Article written by Alexa Selter, senior at Newhouse and DPS Communications and Marketing Assistant
As students prepare for final exams and graduating seniors count down to May, the Department of Public Safety is already hard at work behind the scenes, planning for one of the biggest events of the academic year: Commencement.
With thousands of graduates, families, and guests gathering on campus, DPS plays a critical role in ensuring the day runs safely and smoothly. From traffic management to crowd control to emergency preparedness, the coordination required is months in the making.
Planning Starts Early
Preparation for Commencement begins in early February. DPS coordinates closely with Major Events and JMA Dome Staff to map out every detail, from gate assignments to emergency protocols.
Commander Jermey Welling, who leads Community Engagement for DPS, oversees some of this coordination. For him, Commencement represents something much bigger than logistics.
“It is awesome to see the students come through the University, watch them grow and succeed over their four years in our community,” Welling says. “Completing their goals of getting a college degree.”
The Day Of: All Hands on Deck
On Commencement Day, over 25 DPS officers are deployed throughout the JMA Dome and surrounding areas. No matter where you are in the venue, there is a DPS officer nearby. The goal is simple: ensure that every graduate, family member, and guest feels safe from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave.
“Seeing the joy and happiness on all the families’ faces makes working Commencement exciting. Keeping everyone safe during such an accomplishing time makes Commencement that much more rewarding,” says Sergeant Kara Salce.
Beyond logistics, officers also serve as a resource for guests who need directions, assistance, or answers to questions. For many families visiting Syracuse for the first time, DPS officers are often their first point of contact.
“It is great to see the students and families interacting with each other, culminating four-plus years of hard work truly paying off. No matter what your job is at DPS, we all interact with the students in some way or another, and it is always nice when a student sees you and thanks you for something you did for them during their time here. It validates why you go the extra mile for them and truly humbles you,” says Evidence Custodian Matt Zingaro.
Memorable Moments
For some DPS staff, Commencement carries a deeply personal significance, one built over years of connection with the students they serve. Zingaro reflects on what the day means to him:
“During my time on patrol I spent a great deal of time actively patrolling my adopt-a-hall duties while on midnights at Booth Hall. In one year I made friends with several residents, some of whom I still keep in touch with today. It is great to watch them grow from young adults to flourishing individuals who have built great careers and families of their own. Through the years I have taken the spot behind the stage to congratulate the students I met along the way, or have worked with them at DPS as some of them have been student workers. I cannot wait to see our very own Megan Wilson graduate this year, her father and I were partners here at DPS for years, so I got to watch her grow up as part of the DPS family. More importantly, she spent the last four years assisting me after her father retired from DPS. It is an experience I will never forget,” says Zingaro.
A Team Effort
Commencement is a massive undertaking that requires coordination across the entire DPS team, from officers on the ground to dispatchers managing communications to supervisors overseeing operations.
As this year’s Commencement approaches, DPS is once again preparing to ensure that graduates and their families can focus on what matters most: celebrating years of hard work, perseverance, and achievement.
To the Class of 2026: Congratulations, and know that DPS is proud to be part of your big day.
