Commencement Speakers

Inspiring Graduating Classes with Commencement Wisdom: Messages from Distinguished Speakers

List of Commencement Speakers

Commencement is an often anticipated ceremony where college graduates are awarded with their degree or diploma. For many students, commencement is a huge milestone in their academic or professional careers, and a time where they can celebrate all of their achievements at their institution. As graduates are ushered into the next chapter of their lives, an inspiring commencement speaker's message can stay with them for years after they hang up their cap and gown. These celebrities, business speakers, industry leaders, and successful alumni are accomplished keynote speakers who are a perfect addition to college graduation day.

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Diana Nyad
(3 ratings)

World Champion Swimmer & First Person to Swim from Cuba to Florida; Author, Sports Journalist & Broadcaster; Co-Founder, BravaBody & EverWalk

Gary Sinise
(2 ratings)

Actor Known for "Forrest Gump"; Advocate for America's Servicemen & Women; Founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation

Brandi Chastain
(5 ratings)

Retired Professional Soccer Player, Two-Time FIFA Women's World Cup Champion & Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist; Co-Founder of BAWSI

Common
(1 rating)

Award-Winning Hip-Hop Artist, Actor, Producer & Social Justice Activist

Dr. Marc Lamont Hill
(10 ratings)

Presidential Professor at CUNY Graduate Center, BET News Correspondent, Human Rights Activist & Author

Shannon Miller
(9 ratings)

Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist; Cancer Survivor & CEO of Salto Health; Author and Broadcaster

Van Jones
(6 ratings)

Emmy Award-Winning TV Host, Political Strategist & Producer; Civil Rights & Environmental Advocate; NYT Bestselling Author; CEO of REFORM Alliance

Mindy Kaling
(1 rating)

Award-Winning Actor, Comedian, Writer, Director & Producer; Bestselling Author; Known for "The Office" & "The Mindy Project"

Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour
(6 ratings)

America’s First Black Female Combat Pilot, Mindset & Peak Performance Leadership Consultant, Former Marine; Author of "Zero to Breakthrough: Accomplishing Goals That Matter”

Tiffany Haddish
(1 rating)

Emmy & Grammy Award-Winning Comedian, Actress & Dancer Known for "Bad Trip," "Black Mitzvah" & "The Afterparty"; Author, "The Last Black Unicorn"

John Mulaney
(1 rating)

Stand-Up Comedian & Former Writer for "Saturday Night Live"; Host of Netflix's "Everybody's Live"

Donna Brazile
(6 ratings)

Veteran Political Strategist, Best-Selling Author & Former Interim Chair of the DNC; Professor in Women and Gender Studies at Georgetown

Gary Vaynerchuk
(9 ratings)

Entrepreneur, Business Futurist, Angel Investor; Trend Spotter in Culture & Technology; Co-Founder & CEO of VaynerMedia

Eduardo Briceño
(29 ratings)

Growth Mindset Facilitator, Founder & CEO at Growth.how, Former CEO of Mindset Works

Carl Bernstein
(3 ratings)

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist, Bestselling Author & Political Analyst; Known for Uncovering the Watergate Scandal; Co-Wrote "All the President's Men" & "The Final Days"

Taraji P. Henson

Golden Globe Award-Winning Actress & Producer; Known for "Empire" & "Hidden Figures"; Author of "Around the Way Girl"; Mental Health Advocate

Mark Cuban

Serial Entrepreneur, Investor & Co-Founder of Cost Plus Drugs; Former Shark on ABC's "Shark Tank"

Quinta Brunson

Emmy Award-Winning Creator of ABC's "Abbott Elementary;" Writer, Actress & Stand-Up Comedian

Tracee Ellis Ross

Actress, Producer & Chief Executive Officer at PATTERN

Monica Lewinsky
(1 rating)

Producer, Social Activist & Contributing Editor to Vanity Fair; Expert on Cyberbullying, Women's Issues & Reinvention