Graduation
Congratulations, you are an ACC Graduate! ACC's Annual Commencement Ceremony celebrates the hard work and dedication of our students. You have focused to earn a certificate, or degree, or both. The annual commencement ceremony, scheduled for May 11, 2022, is for students who earned a certificate, or degree any time during the academic year. Please note, this date may change given local, state, and federal restrictions regarding COVID-19.
You will be eligible to participate in the annual ceremony if you:
- Finished your program requirements during the Summer or Fall 2021 semester
- Are enrolled for Spring 2022 and will complete all program requirements by the end of the Spring semester
- Will enroll for Summer 2022 and will complete all program requirements by the end of the Summer semester
Before you celebrate, there are a few more steps you need to take to receive your diploma/certificate and take part in ACC’s Commencement Ceremony. What is the difference between Graduation and Commencement? Graduation is earning your degree or certificate. Commencement is the ceremony celebrating you earning your degree or certificate.
Step1: Apply to Graduate
To receive your diploma and/or certificate:
(If you have already received your diploma / certificate, or applied, you can skip this step.)
- Complete a graduation application for each degree or certificate. Did you earn a certificate while completing your degree? Apply to receive both!
- ACC will email you a degree audit
- ACC reviews degrees and certificates throughout the semester
- Application deadlines: (Did you miss a deadline? Apply now.)
- June 30 for graduation in the summer semester
- October 31 for graduation in the fall semester
- March 15 for graduation in the spring semester and to have your name in the Commencement program
Step 2: Confirm your mailing address
We will mail your diploma/certificate to the home address we have on file. The graduation application has a box for you to check if you have a new address. Not sure you checked the box? You can update and check the address we have on file in myACC, under Personal Information, on the Student tab.
*Degrees/certificates will be mailed 4-6 weeks after final grades are posted for the semester in which you complete your program requirements.
Step 3: Receive Updates About Commencement
We continue to monitor health and safety guidelines. This ceremony will meet the guidance and requirements set by health officials. Let us know if you would like to participate in Commencement, opt-out of updates, or have a question. Please complete the Commencement Assistance form. A member of the Commencement Planning team will follow up with you.
Step 4: Plan to Order Your Regalia Set
More information on how to order your cap and gown will be posted once available. Black cap / gown for bachelor’s degree; purple cap / gown for associate degree and/or certificate. All graduates will have a purple / white tassel.
Step 5: Join the Alumni Association
The ACC Alumni Association will keep you connected to ACC, your fellow graduates, and ACC Services. As a member we will help you with career services, campus discounts and networking events.
Step 6: Plan to celebrate!
Graduating is a really big deal! You should be proud of your accomplishments. Though this year will look different than what you probably had in mind, you've earned a celebration. Get your party started with our digital party pack filled with a graduation announcement, decorations, digital photo props, cap decorating ideas and more. All of ACC — from your faculty to support staff to administrators — congratulate you!
Commencement Day
Honor Cords will be distributed at check in.
GradImages will be taking photographs of graduates at Commencement as you receive your diploma cover* and as you exit. GradImages® is proud to be the official graduation photographer for Arapahoe Community College! Finding your photos will be easy. You will receive your free photo proofs via email or mail after the ceremony or visit GradImages.com to view and purchase custom photo products like prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more. For assistance, please contact the GradImages Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576.
Congratulations Pumas! We can't wait to celebrate with you!
Contacts
Graduation Requirements
Allison Lemmertz
Graduation Coordinator
303.797.5630
allison [dot] lemmertz [at] arapahoe [dot] edu
Commencement Ceremony Planning Committee
Dean of Students Office
303.797.5730
acc [dot] dos [at] arapahoe [dot] edu
Related Links
Arapahoe Community College's 55th Annual Commencement
Location TBD
Wednesday, May 11, 2022 (subject to change)
