FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
42Chat Expands Higher Education Team, Launches New Connected Commencement Platform
Announced at the CSU UC EPN Conference, the Connected Commencement Platform represents 42Chat's expanded commitment to helping colleges and universities modernize the commencement experience through one connected platform.
New platform combines Curated AI, SMS engagement, flexible registration, guest ticketing, ceremony management, and live ceremony execution to guide graduates from Registration to Recognition.
DRAPER, UT — July 2026 — 42Chat today announced a significant expansion of its Higher Education team alongside the unveiling of its new Connected Commencement Platform, combining SMS engagement, Curated AI, flexible registration, and its specialized feature suite into one unified experience built specifically for higher education.
Built around the philosophy of "From Registration to Recognition," the Connected Commencement Platform helps institutions guide graduates through every step of the commencement journey while giving commencement teams the tools they need to confidently prepare, manage, and execute ceremonies.
Unlike traditional commencement solutions that rely on disconnected systems and manual processes, the Connected Commencement Platform creates one continuous experience for both graduates and commencement teams.
To explore the platform features in depth, visit:
https://www.42chat.com/connected-commencement-platform
The platform includes:
- Flexible, campus-specific registration
- Personalized graduate dashboards
- Graduate Journey Automation powered by Curated AI
- AI-powered engagement through two-way SMS and on the web
- Connected Guest Ticketing with instant SMS and email delivery
- Ceremony Management and production tools
- Ceremony LIVE for real-time recognition and stage execution
Together, these capabilities reduce administrative workload, improve graduate engagement, and ensure every graduate receives the recognition they deserve.
Investing in Higher Education
To support this continued investment, 42Chat welcomes two experienced higher education professionals whose careers have been dedicated to helping colleges and universities create exceptional student experiences.
Rebecca Alptekin joins as Senior Director of Higher Education.
Rebecca began her career as a university commencement planner before leading operations and customer success for hundreds of commencement ceremonies nationwide. She brings more than 20 years of experience spanning campus leadership, commencement operations, customer success, and large-scale ceremony execution.
At 42Chat, Rebecca will lead the company's commencement strategy while partnering with institutions to modernize the graduate experience through communication, automation, and technology designed specifically for higher education.
"Commencement is one of the most meaningful moments in a student's journey, yet universities are often forced to manage it across disconnected systems. Our Connected Commencement Platform brings every stage of that journey together - from registration through ceremony day - creating a better experience for graduates while making life easier for the teams working tirelessly behind the scenes."
Michael Flanigan joins as Higher Education Account Executive.
Michael brings nearly three decades of experience partnering with campuses across student engagement, commencement, alumni relations, enrollment communications, and digital engagement. His broad higher education background enables him to understand institutional priorities and connect campuses with solutions that deliver meaningful results.
Together, Rebecca and Michael will work closely with institutions to strengthen engagement, simplify commencement operations, and help campuses deliver more connected student experiences.
A Continued Commitment to Our Higher Education Partners
42Chat also recognizes the tremendous contributions of Fernann Ardis, who recently stepped away from her role to focus on supporting a family member's health and care needs.
Fernann built lasting relationships with higher education institutions across the country, and the company is deeply grateful for her leadership, partnership, and dedication to serving colleges and universities. The entire 42Chat team wishes her and her family the very best during this time.
Rebecca and Michael are committed to building upon the strong foundation Fernann helped create while continuing to provide the trusted partnership and personalized service that institutions have come to expect from 42Chat.
Why a Connected Platform Matters
Commencement is one of the most complex events a university produces, yet institutions have traditionally relied on multiple disconnected systems to manage registration, communications, guest ticketing, ceremony preparation, and live event execution.
The platform unites these elements into a single ecosystem, allowing universities to guide graduates through a seamless journey while giving commencement teams complete visibility from planning through recognition.
Instead of managing separate registration systems, communication tools, ticketing platforms, and ceremony operations, institutions can support graduates through one connected experience—from the first registration step to the moment they cross the stage.
Looking Ahead
The Connected Commencement Platform represents the next evolution of 42Chat's commitment to higher education.
As the platform continues to evolve, future enhancements will further connect graduates, guests, campus departments, and university partners while expanding automation throughout the entire commencement lifecycle.
Because commencement isn't just an event.
It's a journey.
And every graduate deserves to experience it from Registration to Recognition.
Learn More
Explore the platform and discover how 42Chat is helping higher education institutions modernize the commencement experience from registration to recognition:
https://www.42chat.com/connected-commencement-platform
About 42Chat
42Chat helps organizations create successful engagements through AI-powered conversations across SMS and the web. Using its Curated AI platform, organizations deliver trusted information, automate communications, and guide people toward meaningful actions while reducing administrative workload. Across higher education, 42Chat partners with colleges and universities to strengthen engagement throughout the student lifecycle - from prospective students to graduates, alumni, and beyond.
