Managing 2,000+ Diverse Graduates with Integrated Solutions at University of North Florida

When Harrison Sepulveda took over commencement planning at the University of North Florida (UNF), he inherited a well‑oiled machine powered by Tassel. Since implementing the platform in 2017, UNF had already discovered how Tassel's comprehensive platform could streamline everything from name pronunciation to ticketing management. Now managing three graduation seasons annually with up to 2,000 graduates per ceremony, Harrison has seen firsthand how Tassel's integrated approach eliminates the chaos of traditional commencement logistics while ensuring every student's moment on stage is handled with dignity and precision.

Ceremony Challenges

UNF's commencement challenges go beyond typical university logistics. With ceremonies ranging from intimate 800‑graduate events to larger 2,000‑graduate celebrations, the university needed systems that could adapt seamlessly to varying scales throughout the year. Each ceremony brings its own complexity - spring events pack a basketball arena to capacity, while fall and summer ceremonies require different staffing and space configurations.

The diversity of UNF's student body adds another layer of operational complexity. In 2023, international and first‑generation students made up just under 40% of UNF's total student population (source). Traditional commencement approaches often fail students with non‑Western names, leading to embarrassing mispronunciations that can overshadow what should be a celebratory milestone. For a university serving Florida's increasingly international population, this wasn't just a logistics problem - it was a matter of respect and inclusion. "Florida is a very diverse state, and we have many international students as well," Harrison explained. "We want to give everybody the assurance that their name is going to be said correctly."

The university also faced the modern challenge of student expectations - families wanted detailed event information, flexible ticketing options, and assurance that their graduate's moment would be handled professionally, all while maintaining the personal touch that makes commencement special.

Working with the Tassel Team

UNF implemented Tassel in 2017, recognizing the platform's potential to address their complex commencement needs. When Harrison Sepulveda joined the university as commencement planner over a year ago, he found a system already deeply integrated into the university's operations.

The university's relationship with their customer success representative, Barry, has been instrumental in their continued success. Harrison notes that while they had a different representative before Barry, the current partnership has been exceptional.

"Barry is great. We have a very good relationship and he knows what we like. He fixes things immediately if there's something wrong. Not that there really ever is anything wrong," Harrison said. "Everything is always early – it's great."

This level of support has been crucial as Harrison has expanded his use of the platform to comprehensive ceremony management.

Success with Tassel

UNF's success with Tassel spans multiple integrated features that work together to create a seamless commencement experience. The platform has eliminated the need for manual review of every graduate while providing robust data management and reporting capabilities.

Streamlined Data Management and Reporting

Harrison particularly values Tassel's reporting features, which have become essential for ceremony planning. "The most important thing to know is has a student ever logged in to the site at all? That always is great for me to pinpoint if a person is coming or if there is some sort of disconnect," Harrison explained. The platform also helps verify internal reports regarding majors and honors, and provides easy access to data on special circumstances – information that would normally take much longer to collate using internal academic record systems.

Comprehensive Name Pronunciation System

The name pronunciation feature has been transformative for UNF's diverse student body. Harrison emphasizes the importance of accuracy, particularly for international students and those from diverse backgrounds. "It's our responsibility to everybody that they give them the dignity of their name being pronounced correctly," Harrison states. The platform also helps prevent issues like deadnaming, providing crucial support for gender non‑conforming and transgender students.

Integrated Ticketing Management

UNF uses Tassel's ticketing system with QR codes, which has streamlined guest management significantly. The system allows flexible ticket distribution, typically 4 to 5 tickets per undergraduate and 10 for graduate students, adjusted based on ceremony size. Harrison appreciates being able to include event information directly on tickets, noting that "people really do pay attention to that" for important details like bag restrictions and venue policies.

The ticketing integration also serves as a driver for student engagement with the platform. "That really is the driver for them to look at their information," Harrison notes. "If I were just asking for their registration information without it being tied to ticketing, I don't think I would get nearly the response."

The Future

Looking ahead, UNF continues to refine their use of Tassel's capabilities. Harrison is considering implementing the platform's second‑round ticket allotment feature to better manage requests for additional tickets, which has been one of their main administrative challenges.

The university remains committed to using Tassel's comprehensive approach to commencement management. "The software is great, the hardware works really well. We have not had any issues at all," Harrison concluded. This sentiment reflects UNF's eight‑year journey with Tassel, demonstrating how the platform has evolved from solving basic logistical challenges to becoming an integral part of the university's commitment to honoring every graduate with dignity and precision.

As UNF continues to grow and serve an increasingly diverse student population, Tassel provides the scalable, integrated solution needed to ensure that every commencement ceremony maintains the personal touch that makes graduation day special while managing the complex logistics that make large‑scale ceremonies possible.