School of Information 2026 Commencement
The commencement ceremony honors the class of 2026 with keynote speaker Vera Zakem and student speakers.
The ceremony honors graduates from all four School of Information degree programs: Ph.D. in information science, Master of Information Management and Systems (MIMS), Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS), and Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS), from Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026.
Outstanding master’s capstone projects will be honored with the Hal R. Varian MIDS Capstone Award, the Lily L. Chang MICS Capstone Award, the James R. Chen Award for outstanding MIMS final projects, and the Sarukkai Social Impact Award.
Tickets
Tickets are required for all guests.
| Adults | $15 |
|---|---|
| Children 10 and under | free |
Tickets may also be purchased by phone at (510) 642-9988 or in person at Zellerbach Hall during business hours. All tickets are general admission (open seating); there are no reserved seats. Adults can pick up a free child ticket at the Greek Theatre box office on the day of the event.
Email tickets@calperformances.org with any questions about guest tickets.
Keynote Speaker
Vera Zakem
Vera Zakem is the first woman to serve as California’s chief technology innovation officer; the former chief digital democracy and rights officer at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); and a 2025–26 UC Berkeley executive fellow in applied technology policy.
Zakem brings deep experience at the nexus of technology, democracy, industry, and public interest that resonates closely with the I School’s mission. She previously served in the Biden-Harris Administration as the U.S. Agency for International Development’s first-ever chief digital democracy and rights officer, where she led an agenda focused on rights-respecting technology, global coalition building, and AI for more than 100 lower- and middle-income countries.
As the first woman to lead technology innovation for the state of California, Zakem currently leads digital services and the state’s emerging technologies agenda at the California Department of Technology, driving partnerships across California, the nation, and the globe — with a focus on ensuring that technology works for all Californians.
Originally from California, her personal and professional story is shaped by ways that technology can be a force multiplier and a strength that brings society together from all paths, including academia, civil society, industry, and governments.
For Graduating Students
Location & Map
All guests should enter the North Gate of the Greek Theatre. The South Gate is not open to guests.
Parking & Transportation
AC Transit line 52 stops a half-block from the Hearst Greek Theatre.
Free Bear Transit campus shuttles connect Downtown Berkeley BART and university parking lots to the Hearst Greek Theatre.
Parking at university lots is $12 flat rate (debit or credit card only; no cash), available on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the ceremony. Graduating students and their guests may use the free Bear Transit campus shuttles to travel from the lot to the Hearst Greek Theatre.
Public parking is also available at the privately managed Stadium Garage; rates and hours may differ.
Contact
If you have questions about this event, please contact the student affairs team at studentaffairs@ischool.berkeley.edu.
Accessibility
If you require an accommodation for effective communication (ASL interpreting, CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.) or information about mobility access in order to fully participate in this event, please contact Inessa Gelfenboym Lee with as much advance notice as possible and at least 7–10 days in advance of the event.
