The 66th Annual Commencement Ceremony details are as follows:

Date: Friday, May 17, 2024

Time: 6 PM (Gates open at 4PM)

Location: Falcon Stadium

There is a lot of important information we don't want you to miss.
Register to attend one of the two Commencement Info Sessions!

Registration is required!

Zoom Session #1:
Date: Thursday, May 9, 2024
Time: 5-6pm 
Register to attend Session 1

Zoom Session #2:
Date: Friday, May 10, 2024
Time: 12-1pm
Register to attend Session 2

 

What is the Difference Between a Graduation and Commencement Ceremony?

Graduation: 

• Graduation happens when you finally complete your degree requirements. Cerritos College requires students to complete an official graduation petition with a minimum number of units, before they can receive their diploma. We recommend submitting your petition at the beginning of your last term (or sooner). 
• As a rule of thumb, if you finish your requirements in the spring semester and submit a graduation petition, you can say that you “graduated” in the spring. However, it may take time for the college to evaluate your record and send an official diploma.

Commencement:

• Meanwhile, “commencement” is the official term for the graduation ceremony, where students, family, and faculty celebrate their accomplishments. Cerritos College hosts their commencement at the close of the spring term.

source

Cerritos College graduates of the 2023-2024 school year, who have filed a Petition to Graduate for the following graduating semesters are invited to participate in the Commencement Ceremony:

• Fall 2023
• Spring 2024
• Summer 2024 

No. There is no application to participate in the ceremony.

However, only graduates who submitted their petition to graduate to Admissions for the  Fall 2023, Spring 2024, or Summer 2024 semester, will be added to the graduates list and be invited to participate in the ceremony.

Admission will check every petition to graduate they receive. If you have met or will meet all the requirements to graduate from the college during the 2023-2024 school year (Fall 2023, Spring 2024, or Summer 2024 semester), you will be added to the list of graduating students.

Please see the next section "When & How We Notify/ Communicate With Graduates", for more communication information.

ARRIVE EARLY

Parking will be free on Commencement day, and the lots will fill up! Carpooling is highly encouraged!

The streets surrounding the campus will be heavily congested with traffic, especially for those accessing the campus via Alondra Blvd. To avoid traffic and parking lot congestion, we encourage graduates and guests to arrive early and park in lot 10, which can be accessed through 166th street.

ADA Parking

The section of parking immediately in front of the stadium, and an additional section in Lot 10 will be reserved for ADA parking only. To enter either of those ADA, vehicles must display a handicap placard or license plate. Parking spaces are limited and available on a first come first served basis.

Directions to Cerritos College

From Downtown Los Angeles
Take I-5 South to I-605 South, exit I-605 at Alondra Blvd, turn left on Alondra Blvd, take Alondra Blvd East. The college will be on the right just past Studebaker Road.

From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Take I-105 East to I-605 South, exit I-605 at Alondra Blvd, turn left on Alondra Blvd, take Alondra Blvd East.

From John Wayne Airport (Orange County)
Take I-405 North to I-605 North, exit I-605 at Alondra Blvd, turn right on Alondra Blvd, take Alondra Blvd East.

November 3, 2023 – Deadline to submit the Fall 2023 graduation petition to Admissions.

March 22, 2024 – Deadline to submit Spring & Summer 2024 graduation petition to Admissions.

**Want to make sure your name appears in the 2024 program booklet? March 22, 2024 is  the hard deadline for petition submissions if you want your name to appear in the 2024 Commencement Ceremony booklet. Graduates that have submitted their Petition to Graduate after March 22, 2024 WILL NOT appear in the booklet. 

Visit the Admissions Graduate Petition webpage for additional petition information.

For information regarding your records such as grades, petitions, transcripts, please contact Admissions & Records.

If you submitted your Graduate Petition for Fall 2023 or Spring/ Summer 2024, before the deadlines below, your name will appear in the Program Booklet.

• November 3, 2023 – Deadline to submit the Fall 2023 graduation petition to Admissions
• March 22, 2024 – Deadline to submit Spring & Summer 2024 graduation petition to Admissions

Visit the Admissions Graduate Petition webpage for petition information

For more information regarding your records, grades, transcripts, please contact Admissions & Records.

Please note: The Commencement Team is unable to check the status of your petition.

Students who submit their requests after the deadline may still participate in Commencement; however, their names will not be printed in the program booklet.

Programs are free and a copy will given to each participant and each guest present at the ceremony (while supplies last).

