Commencement 2025

Apr 18, 2025
Two Å®ÓÅapp graduates in cap and gown smile for a photo under a sunny tree. Overlaid text reads "Commencement 2025" with a graduation cap icon and orange underline.

Commencement 2025
Friday, June 13th

We are excited to celebrate the class of 2025 with four commencement ceremonies INDOORS in Landis Theater. Graduates, check back for updates and important information about Commencement 2025. Congratulations to our Tigers and Tiger families!

Ceremonies will be held at Noon, 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm, and 6:30 pm. Students will check in one hour prior to their assigned ceremony start time. Guest seating will begin 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. Please note that when the ceremony begins, no additional guests will be permitted, even if they have wristbands! Due to the indoor venue space limitations, guests will be limited-please see details below.

Students MUST RSVP by May 16 at 5 pm in order to participate in commencement. Due to space constraints, there are no exceptions to this policy. Check your Å®ÓÅappD email regularly for updates and additional information. 

Ceremony Start

Student Check-in

Guest Seating

Noon

11 AM

11:30 AM

2:30 PM

1:30 PM

2 PM

4:30 PM

3:30 PM

4 PM

6:30 PM

5:30 PM

6 PM

BEFORE THE CEREMONY


Purchase Cap and Gown
If you desire to purchase academic regalia (cap and gown), this will be available for purchase through the or online on the bookstore website. Sales for regalia begin on Tuesday, May 6th. Information will be available on the soon. Appropriate regalia (cap and gown) is required to participate in Commencement.

Want to decorate your cap? Go for it — we love to see it! Show off your creativity and make your cap stand out! Å®ÓÅapp representatives will be handing out tickets for the best-decorated caps, so bring your A-game. Just keep it classy: no profanity, and nothing that blocks the view of other students or guests.

RSVP
Students MUST RSVP by May 16th at 5 pm in order to participate in commencement. Due to space constraints, there are no exceptions to this policy. Check your Å®ÓÅappD email. 

Name Card
Name cards and wristbands for guests and yourself will be picked up in prior to commencement. You will need to bring your name card to Commencement. This is what you will hand to the faculty name readers who will announce you as you cross the stage. If you have a chosen/lived name that you use, you may write it on the card, and that is the name that will be announced. Please ensure that you write your name out phonetically (how it sounds) so that the name readers can announce your name correctly. You will also receive a wristband for yourself and wristbands for your guests along with your name card.

Wristbands/Guests
Due to space constraints, guests will be limited. Each student will be assigned 3 wristbands for guests. If you would like to participate in commencement, you MUST RSVP in order to receive a name card and wristbands. No graduate or guest will be permitted without the appropriate wristband that corresponds to their assigned ceremony time. Small children who will sit on a lap during the ceremony are the exception. More details on children are below.

Graduation Photos
GradImages® will be photographing all graduates at the upcoming graduation ceremony. Visit to preregister for photos. After graduation you may order online or call (800) 261-2576.

Accommodations
Riverside Community College District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations to all District programs and activities. For students, accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the Disability Resource Center at drc@rcc.edu, (951) 222-8060, or you may complete the following DRC Commencement 2025 Accommodations request no later than five days before the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.

For guests, there will be accessible seating and parking available, as well as ASL interpreters and captioning throughout the ceremony and on the Livestream. For other accommodation requests, please contact Amy DeArcos at Amy.DeArcos@rcc.edu or 951-328-3728.

THE CEREMONY DAY


Four Ceremonies!
Ceremonies will be held at Noon, 2:30 pm, 4:30, and 6:30 pm. Students will check in one hour prior to the ceremony start time. Guest seating will begin 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. Please note that when the ceremony begins, no additional guests will be permitted, even if they have wristbands! Due to the indoor venue space limitations, guests will be limited- please see details below. 

Programs of Study*

Start

Student Check-in

Guest Seating

Social & Behavioral Sciences

Noon

11 AM

11:30 AM

Languages & Humanities, Visual, Performing & Creative Arts, Sociology for Transfer, Cosmetology & Esthetician, Film & TV

2:30 PM

1:30 PM

2 PM

Advanced Technical Arts and Trades, Business, Law, & Computer Info Systems

4:30 PM

3:30 PM

4 PM

STEM, Health-Related Sciences, Education

6:30 PM

5:30 PM

6 PM

*Tentative programs of study based on historical RSVP data from previous years. Please note that to maintain an equitable number of guests per ceremony, assigned ceremony times are subject to change based on number of actual RSVP’s received this year.

Commencement Student Speakers
We are excited to announce that this year's commencement will feature four outstanding and diverse student speakers from all over Å®ÓÅapp. Names to be announced. 

Guests
Guests will not be permitted into Landis without a wristband for the appropriate ceremony. Fortunately, we will have a livestream option available to share with your friends and families so that they can celebrate from the comfort of their home.

Children
Small children/toddlers/infants will be permitted to attend without a wristband but they must be able to comfortably sit on a lap for the entire ceremony. No seats will be given to children without a wristband. Additionally, no strollers, wagons, etc will be permitted into the auditorium. There is no stroller check available-please leave strollers, wagons, etc in your vehicle or at home. Baby carriers (ring slings, wraps, soft-structured carriers) are all permitted. Structured/framed large hiking style backpack carriers are not permitted. Diaper bags are permitted, however all bags will be searched upon entry to ensure the safety of all guests.


