Convocation Ambassadors
Join us in celebrating academic achievements!
Convocation is a monumental celebration for SFU graduands, their loved ones, and the entire university community. Be part of the behind-the-scenes team that plays a crucial role in making convocation truly memorable. With shifts ranging from 1 to 3 hours, you'll play a vital role in creating lasting memories for our graduands. As a thank-you for your contributions, Convocation Ambassadors will be invited to a special celebration in the fall, hosted by President Joy Johnson.
Convocation will take place from June 8-12, 2026. There are two ceremonies daily at 9:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. (with the exception of Monday, June 8 that only has a 2:30 p.m. ceremony). See convocation schedule.
Benefits of being a Convocation Ambassador:
- Make a difference: it takes hundreds of staff, faculty, and students to bring this large celebration to life!
- Build connections: meet and work with a diverse group of people from the SFU community.
- Celebrate achievement: share in the joy and pride of graduands as they reach this pivotal milestone. After all, this is why we’re here!
How do I become a Convocation Ambassador?
Explore the diverse role descriptions below and find the perfect match for your interests and skills. Whether you're passionate about helping graduands, guest relations, or behind-the-scenes logistics, there's a role for you. Plus, why limit yourself to just one? Sign up for multiple roles to experience the multifaceted nature of this grand celebration!
Most roles require standing and/or walking for majority of the shift. If you have any accessibility requirements, please email convo@sfu.ca with the role in which you are interested and the details of your requirements.
Available Ambassador Roles:
- Regalia Pinning - GRADS (AQ 3000)
- Regalia Returns - GRADS (AQ 3000)
- Head Usher (Convocation Mall)
- Guest Entrance Guide (Convocation Mall)
- Guest Check-in Hand Stamper (Convocation Mall)
- Regalia Pinning - FACULTY/DIGNITARIES (Strand Hall)
- Regalia Returns - FACULTY/DIGNITARIES (Strand Hall)
- Line and Load Ambassador (Convocation Mall)
- Assist graduands with securely pinning degree hoods to gowns
- Ensure hoods are properly aligned and fastened according to guidance from regalia staff
- Provide calm, clear assistance to graduands who may be nervous or unfamiliar with regalia
- Assist with cap distribution as directed
- Assist with degree hood distribution as directed
- Help maintain an organized and efficient flow through the regalia area
Training and Support
- Watch the training video prior to your shift
- A brief onsite training and orientation will be provided at the start of the shift
Physical Requirements
- This role involves standing for most of the shift
- Requires basic hand dexterity for pinning hoods
- Suitable for people who are comfortable working in a busy indoor environment
Shifts
- Morning: 7:45 - 9:15 a.m.
- Afternoon: 12:30 - 2:15 p.m.
- Collect regalia and degree hoods from graduands following the ceremony
- Remove pins from hoods and gowns carefully and safely
- Sort and organize regalia according to instructions from regalia staff
- Prepare gowns and hoods for packing and shipping
Training and Support
- A brief onsite training and orientation will be provided at the start of the shift
Physical Requirements
- This role involves standing for most of the shift
- Requires basic hand dexterity to remove pins and handle garments
Shifts
- Morning: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Afternoon: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Head Ushers serve as the primary point of contact for guests and graduands on Convocation Mall during each ceremony. This role provides leadership, customer service, and on‑site coordination, ensuring that ceremonies run smoothly, safely, and with a welcoming, professional tone.
- Act as the first point of contact for guests and graduands on Convocation Mall, providing clear information, assistance, and customer service
- Oversee and support student ushers, ensuring they are positioned correctly and responding to questions or issues as they arise
- Ensure guests remain seated during the ceremony to support the safe and efficient movement of graduands through the event space
- Make guest announcements regarding ceremony logistics prior to and following each ceremony, as directed
- Support guests and graduands with accommodation needs, including guiding guests to the Accessible Seating area
- Monitor guest flow and behaviour to help maintain a calm, respectful ceremony environment
- In the event of an emergency, assist with evacuation procedures at the direction of the Director of Ceremonies and Events Protocol, safely guiding guests and graduands out of the event space
Training and Support
- Must attend a required training session prior to convocation
- Additional onsite briefing and support will be provided on the day of the ceremony
- Head Usher Ambassadors work closely with Ceremonies & Events staff and student ushers throughout the event
- This role involves extended periods of standing and moving throughout Convocation Mall
- Requires comfort working in large crowds and maintaining situational awareness
- Suitable for ambassadors who are confident, calm under pressure, and comfortable providing leadership in a public setting
Shifts
- Morning: 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
- Afternoon: 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Note: end times are variable and can shift a little depending on when the ceremony actually ends.
To register for this role, email Kris Nordgren at kdn1@sfu.ca.
Guest Entrance Guides are the first friendly point of contact for guests arriving at Convocation Mall. This role focuses on welcoming guests, providing clear directions, and ensuring everyone understands the entry requirements before proceeding into the venue.
