2026 COMMENCEMENT IMPORTANT DATES
- March 21, 2025: Deadline to apply for commencement student speaker
- March 25, 2025 and March 26, 2025: Attend Grad Fest to get your questions answered (see below for more info)
- April 1, 2025: Deadline to submit graduation application and have your name printed in the program
- April 1, 2025: Deadline to register & RSVP for the commencement ceremony
- May 14, 2026: Commencement ceremony - Graduates arrive between 5:00 - 6:00 p.m., and are lined up by 7:00 p.m. Processional begins at 7:15 p.m., followed by ceremony at 7:30 p.m.
Graduation? Commencement? Is there a difference?
What’s the Difference Between Graduation and Commencement?
Graduation is the completion of all degree, diploma, or certificate requirements as recorded on an official transcript. Students must complete the graduation application to have their record reviewed for program completion.
Commencement is the ceremony to celebrate the completion of a degree, diploma, or certificate. Students who apply for graduation are invited to participate in the Commencement Ceremony and Grad Fest. Complete the Commencement RSVP if you plan to attend the ceremony.
Deadline for both Graduation and Commencement is April 1, 2025.
WATCH COMMENCEMENT
Watch the livestream on CCX Media on May 19, 2025 at 7:30 p.m..
PRE-COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION
Apply to Graduate
Complete the online graduation application and follow-up survey, which is included with the graduation application by April 1, 2025.
RSVP for Commencement Ceremony
If you are planning to participate in the commencement ceremony, you must sign up in advance by April 1, 2025. Visit the Student RSVP Commencement webpage to submit your information. Please note the deadline for your name to be printed in the commencement program is April 1, 2025.
Request Tickets
Each graduate may request up to 3 tickets for guests to attend Commencement in person. Printed tickets will need to be picked up prior to Commencement at Grad Fest or arranged with the Office of Student Life. Here's how to get graduation tickets.
Attend Grad Fest
Complete your steps and get your questions answered about graduation and commencement at Grad Fest in person on March 25 and March 26, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. located in the Bioscience & Health Careers Center (BHCC) or via Zoom on March 25, 4-6 p.m.
- Complete the graduation application (before April 1)
- RSVP for Commencement (before April 1)
- Try on regalia and take fun photos
- Decorate a sticker for your cap/mortar board
- Ask questions about graduation or commencement
- Request ceremony accommodation needs for guests/yourself
- Learn more about financial aid and exit loans
Commencement Student Speaker
We are accepting applications for this year's student commencement speaker. The selected graduating student will deliver a five-minute address at the commencement ceremony. To apply, interested graduates (summer 2024, fall 2024, or spring 2025) must complete this application by March 21, 2025, which includes a brief statement about why they are interested in representing their graduating class. As part of the selection process, applicants will be asked to provide a written copy of their proposed address and do a read-through audition with the selection committee, which will be held from March 24 through March 27, 2025.
Commencement Announcements
View, print and/or download the commencement announcement to invite family and friends to the event. International students, if you require a confirmation letter for family overseas, please contact Records and Registration at registration@nhcc.edu.
Cap & Gown Distribution
Graduates are expected to wear a cap, gown, and tassel during the commencement ceremony. Please provide height and weight in your online RSVP to the ceremony. These items will be provided free of charge and will be made available the night of the ceremony at the graduate check-in location. Graduates' cap, gown, and tassel packages are not available before May 19, 2025.
Disability + Accessibility Accommodations
If you require disability accommodations related to participation in the commencement ceremony (including special seating for yourself or guests, sign language interpretation, personal audio amplification, etc.), please contact Jessica Fraser, Director of Access Services, at 763-493-0556 or jessica.fraser@nhcc.edu by April 1, 2025.
Additional Designations
Honors Program – All Honor Program graduates must confirm they have met the requirements for the Honors Program by contacting David Mantini, Honors Coordinator, at David.Mantini@nhcc.edu. Once the requirements have been evaluated, student will receive an email confirmation with instructions on how to pick up their Honors cord. These cords are a symbol of completion of the NHCC Honors Program, so wear them proudly!
Phi Theta Kappa – PTK students will be contacted by the PTK advisor with instructions on how to purchase stoles through the local chapter and save on shipping. Questions? Please contact Deane Newborg, deane.newborg@nhcc.edu
TRIO Programs – TRIO students will be contacted by the TRIO Program with instructions for stoles.
Veterans – Veteran students will be contacted by their advisor with instructions for cords.
Senate - Students that served on Student Senate will contact their advisor with instructions for stoles.
COMMENCEMENT DAY INFORMATION
Review COVID-19 Guidelines
NHCC will follow guidance set forth by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Visit the MDH website to view up-to-date requirements.
Arrival
Graduates should arrive at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center between 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Check-in and regalia distribution will be located on site (look for directional signage). We will direct you on where to check in, pick up your cap and gown, and line up for the processional. You must be in line by 7:00 p.m., and the processional will begin at 7:15 p.m. Your guests should take their seats no later than 7:15 p.m.
There is no room to store personal belongings (purse, wallet, keys, phone, etc.). You will be responsible for your own belongings.
Seating
Doors will open at 6:30 PM on Commencement on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each guest is required to present a printed ticket for entry into the Carriage Hall, including small children and babies. Guests cannot "save" seats.
If a guest requires disability accommodations (including special seating, sign language interpretation, personal audio amplification, etc.), please contact Jessica Fraser, Director of Access Services, at 763-493-0556 or jessica.fraser@nhcc.edu by April 1, 2025.
Location & Parking
The Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center is located at 6155 Second Earle Brown Drive, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430. For directions and free parking, visit the Heritage Center website.
Strollers
Due to space constraints, there will be a designated area for stroller parking.
What NOT to Bring
The Heritage Center does not allow balloons or confetti, so please let family and friends know. Also, be aware there is no room to store personal belongings (purse, keys, phone, etc.). You will be responsible for your own belongings.
Ceremony & Official Photos
The commencement ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m. and is expected to last 90 minutes. Legacies by Laura will take your photo three times: before, during and after you cross the stage. Be sure to have your check-in card with you.
You will receive a unique code via text or email to view and/or purchase photos on the Legacies by Laura website after commencement.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, CAPS & GOWNS, RINGS, FRAMES, OR OTHER PRODUCTS
Jostens Store offers class jewelry, announcement and frames, and other products to celebrate your graduation. If you are interested in purchasing a cap, gown, and tassel from Commencement, please visit the Josten's Commencement Shopping page:
1. Graduation Caps & Gowns (SHOP)
2. select Student Purchase – Spring 2025 Regalia
3. follow the prompts: Enter your height and your weight (lbs.)
4. Then “Add to Cart”
- Students pay for product and shipping.
Order is shipped directly to the student’s preferred shipping address. - Online ordering deadline: June 12, 2025; Usually ships within 3 weeks
Questions?
Contact Student Life, 763-424-0800, for any additional questions.