Apply to be the Commencement Speaker or Artist
What is a Commencement Speaker?
The Commencement Speaker is a graduating student who opens the ceremony with a message to the graduates and ceremony guests. Commencement speakers often share stories about resiliency, community, culture, and education. The Commencement Speaker will have 2-4 minutes to offer their message.
The 2023 Commencement Speaker, Raul Ragudo, can be viewed on the MiraCosta College 2023 Commencement video.
What is a Commencement Artist?
Complimenting the Commencement Speaker, the Commencement Artist is also a powerful part of the commencement ceremony. This graduating student has the power to set the tone for the celebration offering a message delivered in the form of spoken word, poetry, dance, music, or other performance art. The Commencement Artist will have 2-4 minutes to share their art. If you aren't sure if your art would qualify, it probably will! So, please apply or email Jared Rodrigues at jrodrigues@miracosta.edu if you have any questions.
The 2022 Commencement Poet, Alesi Kamakanaokalani Meyers-Tuimavave can be viewed on the MiraCosta College 2022 Commencement video.
The 2023 Commencement Artist (Musician), Natalie Sumitra, can be viewed on the MiraCosta 2023 Commencement Video. Please note: there was an audio error on the video recording, but the live audio functioned properly for the audience to hear.
How do I Apply to be the Commencement Speaker and/ or Commencement Artist?
The Commencement Speaker application and the Commencement Artist application are on Engage. To apply, visit www.miracosta.edu/engage and click on “Forms.”
After you click on “FORMS,” the 2024 Commencement Artist Application and 2024 Commencement Speaker Application will populate. These are two different applications with similar, yet varying questions. Graduating students are welcome to apply for one or both roles.
When is the deadline to apply?
The deadline for Commencement Speaker has passed. The Commencement Artist deadline has been extended to 11:59 p.m. on March 31st, 2024.
Who selects the Commencement Speaker and Artist?
A committee of students, faculty, and student services employees review all applications. All names and identifying information is redacted, which means that the committee will not know the identity of the applicant when reviewing the initial applications.
After review of the applications, the committee will invite approximately 3-5 applicants to participate in a recorded zoom interview with the committee lead, Jared Rodrigues. Jared will then share the recording, including name of the interviewees, with the committee.
INTERVIEWS - SAVE THE DATE: If invited for an interview, the interviews will be held April 1ˢᵗ-4ᵗʰ. Interview time slots will be arranged at a later time.
After review of the recorded interview, the committee will collectively determine who the Commencement Speaker and Commencement Artist will be. While we often wish we could award the honor to multiple people, only one artist and one speaker will be selected.
The status of your application (selected to be the speaker or artist, or not selected to be the speaker or artist) will be shared with interviewees as soon as possible, likely around Monday, April 8ᵗʰ.
What happens if I am selected?
If you are selected to serve as the Commencement Speaker or Commencement Artist, you will have a team here to support you! You are invited to work with MiraCosta College faculty and staff who are prepared to help you craft your final draft. Sometimes, this means having someone simply offer minor feedback, or serve as an active listening participant for you to practice, or dialoguing with you about bringing your vision to life. We follow your lead and are here to offer whatever level of support you are interested in.
To allow time to prepare for closed captioning and/or translation of the commencement speech and commencement poetry, spoken word, or performance art, a final draft is due to the committee lead prior to the ceremony.
You will have time to practice on stage prior to the ceremony.
If selected, you will receive a free cap and gown to keep.
We will highlight you! This means that our Public Information Office would love to produce a story about you to celebrate you on our college’s website and social media. If selected, PIO will contact you for an interview.
Questions?
Please email Jared Rodrigues at jrodrigues@miracosta.edu with any questions.