Guest Entrance Guides will receive training materials in advance of their shift and will also participate in a brief onsite orientation when they arrive.
- Welcome guests as they arrive and guide them to the appropriate line‑up and entrance for Convocation Mall
- Clearly communicate entry requirements and procedures to guests waiting in line
- Answer general questions and provide helpful information to support a smooth guest experience
- Refer more complex questions or concerns to Box Office staff as needed
- Training documents will be provided prior to the shift for review
- A brief onsite training and orientation will be provided at the start of the shift
Physical Requirements
- Must be comfortable standing for the duration of the shift and working outdoors in varying weather conditions (undercover in Convo Mall)
Shifts
- Morning: 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.
- Afternoon: 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
- Greet guests as they arrive at the check‑in point
- Stamp each guest’s hand once their ticket has been successfully scanned
- You will be paired up with a staff member who scans in the ticket
- Answer basic guest questions or direct guests to the appropriate staff member for assistance
- Support an orderly and efficient flow of guests into Convocation Mall
- Training documents will be provided prior to the shift for review
- A brief onsite training and orientation will be provided at the start of the shift
Accessibility and Physical Requirements
- This role is primarily stationary and may be performed standing or seated
- Suitable for volunteers who use a wheelchair or require a seated position
- Volunteers should be comfortable remaining in one location for the duration of the shift
- Able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions (undercover in Convo Mall)
Shifts
- Morning: 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.
- Afternoon: 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
- Greet faculty members and dignitaries in a courteous, professional, and welcoming manner
- Assist participants with academic regalia, including gowns, degree hoods, and hats where applicable
- Ensure regalia is properly aligned, secured, and worn correctly, following guidance from regalia staff
- Provide general support and assistance to faculty and dignitaries as they prepare for the ceremony
- Refer complex regalia questions or concerns to the Regalia Room Lead
Training and Support
- Watch the training video prior to your shift
- A brief onsite training and orientation will be provided at the start of the shift
Physical Requirements
- This role involves standing for most of the shift, with movement within the regalia area
- Requires basic hand dexterity to assist with gowns, hoods, and fastenings
- Suitable for ambassadors comfortable working indoors in a formal, professional setting
Shifts
- Morning: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
- Afternoon: 1:15 - 2:15 p.m.
- Collect academic regalia from faculty members and dignitaries after the ceremony
- Remove pins from gowns carefully and safely
- Return gowns to designated racks
- Assist in maintaining an orderly and calm regalia return area
- Provide courteous, professional assistance to faculty and dignitaries as needed
- Refer questions or issues related to Regalia Room Lead as appropriate
Training and Support
- A brief onsite training and orientation will be provided at the start of the shift
- Regalia Room Lead to offer onsite support
Physical Requirements
- This role involves standing for most of the shift, with movement within the regalia area
- Requires basic hand dexterity to remove pins and handle garments
- Suitable for ambassadors comfortable working indoors in a formal, professional environment
Shifts
- Morning: 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
- Afternoon: 4:15 - 5:00 p.m.
Note: these times are variable and can shift a little depending on when the ceremony actually ends.
Line and Load Ambassadors support the smooth movement and seating of graduands throughout the convocation ceremony, including guiding graduands to and from the stage and working closely with ushers and event staff. This is an active role involving extended standing and walking. End times may vary depending on the length of the ceremony.
Location: Convocation Mall
Key Responsibilities
- Support graduands as they are lined up in order of degree prior to the procession to Convocation Mall, ensuring graduands are in the correct spot in line
- Support the procession from the AQ to Convocation Mall, where the graduands are "loaded in", or seated in their respective rows in Convocation Mall
- Guide graduands from their seats to the Convocation Mall stage, where they will have their graduation photo taken prior to walking across the stage, then guide them back to their seats
- Assist with seating late graduand arrivals
- Assist head ushers with keeping aisles clear and safe during and following the ceremony
- Assist with organizing any special instructions for graduands who require accommodations
- Identify and organize medal winners before processing to cross the stage
- Assist with seating the student speaker and soloists, following their speech or singing the national anthem
- Liaise closely with Head Usher, student ushers and Convocation Student Marshal regarding on-site issues and modifications to ceremony as needed
- Be familiar with emergency procedures
- Facilitate exit of graduands out of Convocation Mall as directed by Ceremonies & Events
Requirements
- Must be able to attend an in-person training session prior to convocation
- This is an active role that involves extended periods of standing, walking, and moving throughout the mall
- Must be comfortable navigating aisles and large crowds
- If you have accessibility needs or require accommodations, please let us know so we can explore alternate roles
Shifts
- Morning: 8:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- Afternoon: 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Note: end times are variable and can shift a little depending on when the ceremony actually ends.
Be part of something special - sign up to be a Convocation Ambassador today!
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our students and the community that has supported them along their journey. It also allows me to meet and connect with colleagues from different departments and experience an incredible sense of togetherness. It’s a meaningful reminder of why we’re here and why we do what we do.”
~D. Barroso, People, Equity and Inclusion