The University of Utah Asia Campus celebrated the Class of 2026 on May 28, honoring 135 graduates from seven countries and marking several historic firsts for the campus.
Held at Incheon Global Campus in Incheon, South Korea, the ceremony honored 132 undergraduate students and three graduate students. This year’s commencement theme, “The U behind you, the world in front of you,” reflected both the support graduates carry with them from the University of Utah and the opportunities that await them around the globe.
For the Asia Campus, this year’s commencement was about more than conferring degrees. It marked the graduation of the first Master of Communication students and the inaugural cohort of Honors College graduates—two milestones that reflect the campus’s continued growth and academic evolution.
For psychology graduate Hamin Cho, one of the first Honors College graduates and this year’s student commencement speaker, the moment carried special significance.
“As one of the first Honors graduates, standing here today feels especially meaningful,” Cho said during the ceremony. “I was able to grow through the unwavering support of faculty and staff, and now I’m ready to take on new challenges in a much larger world using everything I’ve learned at the University of Utah.”
Cho’s journey reflects the experience of many Asia Campus students—learning across cultures, expanding their worldview and discovering opportunities that stretch far beyond any one campus.
That spirit was echoed by Mitzi M. Montoya, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of Utah, who delivered the commencement address.
“‘The U behind you, the world in front of you’ reminds us that the University of Utah will always be part of your foundation,” Montoya said. “The Asia Campus is an integral part of One U—a unified University of Utah community that spans continents. Our graduates are prepared to lead with the global perspective, adaptability and cultural understanding that today’s world demands.”
The commencement ceremony welcomed distinguished guests from both Korea and the United States, including U.S. Representative Celeste Maloy, Cottonwood Heights City Council Member Matt Holton, former United Nations Economic and Social Council President Joon Oh and Ju-young Byun, CEO of the Incheon Global Campus Foundation.
As graduates crossed the stage this year, they carried with them more than a diploma. They joined a global network of alumni connected through one university, multiple campuses and a shared commitment to shaping the future.
Since opening in 2014, the University of Utah Asia Campus has served as a bridge between South Korea, the United States and the broader international community. Operating under the University’s “One U” philosophy, the Asia Campus offers students the opportunity to earn a University of Utah degree while gaining a truly global educational experience.
With the University of Utah behind them and the world in front of them, the Class of 2026 is ready for what’s next.
