Commencement FAQs
Applying to graduate from CGCC with your certificate or degree is not the same as attending or RSVPing to the Commencement ceremony. Participating in the Commencement ceremony does not guarantee that you have fulfilled all the graduation requirements and your diploma, if eligible, will be mailed to you after grades have been processed and the college has confirmed that all requirements have been met.
No, at CGCC final grades are not posted and transcripts are not evaluated until AFTER the graduation ceremonies. So, what does that mean? It means you should apply to graduate, RSVP when you receive the email in April and look for official notification of your graduation status via your Maricopa Student Email. Please allow 8–10 weeks after the end of the semester to receive this notification.
Submitting your RSVP will not impact or delay the final review of your graduation eligibility.
This is the ceremony for you! CGCC only hosts commencement ceremonies once a year in May. If you applied and were approved to graduate in Summer/Fall 2026 you are eligible to attend the May 2027 ceremony. If you are graduating at the end of summer you are eligible to attend but please note attending the ceremony does not guarantee you will graduate and receive a diploma, you still need to complete your coursework and apply to formally graduate. Please email [email protected] so we can check on capacity.
Diplomas for your earned degree and certificate will be mailed to your address on record once grades have been processed and the college has confirmed that all requirements have been met. You will NOT receive your actual diploma at the ceremony and participating in the ceremony does not guarantee or signify that you officially graduate. Digital diplomas are available as well starting in May 2026.
Check back in March 2027 for more information
Check back in March 2027 for more information
Check back in March 2027 for more information
All graduates are required to wear a black cap and gown in order to participate in the commencement ceremony.
Decoration of graduation caps is allowed; however, please ensure that the designs are school-appropriate. No vulgar language, advertising or violation of our MCCCD policies. Don’t forget to check out the cap decorating events happening in May!
Ten minutes before the commencement ceremony begins, faculty and staff will escort you to the Coyote Gymnasium to commence the ceremony.
- You will enter the ceremony in two lines during the processional and take your seats in the gym.
- Key leaders and a student speaker(s) will share remarks during the event.
- As your name is called, you will walk across the stage.
- You will receive an empty diploma cover; your actual diploma will be issued later, as grades are not yet finalized.
- On stage, you will pose for a photo with your diploma cover while shaking hands with either the President of CGCC or the Chancellor of the Maricopa Community Colleges.
- Afterward, you will return to your seat, shift your tassel, and join in the celebration!
- We kindly ask that all graduates and their guests gather outside the Coyote Center at the conclusion of the ceremony, as the ceremony space will be closed for cleaning once it has been cleared.
GradImages will be taking photos during the ceremony and of each graduate. You can also access staged photos taken during the ceremony by GradImages. They will also reach out to you directly after the ceremony with your photos and options for ordering.
There will also be photo stations available throughout the commencement ceremony for your enjoyment.
Typically, the commencement ceremonies will last around 90 minutes.
Yes! You can watch each ceremony here!
Check back in May 2027
After the event's conclusion, please visit https://www.youtube.com/@chandlergilbertcc to find your ceremony recording.
Check back in March 2027 for more information
Tickets are not required for participate in or attend commencement. However, due to capacity limitations we ask that each graduate bring no more than 4 guests.
Check back in March 2027 for more information
Please email [email protected] with any questions.
- ASL interpreters will be at all of the ceremonies.
- A first aid station is available at the ceremony site as well as free water stations at several locations.
Please leave balloons, noisemakers, confetti and large signs/banners at home in order to maintain a safe and fun experience for all of our graduates and guests.
Strollers and wagons are not allowed in the ceremony area; a storage area will be provided for these items near the back of the Coyote Center Gymnasium.