The Commencement Team communicates with graduates via emails sent from  commencement@cerritos.edu.

Only graduates who have successfully submitted their graduation petitions to Admissions by the deadlines will be contacted.

If you have filed your petition with Admissions before the March 22, 2024 deadline,  you’ll receive communication from this office in mid-April. After the petition deadline on March 22, Admissions & Records provides us a graduate list (it takes a few weeks for them to process the intake of them all), and once we have the list we’ll start sending regular communication.  

• It is the responsibility of the graduate to make sure that their contact information is up-to-date and accurate with the college so communication is not missed.
• We will only be sending information related to commencement. 
• Keep an eye on your spam/junk folders to make sure you don't miss any Commencement messages.

• Ticket distribution will begin at the Grad Fair on April 23, 2024.
• Graduates may request up to 8 tickets only. Extra tickets not available and cannot be purchased. 
  • A photo ID is required to pick up tickets.
  • We will have enough tickets to distribute to all graduates that have filed a Petition to Graduate by the deadlines.
  •  If you did not submit a petition by the November 3, 2023 or March 22, 2024 deadlines, you will need to wait until your petition is cleared to pick up guest tickets from the Student Activities Office.
  • Please note: the Commencement Team is unable to check the status of your petition.
• Tickets are assigned to seating on either the Home or Visitor side of the stadium.
• Admission to the event is free. Each guest will require a ticket to enter the event.
  • Children 2  years old and under, who will be lap-seating, will not need a ticket.
  • Graduates do not need tickets for themselves.
  • Tickets are free of charge, and cannot be bought or sold.
• Stadium gates will close when/if capacity is reached.
• Seat saving is not permitted. 
• Re-entry is not permitted.

Can't make the Grad Fair to pick up your tickets?

Tickets will be available for graduating students (that have submitted their petition to Admissions), to pick up in the Student Activities Office from April 24 - May 10, 2024.
A photo ID is required for pick up. Tickets cannot be mailed out. Please check for office hours.

Extra Tickets

If extra tickets should become available, the Commencement Team will notify graduates the week of the ceremony. 

Save the date for Grad Fair 2024!

• Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2024
• Time: 10 am-5 pm 
• Location: Student Center 

Visit the official Grad Fair webpage

Official regalia (cap and gown) is required to participate in the ceremony. Sashes are optional and not part of the required regalia.

Purchase your regalia (aka cap & gown)

Graduates can purchase their cap and gown online from Jostens now through April 25 to get cap and gown in time for the ceremony.

Price of Regalia:

• $40.00 (plus tax). Sold as a set that includes a cap, a gown, and a 2024 tassel. For accurate pricing, please visit the Jostens website.
• While sashes are not part of the required regalia, they will be available for purchase from Jostens and in the campus bookstore (note: the bookstore will have a limited supply of 2024 sashes).

How To Prepare Your regalia FOR The Big Day

Commencement regalia must be properly worn at all times of the ceremony:

Gown: Have your gown pressed (cool iron only). Gowns should be zipped up at all times during the ceremony. 

Cap: The cap should be worn straight and pulled down over the forehead. You may need to use bobby pins to keep your cap on. Caps should also be worn at all times during the ceremony, except during the National Anthem (men). The tassel should be draped over the left front quarter of the cap. 

If you are borrowing regalia from a sibling or friend, please make sure it matches the black cap and gowns that are sold at the bookstore.

Commencement Dress Code

Official cap and gown are required to participate in the ceremony.

Wear Proper Footwear. Seriously, wear the proper footwear! 
You will be standing for a period of time and you will be walking on grass and uneven ground.

Spike heels will not be permitted on the field and you will not be allowed onto the field if you are wearing spike heels. For your safety, graduates are strongly urged NOT to wear high heels. Wedge heels and flat shoes are best for the event and highly recommended. 

Decorating Your Cap 

Graduates are allowed to decorate their caps for the ceremony. Please keep in mind that the Cerritos College Standard of Conduct does apply to the graduation ceremony. If your cap violates a standard of conduct, you will be asked to remove your cap.

Cords, Medals, and Sashes

If the graduate earned an honors cord, medal, and/or sash during the time they attended Cerritos College (for example Phi Theta Kappa, UMOJA, and Scholars Honors Program, etc) they are more than welcome to wear those items. Honors graduates may pick up their cord at the Grad Fair. Honors cords are available only while supplies last.

There is a lot of important information we don't want you to miss.
Register to attend one of the two Commencement Info Sessions!

