Friday, June 13, 2025
We look forward to celebrating Summer A 2024 through Spring C 2025 graduates virtually on Friday, June 13, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. CST.
Graduation is all about you and your journey to achieving excellence. You’ve worked hard, devoting your time and attention to pursuing your degree and creating opportunities for yourself and your family. Your achievements deserve to be celebrated! Graduates will receive communication via email and text, but can always visit this site to access regalia information, how to submit your grad photos and videos to NAU, and day-of streaming information.
Commencement Ceremony Details
The 2025 Commencement Ceremony for National American University and its Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security will be held Friday, June 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. CST. The ceremony will stream via YouTube and will go live at 6:00 p.m. The link will be shared with all graduates on the day of the ceremony and will also be posted on this page. There will be a 30-minute countdown before the virtual commencement at 5:30 p.m. CST where graduates, family and friends can interact with one another for a chance to wish each other congratulations and good luck! If you aren’t able to attend at that time, this page will remain accessible and the ceremony video will be available on NAU’s YouTube channel after the live stream.
2025 NAU Distinguished Alumni
Dr. Charise Breeden-Balaam
Dr. Charise Breeden-Balaam is a passionate leader in social work and higher education, currently serving as Field Placement Coordinator and Instructor at Marymount University. She earned her Ed.D. in Community College Leadership from National American University, where her research focused on food insecurity in urban community colleges.
A Licensed Social Worker, she also holds degrees from Rutgers University and Thomas Edison State University. Dr. Breeden-Balaam is an active member and national leader within organizations such as NABSW, NASPA, NCNW, and NAUW, and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is a strong advocate for mental health and educational equity and finds her greatest joy in being a mother to her two children, Dachary and Sadaqah.
2025 Commencement Speaker
Dr. Susie Kuilan
Dr. Susie S. Kuilan, a distinguished leader in both military and academic spheres, was recently confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the rank of Major General in the Army Reserve. Her military career includes leadership roles in institutional training commands and deployments, earning her accolades such as the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Academically, Dr. Kuilan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications, a Master’s in English, an MS in Strategic Studies, and a PhD in English. At National American University (NAU), she has served as Associate Dean of the Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security, contributing significantly to the institution’s academic leadership. Her promotion to Major General underscores her exceptional dedication and serves as an inspiration to the NAU community.
Graduates, we encourage you to order regalia for your celebration! Visit our school site at jostens.com to access ordering options for caps, gowns, accessories, and more.
The website will remain open through June 28, 2025, but orders are not guaranteed to reach you in time for commencement.
Order by May 1, 2025, to receive your regalia in time for the ceremony!
Submit your photos by may 16!
We can’t wait to show the world what you’ve accomplished. NAU would like the opportunity to feature photos of our 2025 graduates during virtual commencement and for a graduate gallery after the ceremony. Take a look at last year’s gallery for inspiration for your grad photo! If you would like to be featured, please submit your celebration photo!
We’d love to see you:
Holding your diploma
Celebrating with family
In your cap and gown
Turning your tassel
Submit your Videos by may 16!
NAU wants to share graduates’ stories throughout the ceremony via video submissions. Record a quick 15-30 second video of yourself discussing one or more of the topics below. Submit your video using our online form.
We’d love to see you:
Discuss what your degree means to you
Your experience at NAU
Your future goals
Your interpretation of this year’s theme – Effort to Excellence
Virtual Zoom Backgrounds Now Available!
Check out our new NAU Commencement 2025 Zoom backgrounds!
If you don’t have your regalia or diploma yet, this is a great way to snap a photo or create a short video that reflects the momentous occasion!
Submit your photo and/or video using the online form. We will be sharing the graduation picture gallery and ceremony on our social media accounts after graduation. Videos will be featured during the ceremony and on our social media channels. By submitting a picture or video, you grant NAU permission for NAU to post your image and video and use it on marketing materials.
By submitting your picture and/or video, you also have the opportunity to be highlighted on our social media accounts.
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