Graduation 2023

The University Commencement will be held at 10:00 am EDT,  May 18, and all 2023 graduates are encouraged to participate. The event will take place at the EagleBank Arena. 

Commencement will be live-streamed by GMU-TV and the link will be posted on the graduation website.

The Degree Celebration begins promptly at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 19. We ask graduates to arrive at the EagleBank Arena parking lot wearing their regalia at 4:30 p.m.

Please be prepared to stay for the entire ceremony.

​Robert Simmons, EdD

Robert Simmons, EdD leads all social impact philanthropy and STEM programming in North America and STEM programming for Micron Technology and the Micron Foundation. As a noted scholar on issues of racial equity, Simmons also serves as a scholar in residence and Scholar of Antiracist Praxis at the School of Education at American University where he continues his research in the education policy and leadership department. 

As a member of the Diversity Scholars Network at the National Center for Institutional Diversity at the University of Michigan, his research for the last 15 years has focused on racial equity, STEM education, and the lived realities of historically marginalized communities across multiple K-12 contexts. More specifically, he explores the experiences of Black students and teachers, equity in STEM, and the lived experiences of Black fathers.

The founding director of the Center for Innovation in Urban Education at Loyola University, Simmons was one of the first African American men to become a tenured associate professor of science education and urban education, with a joint appointment in African/African American Studies, and served as a research associate at the Baltimore Education Research Consortium at Johns Hopkins University. 

Simmons has authored more than 50 publications, focusing on race and racial justice, including “Talking About Race,” a highly acclaimed edited collection of essays. His next book will focus on the experience of Black STEM teachers and Black fathers’ love for their sons identified on the autism spectrum.

A former middle school science teacher in the Detroit Public Schools with a doctorate in education, Simmons was nominated twice as the Walt Disney National Teacher of the Year and once for the Whitney and Elizabeth MacMillan Foundation Outstanding Educator Award. As a fellow with the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship Foundation and the Fulbright Memorial Fund, he traveled to Costa Rica and Japan to study educational systems and conduct environmental research in the rainforest.

Selected for the Outstanding Alumni Award from the College of Education and Human Development at Western Michigan University and the BE Modern Man Award from Black Enterprise, Simmons has dedicated over 20 years of his professional life to supporting urban youth, their families, and the community.

Ruben Jordan

Ruben Jordan was born in Bolivia and arrived in the U.S. at about two years old. Throughout his life, he lived in Northern Virginia, in Arlington. In 2004 he moved to Falls Church and graduated from Falls Church High School. 

After high school Ruben joined the United States Marine Corps and worked as a light armored vehicle mechanic, combat marksmanship coach and is currently striving to become a Marine Corps martial arts instructor.  

At Mason, he majored in Information Technology concentrating on web application development with a minor in business.  Ruben said he chose Mason because there were already a lot of familiar faces. Mason integrated well with his schedule and military obligations. 

Ruben has been employed in retail and volunteered since he was a high school student. He has served as a part-time sales advisor with Louis Vuitton for most of his educational career, moved into administration with Van Cleef & Arpels, and completed volunteer services with Wolf Trap Animal Rescue and Toys for Tots with his military unit. 

After graduation, Ruben aims to continue his military career as a commissioned officer in the US Marine Corps. He also plans to pursue a career using his degree within his current company or seek out a position in the government sector. 

The College of Engineering and Computing will have degree celebrations at 6:30 p.m. EDT, on Friday, May 19. The event will take place at the EagleBank Arena. 

Students and guests should plan to arrive early -- no later than 5:00 p.m.