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Graduates

On Friday, June 20, 2025, graduates from all three Seattle Colleges will join together to celebrate their accomplishments in front of proud family members, friends, faculty, staff, and guests. The anticipation and preparation for this day is long-awaited. Chancellor Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap and the leadership of Seattle Colleges will be there to confer degrees as each graduate makes that milestone walk across the stage at Alaska Airlines Arena on the campus of the University of Washington in Seattle.

Graduates should plan to arrive when doors open to ensure enough time to pass through security and get your GradPass/StagePass. Doors open 90 minutes before each ceremony. 

  • 3 p.m. Ceremony: Doors open at 1:30 p.m.
  • 7 p.m. Ceremony: Doors open at 5:30 p.m. 

Read more about which ceremony to attend on the Event Information and Updates page.
 

What to Bring

  • A cap, gown, and tassel are required for all graduates participating in the commencement ceremony. 
  • Wear comfortable shoes. Heels are not recommended. Graduates will be walking and standing for extended periods of time. 
  • Personal storage is unavailable. Bring only small necessary items (phone, wallet, keys, tiny purse) to the ceremony. Please read the clear bag policy (UW website) for a full list of approved items. 
  • Concessions will not be accepting cash. Please bring another method of payment if you choose to purchase snacks.
  • Balloons are not allowed inside the arena. There will be "balloon parking" outside the building for those who bring balloons.
  • Please visit our Venue and Parking page for additional details.
     

First Stop: Get Your Grad Pass / Stage Pass

Graduates, you will need a physical GradPass/StagePass card to walk across the stage at the commencement ceremony. Pick up your GradPass/StagePass when you arrive at Alaska Airlines Arena. After security check, you will pick up your GradPass/StagePass by entering a line with the first letter of your last name. Check-in tables are located in the south part of the concourse. 

Keep your GradPass/StagePass card with you. You will be asked to show your GradPass/StagePass before you walk across the stage.  

Click on the topics below for important information to assist as you plan for your commencement day.

Before you can register to attend commencement you need to apply for graduation. Refer to your college’s graduation website for information about applying for graduation, deadlines, and related information.

Commencement is the annual shared event on Fri., June 20, 2025, where we celebrate our graduates’ accomplishments along with family, faculty and staff, and the community.

Eligible graduates are invited to register to attend the commencement ceremony through the email address and mobile phone on file in ctcLink. The link to register for Commencement will be emailed to eligible students by Wednesday, May 15. The registration process allows you to record your name to ensure it is pronounced correctly and allows you to leave a quote about your experience at Seattle Colleges. Once you register for Commencement, it will activate your Grad Pass, which is required to cross the stage on June 20. Learn more.

Graduates and guests have several transportation and parking options to get to Alaska Arena on June 20. Please visit our venue and parking page for details.

Concourse Map, Food, Restrooms, etc.  
After you pick up your Grad Pass/StagePass, you can enjoy the selfie station and take professional headshots. Concession stands will be open where you can purchase refreshments, as well as a charging station for your phone. Restrooms are available for your use on the concourse. You can also take the time to relax before lining up for the processional 30 minutes before the ceremony.

Graduates and guests may enter at either the Northwest Entrance or Southwest Entrance to Alaska Airlines Arena.

First Stop, graduates should check in at the tables located on the south part of the concourse. Check in by the first letter of your last name, or if you registered after May 26, check in at the No Stage Pass? table. There is also a "Selfie Station" for fun photos. 

The north part of the concourse offers tables representing the Student Experience and include:

  • Access, Community, and Opportunity
  • Seattle Promise
  • Explore Bachelor's Degrees
  • Graduate buttons and pins
  • Assistance with caps and gowns 
  • Honor cords distribution
  • Seattle Colleges scholarship recipients
  • Scholar portraits
  • Grad Images professional portraits

Concessions are offered on both sections of the concourse. The concessions stand is located near the women's restrooms. 

Seating will be available for student before the ceremony in sections 9, 11, and 12.

Click image for larger version of concourse map. PDF of concourse map (for print only).