Registration is required!

Zoom Session #1:
Date: Thursday, May 9, 2024
Time: 5-6pm 
Register to attend Session 1

Zoom Session #2:
Date: Friday, May 10, 2024
Time: 12-1pm
Register to attend Session 2

 

Only those graduates who have earned an ASSOCIATES DEGREE with a grade point average of 3.3 or better, and have successfully submitted a petition to graduate to Admissions and Records by the March 22, 2024 deadline, are eligible to receive a honors cord. Honors cords are not available for students earning a certificate.

Honors: Graduates who achieved a cumulative GPA* of 3.3 to 3.69
Highest Honors: Graduates who achieved a cumulative GPA* of 3.7 or higher
         *Honors GPA based on cumulative GPA at the time of the Grad Fair**.

**Honors graduates earning an Associates (AA) degree, may pick up their cord at the Grad Fair.  Honors cords are available while supplies last. Honors GPA based on cumulative GPA at the time of the Grad Fair**

If you cannot pick up the cord at Grad Fair, you may check if they are available at the Student Activities office between April 24 - May 10 during office hours only. Photo ID is required to pick up a cord. Honors cords will not be sold in the Bookstore. **Honors cords are available while supplies last.**

If you have questions regarding the honors and whether or not you are eligible to receive honors cord please contact Admissions and Records. 

Graduates Requesting Accommodations

If you require disability accommodations contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS):
 (562) 860-2451, ext. 2335; (562) 274-7164 (VP); or 
Graduation-Accommodation@cerritos.edu a minimum of two weeks prior to commencement ceremony.

ADA Parking

Graduates and guests with a DMV approved placard may park in parking lot 1, located in front of the stadium.

Sign Language Interpreters

Sign language interpreters will be located on the home side of the stage and guest seating will be available near the stage (on the home side only) for those who need access to view the interpreters. To reserve space in this location please contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS).

Braille Programs

A limited number of programs will be available at the entrance in large print and Braille.

For any other accommodation requests or for additional information regarding accommodations, please contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at (562) 860-2451, ext. 2335; (562) 274-7164 (VP); or Graduation-Accommodation@cerritos.edu 

Visit Josten's Cerritos College website to order the following:

• Class Rings and Jewelry
• Personalized Stoles
• Graduation Announcements
• Affiliation Accessories
  

On Commencement day:

Graduate Arrival

• 4:30 PM - ARRIVE EARLY WITH YOUR REGALIA ON
  • Start to arrive at the Grad Zone at 4:30 PM and no later than 5 PM to line up for the procession. Prepare to be standing.
  • Graduate procession starts promptly at 6 PM.
  • Students who arrive late or without the required regalia will not be allowed inside the ceremony.

•  CHECK- IN
  • Graduates must report to the Grad Zone, the parking area south of the Field House Field. Guests will not be allowed in the Grad Zone area.
  • You will need to check in via the Cerritos College App. Please download the app prior to arriving to the event.
  • Instructions will be explained to all participating graduates in detail upon arrival to the parking area south of the Field House Field.
  • Field House Field Restrooms will be available for graduates.

Dress Code

• Official cap and gown are required for participation and must be worn at all times.
• Selected adornments, such as honor and organizational cords and stoles and flower leis, may be worn with the cap and gown during the ceremony.

Personal Belongings

• DO NOT bring any personal items to the ceremony. Cerritos College will not be responsible for any personal items.

Smoke and Tobacco-Free Campus

Cerritos College is a 100% smoke and tobacco-free campus. Smoking, including the use of cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, snuff, snus, water pipes, pipes, hookahs, chew, electronic cigarettes, vaporized liquids, or other emission-producing products or devices is prohibited.

RE-ENTRY IS NOT PERMITTED during Ceremony

• Re-entry will not be permitted under any circumstance. If you need to exit and
  re-enter the stadium or field, please notify event staff for assistance.

Ceremony Conduct Agreement

By participating in Commencement you agree to observe the following guidelines during the ceremony:

• Be respectful of others and follow directions so everyone can enjoy the ceremony with dignity and honor.
• Graduates should remain in their seats during the entire ceremony, unless utilizing the restrooms.
• Students are required to be in their seats for the address by our commencement speaker. (Restrooms will be closed at this time.)
  Wandering around the floor of the stadium and visiting with guests in the stands during the ceremony is prohibited. You will be asked to leave the ceremony.
• Stay until the end
• Remain seated in your chair unless instructed otherwise, and stay until the ceremony has ended and the platform party has departed the stadium.
  • Graduates are expected to stay during the entire ceremony.
  • Please plan your post-ceremony activities accordingly.
• Unruly, disruptive or offensive behavior is strictly prohibited.
• Graduates who appear intoxicated, under the influence of illegal substances or exhibit any other illicit or belligerent behavior will be escorted out from the campus by law enforcement.

