Labor Studies Class of 2024 Commencement

Congratulations!

The faculty and staff of Labor Studies are looking forward to sharing this wonderful occasion with you and your family!

The Labor Studies Graduation Ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 15th at 2pm in Covel Commons, Grand Horizon Room.

Please RSVP by Sunday, May 5th.

If you have any questions, please email them to laborstudies@irle.ucla.edu 

  • Declare your Degree Expected Term via MyUCLA.
  • Set up an appointment with Gloria Chan to make sure you’ve completed all your requirements.
  • Attend one of the graduation workshops offered through the College. All workshops hosted by College Academic Counseling can be found on MyUCLA and by going to the “Academics” tab and clicking on the “Workshops” link. Students are encouraged to register for workshops, though walk-ins are welcome space permitting.
  • Complete the “College Senior Survey” available on MyUCLA
  • Refer to the College Commencement Checklist which is designed to help you plan your last year at UCLA.
  • College Academic Counseling offers a variety of workshops designed for undergraduate students ranging in topics from academic programming, skills for academic success, and preparing for life after UCLA. More information about the iGrad Commencement workshop can be found here.
  • Registration: Each graduating student will be able to invite up to 4 guests at no cost. Physical tickets will not be distributed. Students and their guests will need to check-in at the registration table upon arrival. Commencement registration will open on April 3rd, 2024.
  • Cap and Gown: Regalia will not be required at the Labor Studies graduation ceremony. It’s optional. If you’d like to wear it, please order your cap, gown, and tassel from the UCLA Store.
  • Parking: Please reserve your parking permit in advance via Bruin ePermit Portal starting May 1st, 2024. Please refer to Commencement parking information here. Also, please refer to the directions to the parking structure and the venue here.
  • UCLA College Commencement: For information regarding UCLA College Commencement, please refer to the UCLA Commencement Website for general information and schedule.
  • Program:
    • 1:30 PM – Registration opens
      • Graduates and their guests will need to check-in at the registration table upon arrival.
      • Graduates will pick up their name cards at the registration table.
    • 2:00PM – Graduation Ceremony ​
      • Graduates will line up on one side of the stage.
      • Before going up to the stage, you will hand your name card to the Master of Ceremony so that they can read your name.
    • 3:30PM –  Reception
      • Light refreshments will be served right after the ceremony.

Keynote and Student Speakers

Meet Our Keynote Speaker, Cecily Myart-Cruz

Cecily Myart-Cruz is a teacher, activist, and the first woman of color to serve as United Teachers Los Angeles’ (UTLA) president. 

Myart-Cruz has been an educator for 28 years, at both elementary and middle school levels, most recently at Angeles Mesa Elementary School. Before being elected UTLA President, Cecily served as UTLA West Area Chair and National Education Association (NEA) Vice President. As UTLA’s Area chair, she organized boycotts of over-testing and worked with the community, parents, students, and educators to demand collaborative administrators centering the health and well-being of school sites. She is no stranger to taking direct action, whether it is fighting against co-locations by charter operators, demanding Ethnic Studies for students, working for the end of the criminalization of youth, or leading local and statewide lobbying efforts for more funding. 

Cecily is the Chair of the NEA Black Caucus and a member of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles. She has helped shape UTLA’s racial justice work through critical dialogue, workshops, forums, and conferences — all while making sure student voices are front and center. 

Cecily is also the proud mother of a LAUSD student.

Learn more about our Labor Studies Commencement speaker, here.

Meet Our Student Speakers, Sherrod Session and Micaela Aragón

Originally admitted as a business economics major, Sherrod discovered the Labor Studies program and became its 79th declared major. His passion for organized labor led him to establish the Labor Studies Student Union (LSSU), which unites students to raise awareness about labor campaigns and shared professional goals. As his time at UCLA concludes, Sherrod looks forward to attending law school at the University of Houston.

Born and raised in Peru, Micaela credits her upbringing with shaping her “in every way.” Growing up with the concept of collective responsibility instilled a steadfast determination to achieve her goals. At UCLA, she discovered the Labor Studies program through her communications work-study position. Throughout her time in the program, Micaela made a significant impact, conducting community-engaged research and even teaching her own course. After graduation, she plans to dive into research before eventually pursuing a PhD program.

Learn more about our Labor Studies Commencement student speakers, here.