Gradcut Returns to NAACO 2026

Gradcut Returns to NAACO 2026: Supporting the Next Generation of Commencement Experience 

News

Gradcut is pleased to be exhibiting at the North American Association of Commencement Officers (NAACO) 2026 Annual Conference, taking place from 22–25 February at the Westin Boston Seaport.

This marks our second consecutive year exhibiting at NAACO, and we are genuinely looking forward to reconnecting with the commencement and convocation professionals who make these milestone moments possible across North America.

NAACO remains the only professional association dedicated exclusively to the planning and delivery of post-secondary academic ceremonies. Its collaborative community plays a vital role in shaping how institutions honour graduates, families, and academic tradition, while adapting to evolving student expectations.

Building on a Strong First Year

Our first appearance at NAACO was an important milestone for Gradcut. The conversations we had with universities and ceremony teams confirmed a shared priority: enhancing the graduate experience without adding complexity or workload for already stretched teams.

Gradcut was developed specifically to support this goal. The platform works alongside existing video production and live-streaming providers, adding an automated layer that transforms a live ceremony feed into personalised stage-crossing video clips for each graduate. There is no need to change vendors, workflows, or technical setups.

Within one hour of walking the stage, each graduate receives a professionally edited, university-branded video clip, ready to download and share with family and friends. For institutions, this provides an immediate and meaningful extension of the ceremony experience, while strengthening digital visibility and alumni connection.

Designed for Commencement Teams

Universities using Gradcut value the practical benefits:

  • The system is fully automated, requiring no additional work from ceremony or communications teams.
  • Personalised videos are delivered the same day, while the moment is still relevant and emotionally resonant.
  • Clips are branded with institutional visuals, helping extend the university’s reach through organic social sharing.
  • Flexible commercial models allow universities to offer clips as a student-purchased option or as a complimentary, institution-funded experience.

Many institutions also see Gradcut as a faster and more accessible alternative to traditional digital photography, particularly for graduates and families who prioritise video and social sharing.

Looking Ahead to NAACO 2026

At NAACO 2026, we look forward to continuing these discussions, demonstrating how Gradcut fits seamlessly into existing commencement operations, and learning more about the challenges and priorities facing institutions today.

If you are attending the conference, we would welcome the opportunity to meet with you, share insights from recent ceremonies, and explore how personalised graduation video can support your institution’s goals.

We look forward to seeing the NAACO community in Boston.

Gradcut Video Marketing in Higher Education

Video Marketing in Higher Education: Why 2025 Belongs to Short-Form Content

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In 2025, video is no longer just one piece of a student recruitment strategy, it’s often the first impression a prospective student will have of your institution. And more often than not, that impression comes in the form of short-form video.

Students are turning to TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels not only for entertainment but to research their future. In fact, 84% say video plays a significant role in their college decision-making process. (Forbes, Axios, Deloitte)

But what resonates today isn’t glossy, polished promos. It’s real stories, told authentically, in formats that feel personal, not produced. If your institution hasn’t yet embraced short-form content as a regular part of its communication, this may be the year to reconsider.  Treat graduation as a strategic content engine: with Gradcut, every graduate can receive a branded, share‑ready instant graduation video—typically within an hour of the ceremony, turning a milestone into thousands of authentic stories that amplify your brand.

Why short‑form is now your first impression

For Gen Z and the rising Gen Alpha cohort, social platforms are not just for entertainment—they are search engines. In 2024–2025, multiple surveys reported significant shifts toward social search (TikTok, YouTube) for discovery and evaluation, especially among 18–24‑year‑olds. For marketers, that means the channels where short videos live are often where prospects start their research. (Forbes, Axios)

At the same time, industry trend reports show that social video platforms dominate attention in 2025, challenging traditional media and reshaping how people consume information. That’s exactly where your first impression is being formed. (Deloitte)

Rethinking the Video Landscape in Higher Ed

TikTok continues to be the most powerful platform for peer influence. Students trust what they see from others in their shoes, current students sharing campus life, daily routines, or spontaneous moments.

Institutions that empower students to tell their own stories, participate in trends, or take over the university’s account for a day tend to see greater traction and trust. Hashtag strategies, quick campus tours, and even casual Q&As can go a long way in building a digital connection.

