GSEHD Commencement
The Graduate School of Education and Human Development
2025 Commencement Celebration
GSEHD proudly invites the Class of 2025 and your guests to our celebratory events.
Schedule of Events
GSEHD School Celebration
& Doctoral Hooding
Saturday, May 17, 2025
8:30 a.m. EDT
Charles E. Smith Center
Graduates will receive 8 guest tickets.
GW Commencement
Sunday, May 18, 2025
10:30 a.m. EDT
National Mall
Graduates will receive 6 guest tickets.
Unable to attend?
- GSEHD events will be live-streamed on this page.
- Commencement on the National Mall will be live-streamed via web and social media on the day of the event.
- Following the events, video recordings will be posted on this page or the Commencement website.
Register for Commencement Events
Graduation Surveys
You must complete the survey before you can register for Commencement events (please wait 6 hours after completion before attempting to register for Commencement events). The survey is designed to help GW and GSEHD learn more about your experience and future plan.
Guest Tickets
Students must register themselves and their guests to attend Commencement events. Each graduate will receive up to the listed number of electronic guest tickets for each of the events above. If additional tickets are needed, you can add guests to the waitlist in case additional space is available. Guests who are 2 years old or younger do not require a ticket but must sit in the lap of a ticketed guest.
How to Register
Graduating students must apply to graduate and complete the mandatory graduation survey before registering for Commencement. If you have questions about the registration process, refer to the how to register guide or contact [email protected].
GSEHD Graduation Speakers
Keynote Address
Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee (MA '98)
Chancellor of DC Public Schools
Student Speaker
Jacqueline T. Hatch
Master's in International Education
- Read More About Dr. Lewis Ferebee
Since 2018, Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee has served as Chancellor of DC Public Schools (DCPS). As a veteran education leader, he has over two decades of experience as a teacher, principal, and district leader. Under Dr. Ferebee’s leadership, DCPS has surpassed enrollment of a record 52,000 students, improved graduation rates by 12%, and was recognized by Harvard and Stanford Universities as a national leader in post-pandemic academic recovery. Most recently, the district achieved the greatest gains in 4th grade math among large-city districts, according to the Nation’s Report Card.
Prior to joining DCPS, Dr. Ferebee served as Superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools, where he successfully raised the district's graduation rate by 15%. Before his tenure in Indianapolis, Dr. Ferebee was the Chief of Staff for Durham Public Schools.
As a leader within the education space, Dr. Ferebee has received extensive recognition for his accomplishments in advancing student achievement. He was named Principal of the Year in North Carolina’s Guilford County Schools, recognized as one of Education Week’s Leaders to Learn From, and received Marian University’s John A. Purdie Innovator and Mentor of the Year Award.
Dr. Ferebee earned his doctorate in educational leadership from East Carolina University, a master's degree in school administration from the George Washington University, and a bachelor's degree in elementary education from North Carolina Central University.- Read More About Jacqueline Hatch
Jacqui is a proud graduate of GSEHD’s International Education Program, where she focused on the nexus of Development and Higher Education. During her time at GW Jacqui served as a Lab Leader of the Refugee Educational Advancement Lab (REAL), and the International Education Association (IEA) President. She also worked in various government capacities, served as an associate board member and taught ESL for the Washington English Center, and contributed research to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Institute of International Education (iie). Last Fall, Jacqui served as the inaugural United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Graduate Fellow at the Geneva Liaison Office (GLO) where she served as a panelist on the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues, pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions, advocating for minority issues and self-representation in spaces of learning. She’d like to share her gratitude with her cohort and the IEP faculty for what has been an incomparable graduate experience.
Plan Your Visit
Parking
GSEHD Events
Visitor Parking: Explore on-campus options >
Metro: Lisner Auditorium and the Smith Center are located 3 blocks from the Foggy Bottom/GWU metro stop on the blue, orange, and silver lines.
GW Commencement
Read more about parking, accessibility, etc. in GW Today.
Lodging
There are many options for lodging across the D.C. area, including some options that are close to the National Mall. Be sure to ask any hotel if they offer a discount for the weekend of GW’s Commencement.
Things To Do
Explore these neighborhood favorites for food options and things to do around Foggy Bottom in-between celebrating your graduate. Explore historic sites, take in the arts, or enjoy some time outdoors.
Accessibility
GW is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. Please see the information regarding Smith Center and National Mall accessibility on the University Commencement website. Closed captions and ASL interpretation will be provided at each event.
Questions?
If you have questions about GW's commencement ceremonies, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions or contact [email protected]. For GSEHD events, contact [email protected].
Regalia
All students participating in school celebrations and Commencement on the National Mall must wear regalia. Active service members may wear their dress uniform in lieu of regalia. Graduates may order regalia online through April 2.
Keepsakes
Information about additional purchases such as announcements, diploma frames, yearbooks and class rings will be shared in the future. The GW Campus Store offers alumni clothing and gifts.
GIFs: Search gwcommencement in the GIF feature of Instagram and Snapchat to add GW Commencement stickers to your stories.
GW ALMA MATER
Hail Alma Mater
To thy spirit guiding,
Knowledge thy closest friend
In its strength abiding,
Pledge we fidelity
Ne'er its place resigning,
Hail thee George Washington!