Commencement
Commencement Ceremony
Empire State University is pleased to host a commencement ceremony in Albany in December 2026. Detailed ceremony information is posted to the Ceremony Information page and answers to some of our most commonly asked questions are available on the FAQ page.
How to Participate
Winter commencement eligibility requirements must be met by November 1, 2026. Eligibility criteria and information on how to participate can be found on the Eligibility and Participation webpage.
Students who are eligible to participate in Winter 2026 Commencement will receive email communications to their student email address (@sunyempire.edu) through the November 1 eligibility deadline. Email communications will contain a link to register to attend: all students looking to participate in a commencement ceremony must register.
Livestream
The ceremony will be livestreamed at SUNY Empire Live. The livestream feed will begin approximately five minutes prior to the start of the ceremony and will end when the ceremony has concluded.
Stay Connected
Once an Empire grad, always part of the Empire community. Our new alumni network on LinkedIn is officially live, so you can reconnect with classmates, meet graduates across industries, and find new ways to stay involved. Join the club.
Have a new address, a job promotion, a published book, or a community award? Help us stay in touch by updating your contact information and telling us your news. To learn more, visit Alumni and Giving.
Notice of Photographic and Media Recording
When you attend an Empire State University commencement ceremony, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to such photography, audio, and video recording and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for Empire State University’s promotional and marketing purposes now and in the future.