AMHERST — Kalsang Nangpa dreamed of proudly carrying the Tibetan flag next Friday in a formal ceremony that kicks off commencement at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Nangpa, 22, whose parents are Tibetan refugees, had worn traditional garb from the Himalayan region when she graduated from elementary school and from high school in Medford.

So Nangpa was heartbroken last month when she was told UMass would bar her from hoisting the flag during its colorful Parade of Nations. The reason: Tibet is not recognized by the State Department as a sovereign nation, but as part of China.

“What is the point of this flag ceremony? I thought it was to celebrate the diversity of the graduates,’’ Nangpa, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in public health, said Thursday. “I want to carry the flag during the ceremony. That is symbolic.’’

Nangpa has been drumming up support for her cause on Facebook, writing to UMass chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy and appealing to Democratic US Senator Elizabeth Warren, who will be keynote speaker at the graduation. So far, she hasn’t turned the tide.

UMass said it celebrates the identities and cultures of its international students, faculty, and staff.

But it defended the policy, saying it was developed through careful deliberation.

“We really feel we need an objective standard by which to determine nationhood,’’ said university spokesman Ed Blaguszewski.

In years past, requests to include the Tibetan flag in the ceremony have been turned down, including two years ago, when Nangpa’s brother graduated from UMass.

Blaguszewski noted that Nangpa is free to carry the flag when she marches with her classmates, and her parents can wave it from the stands. She could also decorate her cap to express her love of Tibet.

But that’s not enough for Nangpa, who is president of the UMass organization Students for a Free Tibet. Holding a flag while walking in a sea of black robes would not carry the same meaning as displaying it in a procession of countries, she said.

Her parents are upset, too, she said. The family lived as refugees in India until she was 7, when they immigrated to the United States. Now she considers herself a proud Tibetan American, and her connection to Tibet runs as deep as her connection to the United States.

She feels the absence of a Tibetan flag at her graduation makes a statement she finds objectionable.

“I think by only allowing certain flags, they are taking a political stance,’’ she said. “We do not belong to China. China has occupied our country.’’

Though she is not Tibetan, sophomore Catherine McEachern is a stalwart supporter of Nangpa’s campaign and serves as treasurer of Students for a Free Tibet.

She said she was raised by parents who were keenly aware of the Tibetans’ plight, and the family has studied Tibetan Buddhism, which motivated her to join the UMass club.

“I think that’s why we’re all frustrated — all the other countries were allowed to be represented [in the ceremony] except for Tibet,’’ she said. “There’s way more this country could be doing when it comes to Tibet.’’

The Facebook site for Students for a Free Tibet, which has posted news about the controversy, has collected a lively thread of commentary encouraging Nangpa not to give up.

“Present historical information to university officials to prove that Tibet is an independent country with its own language, history, culture, religion and leaders,’’ one commenter advised.

“Sadly, Tibet is currently under the illegal occupation by the Chinese government. I would think that UMass would want to promote and endorse truth, honesty, human rights, and ethical behaviour in their actions, not behave like an ostrich.’’

Laurie Loisel can be reached at laurieloisel@gmail.com