School of Nursing 2023 Commencement Ceremony
June 12, 2023, 6 p.m.
Herbst Theatre, San Francisco
We are excited to celebrate your achievements at the School of Nursing's 2023 commencement!
Commencement Livestream
Access the commencement livestream on the day of the event:
Commencement Program
View and download the Commencement Program. The celebration will include:
- A welcome from UCSF and UCSF School of Nursing leaders
- Remarks from student speakers
- Keynote address by president of the UCSF Health Affiliates Network
- Recognition of the 2023 award recipients
- Conferral of degrees and presentation of certificates
Keynote Speaker
Shelby Decosta, MHA, president of the UCSF Health Affiliates Network and chief development officer at UCSF Health, will deliver the evening's keynote address.
Decosta is responsible for managing affiliate relationships, overseeing network operations and clinical quality, and ensuring successful alignment with UCSF Health strategic priorities. She also oversees international and executive health, managed care contracting, marketing and brand experience, mergers and acquisitions, and partnership development.
Before joining UCSF Health in 2015, Decosta was senior vice president of mergers, acquisitions and partnerships at Trinity Health in Michigan. She also served in various strategy roles at Dignity Health and Kaiser Permanente. Decosta earned a bachelor's degree in health promotion and disease prevention/health policy and management at the University of Southern California. She holds a master's degree in health care administration at USC.
Class Speakers
- Kate Oppegaard, PhD speaker
- Alicia Bacchus, DNP speaker
- Carolyn Bogard, DNP speaker
- Heather Coyne, Master of Science speaker
Class Marshals
- Linda Franck, PhD class marshal
- Marianne Hultgren, DNP class marshal
- Lisa Mihaly, Master of Science class marshal
Commencement Tickets for Guests
Each graduating student was invited to submit the names of up to three guests by April 28. We carefully tabulated the number of graduating students, guests with tickets, faculty and event staff. In addition, to free up additional seats on the theater floor for more guests, we are seating the graduating doctoral students on stage with faculty. After these groups were accounted for, we determined we had 150 unused tickets. Unused tickets were made available to students who wanted to invite more guests. Sign-up for the lottery for additional tickets closed on May 22.
All of the students who signed up through the lottery for one or two additional guest tickets will receive these extra tickets. Unfortunately, we do not have any more tickets to accommodate a third extra ticket for guests.
When you receive the tickets, please forward them to your guests. Guests will be required to show their ticket - in paper or digital form - as they enter Herbst Theatre. The ticket must be shown again to venue ushers if the guest exits and re-enters the auditorium, such as when using the restroom.
Commencement FAQs
Do graduating students need a commencement ticket?
No, graduating students do not need to reserve a ticket for themselves; these tickets are for guests.
I'm bringing an infant to commencement. Does the infant need a ticket?
Under Herbst Theatre's policy, if an infant is in a carrier, stroller or "in arms" when they arrive, they are not required to have a ticket. They will be held by a guardian during the event. The guardian will need to have a seat and a ticket to enter the theater, and should be listed as one of our guests.
Do guests need to have their tickets with them to enter the theater?
Yes, guests will be required to show their ticket - either in paper or digital form - as they enter Herbst Theatre. Graduating students will receive a ticket for each guest through Eventbrite via email and should forward the tickets to their guests. In addition, the tickets must be shown again to Herbst Theatre's ushers if the guest exits and re-enters the auditorium, such as when using the restroom.
What time will guests be admitted to Herbst Theatre?
Guests will be admitted at 5:00 p.m. The ceremony begins at 6:00 p.m. All invited guests enter the theater through the main front entrance on Van Ness Avenue. Guests will check in at the three tables located on the right side of the lobby as they enter.
Parking and Public Transportation
Herbst Theatre is located at 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102.
Parking - The following parking lots are located near Herbst Theatre:
- Performing Arts Garage: 360 Grove St.; 600 spaces; enter on Grove and Gough; M-F: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.; More information
- Civic Center Plaza Garage: 355 McAllister St.; 843 spaces; enter on McAllister; M-F: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.; More information
- California Parking: corner of Hickory and Franklin; 28 spaces; enter on Hickory or Franklin
- Place 2 Park: corner of Oak and Franklin; 45 spaces; enter on Franklin
- Douglas Parking: Polk and Fell; 50 spaces; enter on Polk
- Place 2 Park: Polk and Hayes; enter on Polk or Hayes
- Central Parking System: Polk and Hayes; 90 spaces; enter on Hayes
- Opera Plaza (Valet Parking): 601 Van Ness Avenue between Golden Gate and Turk; 150 spaces; enter on Golden Gate or Turk
- Place 2 Park on Golden Gate: between Gough and Franklin; 52 spaces; enter on Golden Gate
Public Transportation - Public Transportation and trip planning for the entire San Francisco Bay Area can be found online at 511.org or by dialing 511.
- Muni lines serving Herbst Theatre include bus lines 5, 5R and 49. Other lines, including the underground Muni Metro and the F streetcar line, stop at Market Street and Van Ness Avenue, within walking distance of Herbst Theatre. For up-to-date route and schedule information, contact Muni at (415) 701-2311 or dial 311 within San Francisco.
- Uber and Lyft are also great options.
- BART lines serve the nearby Civic Center station and Market and Eighth streets. For schedule information, please contact BART at (415) 989-2278.
COVID Guidelines
To ensure a safe event for all in-person attendees, please stay home and take a COVID test if you have COVID-related symptoms. Masking is recommended for all students, guests, faculty and event staff, under the UCSF COVID policy. These guidelines may change as public health orders and conditions evolve. We will be sure to keep everyone updated.
Graduation Mementos
You may purchase optional graduation announcements and other mementos in Josten's online store.
Commencement Ceremony Photos
Students who would like to purchase professional photos of themselves at the commencement ceremony should register at gradimages.com/registration. Receive a coupon for 20% off your purchase of $50 or more when you register before commencement day.
Diplomas
Visit the UCSF Registrar's website for details about receiving your diploma or certificate.