Map of Alaska Airlines Arena Concourse for Seattle Colleges Commencement. Right side of map represents the south part of the concourse. The Southwest Entrance is at lower right. Just off the entrance to the immediate left is an accessible ramp, and between the Northwest and Southwest Entrances is and information table as well as drinking fountain, and restrooms. Along the south concourse are tables for registration, where graduates will check in by the first letter of their last name. There are six tables for last names as follows: A through C, D through G, H through L, M through R, S through Z, and No Stage Pass, for students who registered to attend commencement after May 26, 2025. Left side of map represents the north part of the concourse. The Northwest Entrance is at lower left. Just off the entrance to the immediate right are an accessible ramp and tables for Access, Community, and Opportunity as well as Seattle Promise. Along the north concourse are tables for the following: Explore Bachelor's Degrees; Grad Buttons and Pins; Cap, Gown, Honor Cords; Seattle Colleges Scholarship Recipients; Scholar Portraits; and Grad Images Professional Portraits; as well and accessible men's and women's restrooms. In the center of the map is the entrance to the arena. Lower left, close to the Northwest Entrance is ceremony seating section 12 which will offer grad seating before the processional (also sections 11 and 9). Close to the Southwest Entrance is ceremony seating sections 11 and 9, which will offer grad seating before the processional. Towards the top center of the map is the Arena Floor, with the Stage at the top, representing the east section of the floor. The stage is where the Chancellor and College presidents will sit and where graduates will walk across to receive their diploma covers and have their names read. In the center, the the west of the stage is the seating for graduates during the ceremony. On the left section, students from Seattle Central and bachelor's degree grads will sit. On the Right, students from North and South Seattle Colleges will site.

 

 

Schedule:

1:30 p.m.Doors open for graduates and guests attending ceremony #1
 
  • Grads and guests enter together.
  • Security inspections performed.
  • Graduates visit registration table to pick up your GradPass. You will need this to cross the stage as your name is read.
  • GradImages headshots available on concourse
2:30 p.m.Graduates line up.
 
  • Grads will be assembled by college and by Bachelors of Science degrees and led downstairs through the arena tunnels to line up for the procession.
  • Seating and water will be available for those who need it while waiting in the tunnels for the processional to begin.
3 p.m.Ceremony #1 begins with processional.
4:30 p.m.Ceremony concludes.
5:30 p.m.Doors open for graduates and guests attending ceremony #2
6:30 p.m.Graduates line up. 
7 p.m.Ceremony #2 begins with processional.
8:30 p.m.Ceremony #2 concludes.

 

Conduct Agreement

The commencement ceremony is a dignified academic event that recognizes the achievements of graduates and honorees. By participating, you agree to adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Silence all cell phones and devices.
  • Keep aisles clear.
  • Refrain from blocking anyone’s view of the stage.
  • No alcohol or smoking.

Graduates are encouraged to return to their seats after they receive their diploma cover and remain until the ceremony concludes. Please plan accordingly.

Diplomas and Diploma Covers

Graduates participating in commencement ceremonies will receive a Seattle Colleges diploma cover. Upon successful completion of your degree requirements, your official diploma will be mailed to the address in your student ctcLink account approximately 8 to 10 weeks after the end of the quarter.

Visit your college’s graduation page for more information about diplomas and ordering duplicate diplomas.

Cap and Gown

A cap and gown are required for all graduates participating in the commencement ceremony.

Attire and Personal Items

  • Wear comfortable shoes. Graduates will be walking and standing for extended periods of time. 
  • Heels are not recommended. Graduates will be walking on a warming track during the processional and up and down multiple sets of stairs during the ceremony.
  • Personal storage is unavailable. Bring only small necessary items (phone, wallet, keys, tiny purse) to the ceremony.
  • Concessions will not be accepting cash. Please bring another method of payment if you choose to purchase snacks.
  • Balloons are not allowed inside the arena. There will be "balloon parking" outside the building for those who bring balloons.

GradImages, will be taking the photos of graduates as they are recognized on stage. Proofs will be emailed and mailed to your home address.

  • If you have questions regarding your proofs, contact GradImages Customer Service Department: Phone at (800) 261-2576 or email at giservice@gradimages.net.
  • You may preregister your email address at gradimages.com/Preregistration to ensure an accurate address is on file. By pre-registering, you will receive a coupon for 20% off your order.

Guests

Graduates are encouraged to bring guests to attend the ceremony.

  • Seattle Colleges does not use a ticketing system for guests.
  • There is no limit on the number of guests a graduate may bring.
  • Information for guests

Invitations

Graduates may invite as many guests as they would like. Invitations and/or tickets are not required for entry to Alaska Airlines Arena.

Graduates who registered by May 26 using Tassel are able to send invitations to guests. Graduates may also create and use their own invitations.

 

Sharing on Social Media

Congratulations, you will soon be a Seattle Colleges alum. We know you will do great things. Please share your successes with Seattle Colleges on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter. We encourage you to use the tags #SeattleCollegesAlum and/or #SeattleCollegesGrad25.

Livestream

Watch the livestream of Seattle Colleges Commencement on Friday, June 20, starting at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. PDT at www.scctv.net. 

For those unable to attend commencement in person, SCCTV will livestream the ceremony on Friday, June 21, starting at 5 p.m. PDT at www.seattlecolleges.tv. Following the ceremony, SCCTV will post the video for on-demand viewing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Didn't find the information you were looking for? Check out this list of answers to frequently asked questions about commencement.