Graduation and Commencement

HOWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
2026 COMMENCEMENT
Friday, May 22, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

LOCATION

Commencement will be held at the UMBC Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena on Friday, May 22 at 10:00 a.m.

Glass containers and balloons are not allowed inside the arena.

THE GRADUATES

The 2026 commencement ceremony honors all eligible graduates from the 2025 Fall, 2026 Spring and 2026 Summer terms. 

CAPS AND GOWNS

Cap and gown orders will become available to applicants in early 2026. Information will be updated at that time.

All students participating in commencement must wear the cap and gown provided. Caps are worn with the front point in the center of the forehead. The top of the cap is parallel to the floor, and the tassels are worn on the right until the awards are conferred during the ceremony.

TICKETS

We do not sell or allocate tickets for commencement, but it is important to know that seating can be limited. We encourage your nearest & dearest to join the ceremonies while leaving the larger celebrations for a more personal time and space.

THE CEREMONY

Graduates should arrive by 9 a.m. for line-up.

You will receive an index card at check in. Hold on to this index card! You are required to bring the index card to the stage and present it to the announcer; you will not be able to interact with the announcer, so please ensure that all information is correct at the check-in table.

Only graduates are permitted at graduate check-in. Family members, friends, children and guests must arrive through the guest entrance.

Only the graduate is permitted on the venue floor and allowed to cross the stage. Be sure to arrange for adequate childcare throughout the entire event

You will be handed a diploma cover containing a congratulatory letter as you cross the stage. Your diploma will be issued after the final evaluation of your academic record; expect diplomas to ship 4-6 weeks following the ceremony. Check Self-Service: Student Planning to ensure your unofficial transcript has your degree/certificate posted before ordering official transcripts.

We aim for the ceremony to last approximately three hours. All attendees should plan to stay throughout the calling of the graduates until the end of the ceremony. Graduates will be called by their names alphabetically. 

HONORS AND COHORT STOLES

Students may collect honor cords in the Office of Records, Registration, and Veterans' Affairs (RCF 233) during regular business hours.   To qualify for honors, a student must have a 3.500 or higher cumulative GPA. Students have been notified if they are qualified for this special regalia.

Students who served in the U.S. Armed Forces are provided a cord of red, white, and blue to wear at Commencement. Qualified students have been contacted if they are a recipient of this special regalia. Students may collect military cords in the Office of Records, Registration, and Veterans' Affairs (RCF 233) during regular business hours

Stoles for other honors programs and learning communities are provided by the directors of these programs; please direct questions to the appropriate program.

PHOTOS

Grad Images, a Balfour Company, is the official Commencement photographer. Photos are available to view and order by visiting their website at http://www.gradimages.com/registration,  You may also click on “Find my Photos”. Photos will be posted several days after Commencement. If you need additional help locating your photos, call Grad Images at 800.261.2576.

HCC will post graduation-related photos on HowardCC.edu/Photos. Commencement photos will be added the week after the event.

ATTIRE AND REFRESHMENTS

Dress according to the weather forecast. While Commencement will take place indoors, graduate check-in will be outside, and the student lineup hallways get very warm. You will need to walk a short distance and be prepared to stand in line for some time. Wear comfortable shoes!

Leave your personal belongings at home or lock them in your car. You cannot carry a purse or other personal items. Your hands need to remain free for handshakes and receipt of the diploma cover on stage. Selfie sticks are not permitted.

Concessions will be available for purchase for guests at the arena.

GENERAL PARKING

Parking meters will be enforced but parking on surface lots is available and free. If you choose to park in a parking garage or metered space, be prepared to pay and make sure you put enough time on the meter. Drivers will be held responsible by UMBC for any parking fines.

Parking is available in any open lot; we recommend parking in any area designated "A."

Parking Information

ACCESSIBLE PARKING AND SEATING

Designated accessible parking may not be in immediate proximity to the facility; please ensure your guests are informed. When parking in an accessible space, the vehicle must display official tags or placard. Drivers will be held responsible by UMBC for any parking fines.

Accessible seating is available. Upon arrival, arena ushers will guide your guests to accessible seating. Note: Your entire guest party may not be able to sit together. 

ASL INTERPRETATION

Reserved seating in full view of ASL Interpreters will be available for graduates and guests. Please see a greeter for directions to these seats.

