The Event

Congratulations, Gauchos!

Through hard work, diligence and perseverance, you have attained a significant milestone in your life - earning your degree or certificate from college. Congratulations! We are glad you chose Glendale Community College and look forward to celebrating with you.

Please join us at the May 2026 Commencement Ceremony so we may celebrate your academic accomplishments with your family and friends.
 

Ceremony Information

On Friday, May 15, 2026, the ceremony will begin promptly at 3:00 p.m. Doors open at 1:00 p.m.

Desert Diamond Arena
9400 W. Maryland Ave.
Glendale, AZ 85305

Streaming will be available at www.gccaz.edu/live
 

RSVP for the Commencement Ceremony

The deadline to RSVP for the GCC 2026 Commencement Ceremony has passed. If you missed the deadline and graduated in Fall 2025 or have applied for Spring/Summer 2026, but would still like to participate in the ceremony, please email [email protected].  

Regalia

Graduates with an Associate Degree or Certificate of Completion: A black cap and gown are required to participate in the ceremony. GCC's preferred vendor (Jostens) is ready to take your order and ship it directly to your residence. In order to guarantee delivery, orders must be placed through the link below by April 14, 2026.

Did you miss the deadline to order online? No worries-- Jostens will be on campus with limited inventory on May 7, 2026 for our Last Chance Cap and Gown Event! Stop by the Student Union (by the fireplace) between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to purchase your regalia package (cap, gown, and tassel) for $35. A variety of stoles, alternative tassels, and à la carte items will also be available while supplies last.

Graduates with a Bachelor's Degree: A red cap and gown are required to participate in the ceremony. The GCC Graduation team will contact you regarding sizing and pickup options.

Caps and gowns may also be purchased through a different retailer, borrowed from a friend, or purchased second-hand. If financial assistance is needed, please reach out to [email protected] for more information.

Proper regalia is to be worn with gowns zipped up and caps on the head for the ceremony.

GCC Cap Decorating

Join your fellow graduates to decorate your cap at the GCC Cap Decorating event, sponsored by the Peer Success Team.

  • May 6, 2026: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • May 7, 2026: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Join us in the Student Union (by the fireplace); supplies will be provided.
 

Graduate Check-In and Gaucho Reception

All graduates are required to check in at the venue (GATE 7) between 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

After you check in, come hang out with your fellow Gauchos, faculty, and staff at our pre-ceremony reception. Snap pics at the photo booth (don't forget one with the Gaucho!), and grab some light bites and water to keep the energy high while vibing out with our DJ.

This is your moment to celebrate how far you've come - and get hyped for everything that's next. Because if today's this good, just wait… the best is yet to come.

The Lineup for the procession starts at 2:30 pm. Let's make it unforgettable!

Please leave any personal items in your car or with family or friends before checking in. Cell phones should be silenced during the Commencement Ceremony. You will receive a name card that you will carry with you until you walk across the stage. Late arrivals might not be able to participate in the ceremony.
 

Accessibility

To ask questions about accessibility or request accommodations for graduates, please contact Julie Nevarez at [email protected] or 623-845-3080. At least five business days' notice will help us provide seamless access. Outside this window, the institution will make the best effort to accommodate requests.

Accessible seating for guests is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Upon arrival inside Gate 3, check in with a venue representative.
 

Closed Captioning

Closed captioning will be available for all guests and participants.

 

Graduation Invitations

Invite your friends and family to celebrate your graduation! Graduates can log into https://gccaz.tassel.com to send out invitation emails.

Graduation with Distinction

Students graduating with Distinction and that register for the Commencement Ceremony will be able to pick up the honor cords in the Enrollment Center the week of graduation and at graduate check in. An email will be sent to qualifying students.

*with distinction (red cord) GPA 3.5-3.69
**with high distinction (white cord) GPA 3.70-3.89
***with highest distinction (gold cord) GPA 3.90-4.0

GPA for Honors distinction is calculated at the time of graduation application/petition submission and does not include any in-progress grades, grades received after the initial calculation, or grades not on file at the initial calculation. The final GPA and resulting distinction level will not be changed based on new grades.

Certificate programs are not eligible for institutional honors.
 

Photography and Flowers

Photography

GradImages® is proud to be the official graduation photographer for Glendale Community College! You will receive your photo proofs via email or mail after the event so that you can decide if you would like to purchase any of the images. You can also search for your images on gradimages.com. Questions? Please contact the GradImages Customer Service Department at 800-261-2576 or [email protected].

Pre-register with GradImages before the graduation ceremony photos and receive a discount!

Flowers

Floral bouquets, Orchid Lei's, Kukui nut lei's, and other gift items will be available to purchase at the commencement ceremony. Pre-order and reserve your gifts .

All online orders will be available for pickup on-site on the day of the ceremony. To retrieve your order, please stop by the booth located conveniently at the entrance to the arena before the ceremony begins.
 

Social Media

Tag GCC in your graduation social media posts using #gccazgrad
 

Know Before You Go

Ticketing

Tickets will not be needed to attend the event. Seating will be general admission. There is no charge to attend the ceremony. Doors open to the public at 1:00 pm.

Parking

Parking lots are nearby for those driving to the arena, including ADA parking. Parking for graduation events is free (available on a first-come, first-served basis).

Guests and graduates for the GCC commencement ceremony are assigned to LOT J. See Parking Map. Spaces are available on a first come, first serve basis. Please allow extra time to get from the parking spot to the arena.

Graduates will enter at GATE 7. Guests will enter at Gate 4.

What Not to Bring

Bags and purses measuring 12" x 12" x 6" or smaller are permitted inside Desert Diamond Arena. All bags must meet these dimensions regardless of whether they are clear bags or not. Banners, flags or signs of any shape and size, as well as balloons are prohibited. Graduates and guests will be asked to return items to their cars if they do not comply. Please see Desert Diamond Arena A-Z Guide and Bag Policy for more information and policies.

Food and Beverage

Concession stands will be open. Attendees can purchase a range of food, water, and other beverages (alcohol will not be sold).
 

Diploma

Your application for a degree or certificate will be reviewed and processed within 45 days after the semester in which you applied if the following criteria are met:

  1. You met the graduation application deadline.

  2. Earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in the coursework (100 level and above) to satisfy degree or certificate requirements completed in residence.

  3. You have completed the minimum amount of credits required at GCC.

Upon completing your degree program, your diploma(s) and/or certificate(s) will be mailed to the address on file in your Student Center.

All financial obligations to GCC must be cleared before we can release your degree and/or certificate. Visit your Student Center to update your address and check for any messages.