Commencement

Congratulations on your academic achievement at Phoenix College! Get pumped to turn your tassels and leave your PC home with a sense of accomplishment and pride. This is a very exciting time of the year as you receive the degree/certificate for which you have worked so hard to complete.

Phoenix College’s 97th annual Commencement Ceremony, honoring the achievements of the Class of 2019, will take place on May 10, 2019.

Check out our 2019 Graduate Thank You videos on YouTube. You can find the playlist here.

Graduation Ceremony

Date: Friday, May 8, 2020
Time: TBD
Place: TBD
Theme:TBD

How to Wear Your Cap & Gown

2017 Commencement Video

2018 Commencement Video

Downloads:

Student Commencement Fact Sheet (Spring 2019)
Commencement Parking Map (updated) (Spring 2019)
Faculty Commencement Fact Sheet (Spring 2019)

RSVP for cultural convocations

Preparing for Spring Graduation Ceremony

Prepare for graduation and ensure a successful and enjoyable commencement ceremony. Follow the steps outlined below:

Note: Since the graduation ceremony is held once per year, previous year Summer and Fall degree/certificate completers may participate. Students may be awarded after the completion of each semester (Spring, Summer, Fall).

Step 1: Obtain Official Transcripts

Obtain your Official Transcripts

Ensure that all credits received at other institutions is sent to Phoenix College by ordering official transcripts and sending them to:

Phoenix College Admissions, Records, and Registration
1202 W. Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85013

Please note: You do not need to have other Maricopa Community College transcripts sent to PC.

Step 2: Submit Application & Pay Fees

Submit Your Application

Applications are located at the Welcome Desk in the Hannelly Center or you can download the application below. Submission can be done in-person with an advisor, at Cashier’s office, or an Admissions representative. If you cannot submit the application in-person you may submit via e-mail to ar@phoenixcollege.edu. Applications must be received by March 31 in order to ensure your name will appear in the commencement program. Phoenix College commencement is open to all degree and certificate graduates.

Instructions:

Download a degree application or certificate application [PDF].
Submit a separate application for each degree/certificate.
Attach a completed check sheet or degree progress report for each degree/certificate. Check sheets should be picked up from the Hannelly One-Stop Enrollment Center (you can also find check sheets and more information at the MCCCD Curriculum website)
Note: It is strongly recommended that students schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor or Program Coordinator for a review of your check sheet.

Pay Your Fees

$25 commencement participation fee (includes cap, gown, tassel, and hard cover)
$5 hard cover
$5 tassel
$5 reorder/reprint of certificate or diploma
$0 if you wish to only receive your diploma/certificate in the mail

Outstanding Balances

This is a good time to be sure you have no outstanding balances, fees, or traffic fines before you submit your graduation application. Any debts within the Maricopa Colleges must be cleared before a degree/certificate can be awarded.

Step 3: Grad Trax

Grad Trax is a graduation information session for all potential graduates who are targeted to complete a degree or certificate. In this informational session, you will learn about the many resources available to assist you with your transition from Phoenix College to your next step. The resources include, the next steps to transfer to a university or the tools needed to apply for your career. You will gain knowledge on the importance of paying off student debt and payment options available to you. The session will wrap up with what to expect on commencement day and what you can do to get involved with Phoenix College’s Alumni Association.

Steps to Sign Up for Grad Trax

1. Select the Grad Trax Session with the date and time convenient for you

Monday Morning Sessions 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

TBA

Wednesday Night Sessions 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

TBA

2. If you have trouble registering, you can receive help by:

Visiting the Welcome Center inside the Hannelly Building
Calling the Contact Center at 602.285.7777
Or e-mailing ar@phoenixcollege.edu. Please include your full name, ID number, and date you wish to attend.

Step 4: Order Special Regalia

Honors Program Cords & Special Designation

If you are receiving honor’s designations from the Honors Program, contact the coordinator of this program directly at 602-285-7305 or PC-Honors@phoenixcollege.edu. This designation is not handled through Admissions, Records & Registration.

Phi Theta Kappa Graduation Regalia

If you are planning on ordering regalia for your graduation, please go to http://www.ptk.org/Store.aspx and click "login" in the upper right corner. Then follow the instructions for entering your Phi Theta Kappa membership number and school information (you should have received your PTK membership card in the mail). Once you have successfully entered the information, you'll be able to order your graduation regalia. You may choose to order the cords, the stole, or both. PTK regalia MUST be ordered early and will not be available at the commencement ceremony.

Veterans

If you are a veteran and would like to wear the Veteran's commencement stole, please contact Veterans Services at 602.285.7342.

Cultural Stoles

You may attend a cultural convocation and receive a cultural stole. Please RSVP here.

Distinction Cords

Degree-seeking students may receive a distinction cord which is based on the grade point average at the end of the previous fall semester. There will be no spring semester grades taken into consideration for your graduating GPA. If you are participating in commencement, the distinction cords earned will be disbursed at check in at Grand Canyon University.

GPA of 3.50 – 3.699 White Honor Cord

GPA of 3.70 – 3.899 Red Honor Cord

GPA of 3.90 – 4.000 Gold honor Cord

Step 5: Pick Up Cap & Gown

Cap and gowns will be available at the Phoenix College Bookstore starting March 18. Their hours of operation are Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

**Deadline to pick up your cap and gown and complete the graduation questionnaire at the Bookstore is April 12. If you pick up your cap and gown after April 12, your name may or may not be displayed on the live screen at the ceremony.

When picking up your regalia, the Bookstore will provide you with a “Commencement Ceremony Information Fact Sheet” and map for the commencement ceremony at Grand Canyon University. The Bookstore sells graduation announcements if you would like to purchase them.

