Commencement

Commencement Ceremony (ceremony lasts approximately 1.25 hours) 

GRADUATE ARRIVAL – All graduates should arrive to campus by 6:00 P.M. Students will assemble in the San Gabriel Plaza.

NAME CARDS – Graduates will be given a blank name card and a pen to be completed with all your contact information. Please write your name clearly and legibly. The name card will be handed to the Name Announcer prior to crossing the stage to receive your certificate of participation.

LINE UP AND PROCESSIONAL – Graduates are to line up with the direction provided by Graduation Staff.  All graduation candidates will proceed to Sartoris Field at 7:00 P.M.

THINGS TO CONSIDER - Please leave handbags, backpacks, and purses at home or in your car. GCC will not be able to provide storage space for bags. Wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and bring sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun. The event is outdoors, and shade is limited. You may decorate your graduation cap.

Graduation Caps & Gowns will be available for purchase in the GCC Bookstore and online starting May 4, 2026.

GCC Bookstore

The GCC Graduation is open to everyone.

There are no tickets for this event. We ask that you do submit an RSVP for guests, so we properly prepare for the ceremony & reception. Graduates can RSVP guests with their invitation.

GRADUATION PHOTOGRAPHERS – GradImages photographers will be taking your photos during the graduation ceremony.  Pre-register with GradImages and receive 20% off your photos! Family and friends are not permitted on the field at any time.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To be respectful of those with allergies and environmental sensitivities, we ask that you please refrain from wearing strong fragrances.

Access for graduates and guests with disabilities will be available for the Commencement ceremony. Below are the services that will be provided.

Please note that wheelchairs and other assistive devices of a personal nature will not be available. There will be a significant distance from the parking areas to the ceremony locations, so please plan accordingly.

Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate a last-minute reasonable accommodation request. In such cases though, it may be possible to accommodate only the person with the disability. The deadline to submit an accommodation request is May 30, 2026.

To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Disabled Students Programs and Services on or before May 30, 2026 at 818-240-1000 Ext 5905 or csd@glendale.edu

Accessible Parking

If you have a state-issued disability parking placard or plate, you may park in designated ADA parking or any other open parking spaces. Campus parking in LOT A and LOT C will accommodate vehicles with state-issued disability parking placard or plate. 

                                                             CAMPUS MAP

Accessible Transportation

Transportation is available to the Commencement Ceremony and is limited to our guest with a disability, plus one. The wait times may be as long as 15 minutes due to heavy volume. Transportation will be available in lots A, B, and C.

Accessible Seating

Accessible seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the event. Reservations are NOT required for accessible seating.

Sign Language Interpreters

Sign language interpreters will be provided at the ceremony.

First Aid Station

A first aid station for minor concerns will be located within the vicinity of the ceremony site. Please ask a Commencement volunteer for directions. If you or someone around you appears to be having a medical emergency, please call 911.

Animals at Commencement

Glendale Community College welcomes service animals on campus, as long as they always remain harnessed and rest in the seating area of the individual with a disability. All service animals must stay in ticketed areas and may not block any aisle, hallway, etc. Service animals are working animals trained to perform tasks for the benefit of individuals with a disability. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the American with Disabilities Act. Please leave pets at home for their safety and comfort as the commencement environment will have large crowds, heat, noise and confusion. Please note California State Law prohibits leaving an animal inside a confined vehicle.

 

Graduates and guests are invited to attend a reception at Plaza Vaquero immediately following the commencement ceremony. This event is sponsored by the Associated Students of Glendale Community College.

Parking is FREE in the GCC Parking Structure on Mountain Street.

On-campus parking in Lot B and Lot C is available at no charge for those attending the GCC graduation on Friday, June 12th.

Overflow parking for graduation is also available in city parking lots 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 which are across the street from the college, on June 12th, after 4pm.

Accessible Parking
If you have a state-issued disability parking placard or plate, you may park in designated ADA parking or any other open parking spaces. Campus parking LOT A and C will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

CAMPUS MAP

Please be advised that filming and photography are occurring on and around these premises.

Attendance at Glendale Community College programs and events constitutes consent to be photographed for use in print and/or electronic publicity for Glendale Community College. To ensure the privacy of individuals, images will not be identified using full names or personal identifying information without written approval from the photographed subject, parent or legal guardian. If you do not want us to use a photo or video of you, please notify the Glendale Community College photographer via email at comms@glendale.edu. Thank you.