While TikTok captures attention, YouTube nurtures curiosity. It’s where students dive deeper, researching programs, exploring faculty perspectives, and imagining themselves on your campus.

Organizing content into helpful playlists (program overviews, accommodation tours, student testimonials) can help viewers self-navigate. Incorporating SEO-friendly titles and descriptions increases visibility for students actively searching.Reels offer a balance of spontaneity and curation. They’re a great space to spotlight events, student achievements, or moments that reflect your institution’s personality.

Partnering with student clubs, adding captions for accessibility, and leaning into short storytelling formats can help create a relatable, mobile-friendly experience.

What’s Working in 2025

Several key themes are shaping video engagement across platforms:

  • Authenticity over perfection – Audiences prefer content that feels genuine, even if it’s a little unpolished.
  • Short-form first – Videos under 60 seconds are leading in views and retention.
  • Student voice matters – Content created with students, not just about them, tends to resonate more deeply.

Not every institution has a video team on standby—and that’s okay. Small, consistent efforts can go a long way:

  • Consider building a student creator program – Even a few trained student contributors can bring fresh energy and authenticity to your social channels.
  • Repurpose what already exists – Previous long-form videos or recorded events can be re-edited into bite-sized clips.
  • Watch the data – Beyond views, look at metrics like watch time, shares, and comments. They reveal what content is truly connecting.

Why This Isn’t Just a Trend

This shift toward short-form and authentic video reflects a broader change in how people, especially younger audiences—search, learn, and engage online.

Today, students are searching TikTok for “best uni in Australia” or watching YouTube to get a feel for dorm life. Social platforms are becoming search engines in their own right, and universities that adapt to this behavior are the ones students will notice.

At the same time, employee-generated content is starting to play a bigger role. Whether it’s a quick video from a faculty member or a behind-the-scenes glimpse from an admissions officer, content that shows the human side of your institution helps build trust.

And it all starts with showing up, not perfectly but consistently, and with intention.

In this broader conversation about video, it’s also worth reflecting on milestone moments—like graduation. These events are some of the most emotional and shareable moments in a student’s journey. Yet for many universities, capturing and sharing those moments at scale has traditionally been expensive, time-consuming, or simply too complex.

Gradcut was created to change that.

It’s a simple, automated solution that delivers personalized video clips to each graduate within an hour of the ceremony. There’s no added work for your AV team, Gradcut integrates with your existing livestream setup and handles the rest.

Each student receives their own branded video, ready to share. For universities, this means thousands of proud, joyful moments being amplified across social media within minutes, not days.

What’s especially compelling is how little infrastructure change is needed. The University of Sydney, for example, used Gradcut to deliver over 140,000 personalized graduation clips without adding any extra production staff.

And while graduation is the starting point, the same approach can be applied to awards nights, formal events, or any moment worth capturing.

Graduation: your most powerful short‑form moment

No moment generates more authentic, high‑intent content than graduation—students, families, faculty, and alumni all share it. Historically, turning that ceremony into content at scale took days of editing and distribution.

With Gradcut, it takes about an hour. Gradcut captures your existing livestream and automatically produces personalised, branded stage clips for each graduate delivered via a secure portal, ready to share on TikTok, Reels, Shorts, and alumni channels. There’s no additional AV crew; the platform integrates with what you already run.

Real‑world proof: The University of Sydney partnered with Gradcut to deliver 140,000+ instant video clips across ~155 ceremonies to 23,500 graduates a modern layer on a 150‑year tradition. 

Learn more: Watch our on‑demand webinar walking through the University of Sydney case study and implementation lessons.

Why it matters for marketing

  • Every clip is an authentic story from a trusted voice (the graduate), carrying your brand into peer networks.
  • Clips are short, vertical, and share‑ready the exact format platforms reward. 

You turn a single event into thousands of moments that fuel recruitment, alumni engagement, and advancement campaigns.

The result is more than just a video, it’s a way to celebrate students, strengthen brand presence, and build a sense of community around moments that matter.

If you’re curious to learn more, there’s an on-demand webinar available that walks through the University of Sydney’s experience and what made it successful.