GPA of 3.50 – 3.699 White Honor Cord

GPA of 3.70 – 3.899 Red Honor Cord

GPA of 3.90 – 4.000 Gold honor Cord

Student Speaker

If you would like to be a part of making Phoenix College history, apply to be the “Student Speaker” at the 2019 Phoenix College Commencement Ceremony!

To be considered for this honor, please submit the following:

A one-page personal letter discussing why you should be selected to be the Student Speaker.
A draft of your 3-minute speech (approximately 500-600 words). The purpose of the speech is to welcome the audience to the commencement ceremony.
Include your personal contact information (email, telephone, etc.) as to how we may reach you.

* Submissions must be received by Friday, March 22 by 4:00 p.m. via e-mail to gene.heppard@phoenixcollege.edu

Finalists will be contacted to schedule their audition time, in which they will present their speech to the Selection Committee.

Applications will be judged on the following criteria:

Student must be graduating in May 2019 and be participating in the Commencement Ceremony on May 10, 2019.
Content of speech.
Organization of speech.
Appropriateness for welcoming the audience to the commencement ceremony.
Time limit (can be done in 3 minutes).
Ability to appropriately represent the 2019 graduating class of Phoenix College.
GPA Requirement 2.0

If you are selected as the “Student Speaker” for Commencement, you will be expected to rehearse (and revise if necessary) your speech with a faculty mentor from the Communication Department. For further information, contact Gene Heppard at 602.285.7962.

Day of Ceremony

Commencement Ceremony

The doors open at Grand Canyon University at 6:00 p.m. for graduates and their guests. Graduates will be directed outside the Arena for check-in and should arrive no later than 6:15 p.m. The ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m. sharp with a processional of our graduates entering the Arena. Balloons, strollers, flowers or blowhorns are not allowed in the Arena, and there will be security scanners at the main entrance.

Graduates must stay in the arena for the entire commencement and are not allowed to leave early.

If guests need to leave the arena, they will be directed to a designated door if they with to re-enter. Guests must present their ticket marked for re-entry.

If you are participating in the Phoenix College Spring 2019 commencement, graduation computations are not finalized until all grades are posted for the degree/certificate. All participants will receive an award cover as you approach the stage.

After commencement, graduates will be directed to the open grass area in front of the arena where light refreshments will be served.

Parking

Graduates and guests should use the 29th Avenue parking structure located on Camelback and 29th Avenue. You are encouraged to use 27th Avenue to enter the parking structure and get around rush hour traffic. Please plan accordingly to arrive on time due to rush hour traffic and the distance from the parking structure to the Arena. Comfortable walking shoes are advised. If closer handicapped parking is needed, call 602.285.7477 to make prior arrangements.

Ten six-passenger golf carts are available at the 29th Avenue garage to transport guests to the arena. Follow the signs to the arena; there will be no foot traffic allowed on Camelback for safety purposes. Golf cart shuttles will run 1 1/2 hours before 6:00 p.m. (starting at 4:30) and will stop one hour after commencement.

Graduates should bring minimal personal items to the area. There are no lockers or areas to store personal items.

Student Commencement Parking Map

Special Accommodations

Seating for disabled guests will be available.
Interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing will be present.
ADA parking is available at the 33rd Avenue garage in addition to the 29th Avenue garage; however the 33rd Avenue garage will have no golf cart shuttles available to the arena.
ADA seating inside the area is on a first-come, first-served basis. If you or your guests need ADA accommodations, call Disability Resource Center at 602.285.7477.

Guest Ticketing

Tickets will be available to pick-up starting April 22 at the Welcome Desk in the Hannelly Center.

Tickets will be required for all guest. No one will be allowed in the Arena without a ticket.
Each graduate can request up to eight tickets for family and friends.
Graduates should wear their gown to commencement. This is your ticket to get into the arena.
Children three and under do not need a ticket if sharing a seat with a ticket holder.
Graduates may request additional tickets at pick-up. If additional tickets are available (starting May 6), graduates who requested additional tickets will be contacted by phone and/or student email account.
There will be a "Will Call" table for guests/graduates to pick up tickets the day of commencement located at the front entrance of the arena. Tickets will be held under the graduates name. Call 602.285.7886 or email leidy.martinez-gonzalez@phoenixcollege.edu.

Family and guests are encouraged to arrive early. Doors to Grand Canyon University Arena will open at 6:00 p.m. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.

Graduate Check-in

Due to traffic, graduates should be at GCU by 6:00 p.m. Due to the large volume of guests, there will be an express lane for graduates on both the east and west sides of the arena by the metal detectors.
Graduates will be directed to the loading dock in the back of the arena for check in. All graduates should be checked in by 6:30 p.m.

Portraits

GradImages Inc. will take “no obligation” portrait photographs during the ceremony. When you check in at commencement, you will receive a photo card to complete and give to them before going across the stage. Order photographs online at www.gradimages.com or call 800-261-2576.

Family and friends may take pictures AFTER the conclusion of the recessional march. Faculty, administrators, and staff will remain a few minutes for pictures.

Social Media

#PCgrad19

#PCproud

#Heartofthebear.

Phoenix College Geofilters will be available on Snapchat!

Alumni Membership

Alumni

Once you graduate, you will become a proud alum of Phoenix College. Please fill out the alumni membership form to receive information about events and activities that are alumni specific. Membership into the Phoenix College Alumni Association is free to all alumni who either attended or graduated from Phoenix College. Make sure to visit our Facebook page and Like us!