As images of college graduates walking across that stage in their caps and gowns have dominated our social media feeds over the last few weeks, you might have noticed a trend that’s taking off. Their graduation caps — those mortarboards sitting on top of their heads — are decorated.

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Express yourself.

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Graduating college students have long expressed their individuality by decorating their graduation caps with slogans and artwork, but a University of Nevada, Las Vegas professor says the themes have gotten more political in recent years.

UNLV associate professor Sheila Bock has been researching how and why students decorate their caps and says the themes over the years have become increasingly political.

The black letters contrast sharply with the graduation cap’s red fabric. They spell: “Vuela tan alto como puedas sin olvidar de donde vienes.”

The black letters contrast sharply with the graduation cap’s red fabric. They spell: “Vuela tan alto como puedas sin olvidar de donde vienes.”

In the midst of the official pomp and circumstance, more and more graduates are adding a personal touch: They’ll decorate their graduation caps, also known as mortarboards.

Graduation caps decorated to celebrate accomplishment but also promote political messages.

UNLV professor and folklorist Sheila Bock studies trends behind graduation caps.