In the end, it’s not about keeping up with trends, it’s about meeting students where they are, sharing stories that matter, and creating content that feels as real as the experiences it reflects.

Gradcut Joins the NSW Going Global Export Program Texas Austin

Gradcut Joins the NSW Going Global Export Program and Heads Out to Texas for SXSW EDU!

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We are thrilled to announce that Gradcut has been accepted into the NSW Going Global Export Program and will be showcasing our innovation at SXSW EDU in Austin, Texas, on 3 March 2025! 

This incredible opportunity, supported by the NSW Government, will help us expand into the U.S. EdTech market—one of the largest and fastest-growing education sectors in the world.

SXSW EDU 2025: Where Education Leaders and Innovators Connect

SXSW EDU is where educators, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders come together to shape the future of education. With key trends like personalized learning, digital assessments, and mobile-first education solutions driving change, we’re excited to share how Gradcut is transforming the graduation experience—one video at a time.

Gradcut at SXSW EDU: Shaping the Future of Education

We capture milestones and create memories by delivering instant, personalized graduation videos, ensuring every student gets a professional-quality clip of their big moment on stage. Universities benefit from an effortless, efficient, and impactful way to enhance the graduation experience.

We’re incredibly proud to be part of this journey, representing Gradcut at SXSW EDU 2025. This milestone event brings together some of the most forward-thinking minds in education, technology, and innovation, providing a unique opportunity to engage with industry leaders who are shaping the future of learning. Being selected as part of the NSW Going Global Export Program reinforces our commitment to enhancing the graduation experience and expanding the impact of EdTech solutions worldwide.

This event isn’t just about sharing our journey—it’s about learning from others, exchanging insights, and discovering new ways to improve the education sector. From personalized learning solutions to advancements in digital storytelling, SXSW EDU is the perfect environment for meaningful discussions that inspire growth and innovation. We look forward to exploring emerging trends, gaining valuable perspectives, and forging collaborations that drive positive change in the EdTech space.

As we prepare for SXSW EDU, we’ll be sharing updates on our journey, insights from the program, and highlights from the event itself. We’re eager to connect with like-minded professionals, universities, and partners who are passionate about enhancing student experiences through technology. If you’re attending, we’d love to hear from you—let’s connect and shape the future of education together!

Gradcut Edutech Innovators

Gradcut exhibited at EduTECH 2024: A Gathering of Visionaries and Innovators

News

We had the privilege of exhibiting at the Innovation Valley at EduTECH International Congress & Expo 2024, held in Melbourne 13-14th of August. There was no shortage of knowledge exchange at this conference, which featured the latest market disruptions, trends, and technologies shaping the future of education.

This event, hosted by EduTECH Australia, brought together over 10,000 educators, training professionals, and industry leaders from across the globe. This year, the event provided a unique platform for leading educational institutions, startups, and global organisations to share their insights and experiences. The diverse topics covered ranged from Maths, Sports, Future Forward School Libraries, and Tertiary ICT Management to Wellbeing, Diverse Education Needs & Inclusion, EduBUILD, Business Managers, and Ed-Tech Innovation.

Sal Khan, a leading expert on AI in education, delivered the keynote address at the event on “The Future of Education in an AI-Powered World” set the tone for an unforgettable conference, sparking meaningful conversations about the role of artificial intelligence in education.

The focus on AI was evident throughout the event, with sessions dedicated to topics such as “AI and the Future of Education,” “AI Enabling Creativity in STEM Education,” and “Transforming Education: Harnessing AI to Improve Our Human Intelligence.”

Gradcut introduced an innovative AI solution for graduation videos. The software transforms graduation ceremonies into personalised video clips, complete with the institution’s branding, and delivers these videos to graduates within one hour of the ceremony. Gradcut integrates seamlessly with existing video and streaming setups, providing educational institutions with a powerful tool to enhance the graduation experience.

Big thanks to EduGrowth for creating an electric atmosphere filled with collaboration, support and opportunities to pitch and showcase innovations. We are proud to have been a part of this event and are eager to see how the ideas and connections made here will continue to influence the world of education in the years to come.