Have questions? Email us at graduate@howardcc.edu!

• Students who have completed their degree/certificate program(s), or are likely to complete during the current term will have graduation applications automatically created for them shortly following the term's census date. Most students will not need to manually apply to graduate!
  
  
• Communication will be sent to potential graduates via HCC email in the weeks prior to the graduation application deadline. Students who wish to opt-out of graduating this term must notify graduate@howardcc.edu prior to the deadline as communicated via email.
  
  
• Check Self Service to confirm your application details! Pay special attention to the spelling of your Diploma Name and Diploma Mailing Address! If you are planning to move before or shortly after graduation, make sure you submit a
  Change of Information form to the Office of Records, Registration, and Veterans' Affairs AND email graduate@howardcc.edu from your HCC email account to update your contact information.
  
  
• If you are expecting to graduate but do not see an application in your Self Service shortly following census, you should contact an advisor to determine if you are ready to apply for graduation. An academic advisor can also answer your questions regarding transfer to a four-year college or university.
  
  
• If you have completed the requirements for more than one program, know that you will receive multiple degrees.

Don’t I just graduate automatically when I have finished my requirements?
Thanks to our new Administrative Conferral process, most students will not have to manually apply to graduate. Instead, those with "Complete" or "Anticipated Complete" programs at term census will have a graduation application created on your behalf. Administrative Conferral applications will be generated shortly after a term's census date. If you do not see your application in Self Service within a week of census, please reach out to your academic advisor.

What if I still don't see my application?
There are a couple reasons why your application may have been missed during Administrative Conferral; students awaiting credit for test scores, non-course equivalencies or transfer credits may not register in our degree audit system at the time reports are run. If you are unsure if you are eligible to graduate and don't see your application in your Self Service, you need to meet with an Advisor to complete the Application to Graduate.

I'm finishing multiple programs, will I receive multiple degrees?
Yes. If you completed the requirements for more than one program (degree or certificate), an Application to Graduate will be created for each.

Do I have to pay to apply to graduate?
There is no fee to apply to graduate.

How do I know if I am close to completing my requirements?
Meet with your advisor and ask. Your advisor will review your record with you and help you decide if you are ready to apply. Your advisor can also help you update your area of study or transfer in coursework completed at another college or university may accelerate your graduation.

Who is my advisor?
Advising offers virtual and in person services; you may see any advisor who is available. 

Commencement takes place in May, but I won't complete my requirements until the end of summer. May I still attend the ceremony?
Yes, if you are completing your requirements in the summer following the May ceremony however you MUST apply to graduate prior to April 15 and have no more than 10 credits remaining to complete. Potential Summer graduates are celebrated in the commencement ceremony prior to completing their program requirements, however participation in the commencement ceremony is not a guarantee of graduation.

Do I have to take all my credits at HCC?
You must take at least a minimum of 25% of your program at HCC to be eligible to graduate from HCC.

What requirements do I need to graduate with honors?
You must have an overall GPA of 3.5 to graduate with honors.

What happens if I do not successfully complete all the credits I need for my degree after I apply to graduate?
You will be notified that you did not satisfy the requirements, and the application process will repeat the following term.

Do I have to attend the ceremony in order to receive my diploma?
No. While we encourage you to attend this momentous event, you do not have to attend in order to receive your diploma.

What should I do to be sure my diploma information is correct?
Check your Self Service to ensure your name is printed exactly as you want it to appear on the diploma. Manual applicants should be sure to print carefully and legibly.

If I have applied to graduate and my degree is not yet posted, what can I use to verify my anticipated graduation?
Sometimes an employer or school will request proof of your graduation before your degree/certificate is posted or before you have received your diploma/certificate. Submit a verification of enrollment form to RRVA and select "pending graduation" from the options on the form.

Your degree will be posted to your transcript after final grades are issued and clearance procedures have been completed. You will receive an email at your HCC email address when your credential is posted to your record. You may place a transcript request once you receive this email.

Diplomas and certificates are mailed after the final evaluation of academic records. This process usually takes four to six weeks following the graduation date. Your diploma or certificate will be mailed to the address listed on your graduation application. Diplomas will be mailed by mid-July for spring graduates, mid-September for summer graduates, and mid-February for fall graduates.

Find out how to request a duplicate copy of your diploma.

For more information, contact graduate@howardcc.edu