Location: Reckord Armory
Commencement Speaker:
Diane J. Hoskins, FAIA
Global Co-Chair, Gensler
Washington, D.C.
Order of the Ceremony
WELCOME AND CONGRATULATIONS
Dawn Jourdan, Esq., Ph.D., AICP
Dean, School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation
KEYNOTE COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
Diane J. Hoskins, FAIA
Global Co-Chair, Gensler Washington, D.C.
RECOGNITION OF GRADUATES
Lindsey May, AIA, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs & Strategic Initiatives
Mohammad Gharipour, Ph.D., Director, Architecture Program
Clara Irazábal, Ph.D., Director, Urban Studies and Planning Program
Susan Kern, Ph.D., Director, Historic Preservation Program
Tanya Bansal, Director, Real Estate Development Program
Hiro Iseki, Ph.D., Director, Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning and Design Program
Commencement Speaker Biography
As Global Co-Chair of Gensler, Diane brings visionary and inspiring leadership focused on firm growth, energizing Gensler culture, elevating governance excellence, and equipping the firm for its continued leadership role in the future. As a hands-on leader, Diane believes in creating a compelling vision to inspire Gensler’s impact and influence through its platform of over 6,000 people networked across 57 offices, serving more than 3,500 clients in over 100 countries. Diane is focused on Gensler’s global strategies and organizational excellence to ensure Gensler services its clients with the world’s leading design and thought leadership. As the catalyst for the Gensler Research Institute, Diane is committed to delivering value to clients through data strategies and innovations like Gensler’s Workplace Performance Index® (WPI), City Pulse Survey and Experience Index.
With deep expertise in architecture, design, real estate, and business, Diane brings a bold vision to the built environment. As a Director of Boston Properties—the largest publicly traded real estate investment trust—she helps shape the future of commercial real estate at scale. Diane also sits on the Board of the Real Estate Roundtable, where she influences policy and innovation in the industry. She previously served as Global Chair of the Urban Land Institute, driving forward-thinking strategies in urban development, as well as Director of Washington Gas, a publicly traded utility company, playing a key role in the energy infrastructure of the Washington region.
A design leader with a global perspective, Diane was a featured speaker at the United Nation’s Habitat Assembly in Nairobi (2023) and Climate Action Summit in New York (2019). She has also spoken at the United Nations Climate Change Conference for three consecutive years—COP26 Glasgow, COP27 Sharm El-Sheikh, and COP28 Dubai. Her thought leadership and insights have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the Harvard Business Review, CNN, Forbes, Fast Company, NPR, Bloomberg, Business Insider, the New York Times and elsewhere. As an author, Diane brings forward the positive impact that design can have in our day to day lives through her book Design for a Radically Changing World, launched in 2024.
A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Diane graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and holds an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Diane has served as a member of many industry associations, including the CEO councils for the Wall Street Journal, FORTUNE, and Bloomberg. Previously, she served as a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Futures Council on Cities and Urbanization as well as the WEF Real Estate Industry Action Group.
Information:
Tickets: Each student will receive 6 tickets. There will be a lottery for additional tickets in late April. More information on ticket pick up will be sent in late April.
Accommodations: If you or your guests will need specific accommodations at the ceremony, please note that in the Commencement Information Form or email mapp.commencement@umd.edu as soon as possible., More information on accessibility can be found here.
Regalia: Academic regalia are the traditional dress for degree candidates participating in college, school and department convocations, as well as the university-wide commencement ceremony.
Bachelor's Degree Regalia: For those earning a bachelor’s degree, a black gown and mortarboard are worn. A black tassel with a custom UMCP medallion is attached. A custom UMCP red stole completes the regalia for bachelor’s degree candidates.
Master's Degree Candidates: Master’s degree students wear a modified gown with longer sleeves, the mortarboard with an attached UMCP black tassel, custom UMCP red stole, and a hood. The hood color represents your specific degree or discipline.
MAPP Graduate Regalia Colors
- Master of Architecture = Lavender
- Community Planning = Peacock Blue
- Historic Preservation = Lavender
- Real Estate Development = Lavender
- PhD = Red & Dark Blue
Additional information about regalia and how to purchase can be found here.
Bag Policy: Graduating students, please do not bring any purses or bags with you during procession. Bags are searched entering the theater and you will not be allowed to process with any bags.
The ceremony will also be live streamed. More information can be found on our website closer to the event.
Questions? Contact mapp.commencement@umd.edu