed by mail starting in mid-June.
If you are an expected August graduate, your diploma will be mailed to you following certification of your degree.
August 2025 and December 2025 grads do not need to bring their diploma to the ceremony.
For more information about diplomas and distribution, please visit: https://www.cmu.edu/hub/registrar/graduation/index.html.
If you plan to attend the main commencement ceremony or your diploma ceremony, you are required to wear a cap, gown, and CMU hood with the plaid lining and the trim in the color of your CMU Masters degree. We will share information about how to purchase these items in the spring.
Other Details - Please visit CMU's Commencement website for additional information: https://www.cmu.edu/commencement