Smoke and Tobacco-Free Campus

Cerritos College is a 100% smoke and tobacco-free campus. Smoking, including the use of cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, snuff, snus, water pipes, pipes, hookahs, chew, electronic cigarettes, vaporized liquids, or other emission-producing products or devices is prohibited.

Grad Images will be available to take graduate portraits after the Graduate Check-In point, on the day of your commencement ceremony.

All graduates will have a photo opportunity as they proceed off stage and back to their seats. On commencement day, you will be asked to complete the form on the back of your name card, and a free color proof will be mailed to you.  Once you have received your proof in the mail you can contact Grad Images at their customer service line at (800) 261-2576. The link for graduates is www.gradimages.com

Certificates and Degrees

Graduates will not receive their diplomas and/or certificates at the Commencement ceremony. They will be mailed to you. You will be notified by the Office of Admissions and Records when your diploma or certificate is available. Please make sure that your mailing information is correct and up-to-date.

Diploma Covers

As a recognition of your accomplishments and participation in the ceremony, graduates who participate in the entire Commencement Ceremony (from start to finish) will be gifted a diploma cover immediately after the ceremony.

• If you do not participate in the Commencement ceremony, or you leave the ceremony early before the ending procession off the field, you will be able to purchase a diploma cover at the Cerritos College Bookstore.

Diplomas Held

Please note that if you have an outstanding obligation to the college, this will prevent Cerritos College from releasing your diploma when it becomes available.

Bags will be searched by campus police. The following will not be permitted in Falcon Stadium:

• strollers/ car seats/ coolers
• large signs/ confetti/ balloons/ air horns or noisemakers/ inflatables/ umbrellas
• alcohol/ drugs
• open/glass containers
• smoking/ vaping
• drones

Please note that Cerritos College is a smoke & tobacco free campus. Smoking is prohibited in all indoor and outdoor facilities on college grounds.

Commencement is a joyous celebration for all and we ask that graduates and guests stay through the entire ceremony. Leaving early not only disrupts the ceremony, but it is distracting to graduating students.

No "Seat-Saving".
Due to limited seating, "seat-saving" will not be permitted. We ask that parties that wish to sit together arrive together.

Please be considerate and respectful of others in attendance. 
Do not block or stand in anyone's view anytime during the ceremony. Please refrain from using profanity.

Do I need to apply to participate in the commencement ceremony?

No. There is no application to participate in the commencement ceremony. 

Is it mandatory to participate in the commencement ceremony?

Participation is not mandatory and is completely up to the graduating student. 

Do I need to attend the grad fair?

No. Attendance is not mandatory.

Can I purchase my regalia (cap and gown) at the grad fair event?

No.  Students will be able to purchase their cap and gowns online via the Bookstore website.

I can't make it to the grad fair, is there another time I can pick up my tickets?

If you cannot attend the Grad Fair to pick up your tickets, you may pick up your guest tickets in the Student Activities office, during office hours, starting April 24  and until May 10th. A Photo ID is required to pick up tickets. Tickets cannot be mailed out.

I can't make it to the grad fair, is there another time I can pick up my honors cord?

Honors cord: If you cannot pick up the cord at Grad Fair, you may check if they are available at the Student Activities office starting April 24  and up until May 10th, during office hours only. Photo ID is needed to pick up a cord.  Please see section above "Honors Cords" for all the details. Cords cannot be mailed out. 

I didn't submit a petition to graduate, can I still pick up guest tickets?

Tickets are distributed to graduates who have submitted a Petition to Graduate to Admissions by the petition deadlines (see above for dates). The Commencement Team will have a list of graduates who have successfully submitted their Petition to Graduate.

I submitted my petition after the deadlines, can I still pick up guest tickets at the grad fair?

 You will need to obtain proof from Admissions indicating you have submitted your Petition to Graduate, to be able to pick up tickets at the Grad Fair or in the Student Activities Office from April 24  and up until May 10th.

A photo ID is required for pick up. Tickets cannot be mailed out. Please check for office hours.

Ceremony live stream

We will have a free live video stream of the event for those who are unable to attend.