Join the Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering as we celebrate the Class of 2025!
2025 Graduation & Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, June 11
6 – 8 p.m.
Husky Union Building (HUB) Ballroom, UW Seattle
Agenda
5 p.m. | Graduating student check-in begins |
5:30 p.m. | Doors open for families and friends |
6 p.m. | Graduation ceremony + Welcome remarks by HCDE Professor & Chair Julie Kientz |
8 p.m. | Conclusion |
New: Graduation Day Teach-In
June 11, 2 – 3 p.m. | 233 Sieg Building
Graduating students and their guests are invited to join HCDE Professor Kate Starbird for a special graduation-day teach-in: "Foundations and Futures of Human-Computer Interaction." Learn how technologies like the internet and computer mouse emerged from federally funded research and helped shape the field of human-computer interaction.
2025 Graduation Speaker
Dr. Leila Takayama is a Human-Robot Interaction researcher and consultant, who currently serves as the VP of Design at Robust.AI. Prior to joining Robust.AI, she was a tenured associate professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She also worked as a full-time researcher at Willow Garage and GoogleX. Dr. Takayama translates human-robot interaction research into actionable recommendations for the design of robotic products and services. Her clients include Fortune 100 companies, tech startups, and non-profit organizations. She has contributed to over a dozen robot products, including drones in the air; industrial, service, and consumer robots on the ground; and uncrewed robotic systems in the ocean. She graduated from Stanford University with a PhD in Communication (2008) and from UC Berkeley with BAs in Cognitive Science and Psychology (2003).
Information for graduates
RSVP by May 19
All graduating HCDE BS, MS, and PhD students must RSVP for the 2025 HCDE Graduation Ceremony using this Google Form (UW login required).
In the form, you'll submit a brief bio that will be read as you cross the stage. You may return to the form to edit your bio until June 4.
Directions & Parking
Plan your visit to the HUB by car, transit, or bike. The closest public parking is in Padelford Garage.
Regalia
Wearing regalia is traditional but not required. Students may order regalia through the UW regalia order form.
Need help? Watch this video for instructions on how to wear your cap, gown, and hood.
- Engineering undergraduates wear orange tassels.
- Master’s students wear orange hoods.
- MS and PhD graduates carry their hood draped over their left arm and hand it to a faculty member during the ceremony.
Day of the ceremony
- Student check-in: 5 p.m. in the HUB South Ballroom
- Guest entry: 5:30 p.m. through the main ballroom doors
- Graduates will be seated together in the center of the ballroom, grouped by degree level (BS, MS, PhD)
Please note:
- No food or refreshments will be provided. There is a convenience store and coffee shop on the HUB ground floor.
- The ceremony will be livestreamed on HCDE’s YouTube channel.
Livestream information
The event will be streamed live on HCDE’s Youtube channel.
Guest entry
- No tickets required — students may invite as many guests as they’d like.
- Ushers will guide guests to seating. To ensure safety and visibility, guests may not stand unless accommodations were requested in advance.
- Accessible seating is available near the front of the venue for guests with a disability. One additional guest may sit with each person who requires disability seating.
Prohibited items
- Bullhorns, megaphones, whistles, or other sound amplification devices.
- Signs larger than 24” x 24.”
- Guests with signs or balloons are asked to stay near the back of the room to avoid blocking views.
2025 Senior Class Gift Campaign
Celebrate the Class of 2025 by making a lasting impact on future HCDE students!
The HCDE Fund for Excellence supports extracurricular opportunities including networking events, guest speakers, student travel, and initiatives organized by HCDE's Student Associations. The HCDE graduating seniors chose this fund to enrich the student experience for years to come. Honor the Class of 2025 with a gift of $20.25 or any amount!
See also