Northwestern names Sarah Jessica Parker as 2026 commencement speaker
Northwestern announced that sarah jessica parker will address the university’s Class of 2026 at the United Center in Chicago on June 14. The selection pairs a high-profile performer and producer with the institution’s 168th Commencement; Parker is also slated to receive an honorary Doctor of Arts at the ceremony, which begins at 10: 30 a. m. ET.
Sarah Jessica Parker to speak June 14
The university set the date for the ceremony and named Parker as the commencement speaker for the graduating class. The event is scheduled to begin at 10: 30 a. m. ET at the United Center in Chicago. Parker will receive an honorary Doctor of Arts during the ceremony, a formal recognition the university is awarding alongside her address.
Career highlights and honors
Parker is best known for her portrayal of Carrie Bradshaw in the television franchise that ran for six seasons, yielded two feature films and included three spinoff seasons. Her work on that show earned four Golden Globe Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Emmy Awards. She has additional film credits, including entries in the Hocus Pocus films, and a long history on television and Broadway.
Off screen, Parker launched Pretty Matches Productions in 2005 and established a literary imprint called SJP Lit in 2023. She serves as a vice chair on the New York City Ballet Board of Directors and was selected in 2009 to serve on the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. In 2026 she received the Golden Globe Foundation’s Carol Burnett Award for her contributions to television.
Andy Cohen’s surprise call
In a separate item tied to recent coverage of Parker, Andy Cohen made a surprise live call to her and reacted, "Wow, she answered. " The brief exchange drew attention as a topical media moment ahead of the commencement announcement and highlights ongoing public interest in Parker’s appearances and engagements.
University leadership has framed the choice as aligned with its interdisciplinary values, noting Parker’s combined experience in performance, production and business. The ceremony’s schedule and the honorary degree conferment are confirmed; other logistical details for the commencement remain set by the university and have not been expanded on here.
Key next steps: the commencement will occur June 14 at 10: 30 a. m. ET, Parker will deliver remarks to the Class of 2026 and she will receive the honorary Doctor of Arts degree during the program. sarah jessica parker’s selection continues a pattern of inviting figures whose public work intersects with the university’s emphasis on arts and humanities.