The ceremony will be live streamed and will be available on the Å®ÓÅapp website for guests who are unable to attend the ceremony. Updates and information will be coming shortly.

AFTER THE CEREMONY


Guests

Please coordinate where you will meet with your guests after the ceremony. The quad courtyard will be a great place to reunite with your family and friends and take photos. It is important to exit Landis Auditorium after the ceremony is over so that we can reset for the next group of graduates.

Graduation Survey 2025

As you prepare to embark on the next phase of your lives, we invite you to participate in the Graduation Survey. Your valuable insights and feedback are crucial to improving Å®ÓÅapp's programs and services for current and future students. By taking a few moments to complete this survey, you will have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the educational experiences of those who follow in your footsteps. The Graduation Survey covers various aspects of your time at Å®ÓÅapp, including academics, student support services, campus facilities, extracurricular activities, and more. Your responses will provide us with invaluable information to better understand your needs and expectations, allowing us to enhance our offerings and ensure an exceptional educational environment.

Should you have any questions or comments regarding the survey or its content, please don't hesitate to reach out to Wendy McEwen, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, at Wendy.McEwen@rcc.edu. Wendy and her team are available to address any inquiries and provide assistance throughout the survey process.

Gradfest Photos

Get ready to celebrate your achievements in style at Gradfest 2025! We're planning an unforgettable event just for you. Stay tuned for more details coming soon! Make sure to follow us on social media to stay updated. Let's make this Gradfest one to remember!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Each student who RSVPs to commencement will receive three wristbands for guests and one for themselves. Both guests and graduates are required to wear wristbands to enter Landis. Additional wristbands may be requested at the time of RSVP, subject to availability. However, it's important to note that there is no guarantee of extra wristbands, even if requested.

If you return them to Admissions and Records, we will reallocate to those on the waitlist. Your fellow graduates thank you!

Students are assigned ceremony times based on their program of study and are unable to change them. The only exception is if a student has a final scheduled during their assigned ceremony time. In such cases, they should complete the RSVP form and indicate their final time for consideration.

Certainly! The entire commencement ceremony will be livestreamed, providing the opportunity for remote viewing. Additionally, the ceremony will be available for viewing on Youtube after its conclusion.

Yes, a family member is welcome to bring their baby. However, please note that strollers or car seat carriers are not allowed. Babies do not require wristbands, but they must be held throughout the event. Alternatively, your family member can utilize the livestream option to watch from home.

Absolutely! Accessible seating is provided in the auditorium, conveniently located near the entrance.

Absolutely! We love seeing personalized caps! Graduates are encouraged to get creative and decorate their caps in a fun and respectful way. Just make sure your design doesn’t block anyone’s view or include anything that could be considered inappropriate.

Due to the nature of the venue, we ask that you return to your seat and remain seated until the end of the ceremony to be respectful of your fellow grads. If you have an emergency and need to leave the auditorium, you will not be able to return.

Free parking is available on campus in white-lined spaces. Guests are advised against parking in nearby neighborhoods to avoid potential fines. Due to limited parking availability, carpooling is encouraged.

No, there is no mandatory rehearsal. However, a rehearsal video will be provided for viewing prior to commencement. On the day of commencement, please follow directions from Å®ÓÅapp representatives and security personnel for a smooth experience.

No, such items are prohibited to ensure an enjoyable experience for all attendees. Guests will not be permitted to enter the auditorium with prohibited items, including weapons of any kind.

You can pick up your wristbands and name cards on May 23. All items MUST be picked up by 5 pm on Thursday, June 5th .

You can designate someone to pick up the wristbands for you. Simply email evaluations@rcc.edu from your Å®ÓÅappD email and include your name and student ID number along with the name of the person picking them up for you. They will need to show photo ID and sign for the wristbands. 

Please contact evulauations@rcc.edu for options. We will work with you!

Unfortunately, lost or damaged wristbands will not be replaced due to limited availability. Please ensure the safekeeping of your wristbands as you would any important document.

Only service animals are permitted inside the auditorium as required by law. However, your furry friend can enjoy the ceremony via livestream from the comfort of home.

Each graduate will receive one diploma cover at commencement. Additional covers may be obtained from Admissions and Records once you receive the email that the degree has been awarded. Additional covers are subject to availability.

No, each graduate is permitted to walk at only one commencement. Please indicate your preferred program of study on the RSVP form.

Graduates will receive a diploma cover during commencement. Actual diplomas will be mailed to the address on file approximately 12 weeks after the semester ends.

After your degree is awarded, your degrees and state certificates will be listed on your official Å®ÓÅappD transcript. Transcripts can be requested via the Å®ÓÅapp website.

Yes! ASL interpretation will be available for both students and guests. Additionally, close captioning will be provided on the screen throughout the ceremony.

Contact Us

Information regarding commencement day will be sent via Å®ÓÅappD email to students who RSVP. Check your email regularly!

If you have any questions, please contact us at Evaluations@rcc.edu.

Commencement Archives

2024 Commencement

2023 Commencement

2022 Commencement

2021