Commencement 2025
Commencement 2025
Friday, June 13th
Landis Performing Arts Center
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 RCCD email regularly for updates and additional information.
✨ In addition to Commencement, RCC proudly hosts a series of special graduation ceremonies recognizing the achievements of students from our diverse communities.✨
Learn more about these celebrations »
|
Ceremony Start Time |
Student Check-in time |
Guest Seating time |
|---|---|---|
|
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 RCC Book Store or online on the bookstore website. Sales for regalia begin on Tuesday, May 6th.
Information will be available on the RCC Book Store website 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! RCC 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 RCCD email.
Name Card
Name cards and wristbands for guests and yourself will be picked up in Admissions and Records 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 GradImages® Preregistration 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* |
Ceremony Start time |
Student Check-in Time |
Guest Seating Times |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Social Behavioral Sciences |
Noon |
11 AM |
11:30 AM |
|
Languages & Humanities & Visual, Performing and Creative Arts |
2:30 PM |
1:30 PM |
2 PM |
|
Advanced Technical Arts and Trades, Business, Law, & Computer Info Systems, & Education |
4:30 PM |
3:30 PM |
4 PM |
|
STEM & Health-Related Sciences |
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 RCC. 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.
Watch LiveStream
The ceremony will be live streamed and will be available on the RCC 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 RCC'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 RCC, 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 @RiversideCityCollege 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 RCC 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 RCCD 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 RCCD transcript. Transcripts can be requested via the RCC 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 RCCD email to students who RSVP. Check your email regularly!
If you have any questions, please contact us at Evaluations@rcc.edu.
Commencement Archives
2021