Queensborough's Class of '26 Graduation Ceremony

Queensborough Community College's 65th Annual Commencement Ceremony will take place in-person (rain or shine) on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 10:00 am on the QCC Athletic Field (next to the on-campus Q27 bus stop). The ceremony is for class of 2026 graduates, defined as follows:

• Degree requirements completed by the conclusion of fall 2025; OR
• Degree requirements completed by the conclusion of winter 2026; OR
• Degree requirements anticipated to be completed by the conclusion of spring 2026

Commencement is the formal ceremony where a college/university celebrates the completion/anticipated completion of a student’s academic degree requirements.

Graduation is the official process at which a college/university has confirmed that a student has successfully completed all of their academic degree requirements.

Attending the commencement ceremony DOES NOT guarantee that a student has completed all of their academic degree requirements.

Yes, the ceremony will be livestreamed at www.qcc.cuny.edu/commencement on the morning of the ceremony at 10:00 am EST via YouTube.

Yes, all graduates in attendance at the ceremony will have their name called as they walk across the stage.

There is no rehearsal for the ceremony.

To be eligible for the distinction of Class of 2026 Valedictorian or Salutatorian, a student must meet the eligibility criteria outlined below:

• Possess a cumulative GPA of 3.9 or higher
• Completed at least 45 credits by the time of outreach
• Be a matriculated (degree seeking) student
• Be a Class of 2026 Graduation Candidate (defined as a student who will complete their degree requirements by the conclusion of the fall 2025, winter 2026, or spring 2026 semester).

Students who meet the above-mentioned criteria will be contacted by the QCC Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs informing them of such and inviting them to submit the following documents for consideration of the distinction:

• Essay/speech of no more than 1,000 words detailing their QCC experience - how has it shaped them, what opportunities has it provided, and how it will help them advance their future.
• Copy of their resume outlining the extent of their involvement at QCC (leadership positions, athletics and/or club involvement, research opportunities, and any volunteer and/or work positions.
• Students eligible for the distinction will be required to recite their essay to a panel comprised of QCC staff for their consideration.

Dr. Brian Mitra, QCC Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, will host a Zoom webinar for students eligible for either distinction to answer any questions they may have.

All graduates participating in the ceremony must arrive between 8:00 – 9:30 am in front of the Science Building for Graduate Check-In (be sure to bring your cell phone with you). Your guests can go directly to the Athletic Field to find a seat for the ceremony.

The ceremony will last approximately two (2) hours.

Graduates are invited to decorate their cap & gown but, please keep in mind that it cannot display offensive/obscene languages or imagery. Caps & gowns that do not follow this policy will not be permitted at the ceremony and the graduate(s) found in violation will be asked to either remove the decorations or change into an undecorated cap & gown provided by the college if they wish to participate in the ceremony.

Failure to comply with this policy will result in the graduate(s) and their guest(s) being asked to leave the ceremony altogether.

No, graduates will receive a diploma cover at the ceremony. The diploma cover will contain a document insert with instructions on how you will receive your diploma.

Graduates will receive their digital diploma within 3-4 months of their graduation conferral date from Parchment Services to their CUNYfirst preferred email address. 3-4 weeks after, a physical diploma will be mailed via USPS to your CUNYfirst home address. Please make sure your name, preferred email address, and home address are accurate/up-to-date in CUNYfirst so, you can receive your diploma in timely fashion.

No, the Office of Graduation Audit will identify students who have met or are anticipated to meet the requirements for graduation and apply on their behalf.

If you have questions about your candidacy for graduation, contact the Office of Graduation Audit via email at GradAudit@qcc.cuny.edu or visit the Office of the Registrar in the Administration Building - Room 104.

Click HERE to for instructions on how to check your graduation status in CUNYfirst.

Class of 2026 graduates will receive a commencement ceremony invitation to the CUNY email address listed on their Navigate360 account. The invitation will contain a hyperlink to RSVP for the ceremony via Eventbrite and a separate hyperlink to order a cap & gown set.

Graduates will also receive a postcard in the mail via USPS to their CUNYfirst home address inviting them to participate in the ceremony.

The cap & gown set costs $51.92 ($35.70 for cap & gown set + $14.90 shipping + $1.32 tax) and can be ordered online at https://colleges.herffjones.com/college/queensborough/ now through the deadline of Monday, May 4.

• The cap & gown set includes a Black Cap & Gown, Royal Blue & White Tassel with a Gold 2026 Charm, and Black Hood with a White & Royal Blue Stripe.
• Cap & gown set orders placed between Tuesday, May 4 through Friday, May 15 will incur increased shipping costs.
• If you are an ASAP student, you may be eligible to receive a complimentary cap & gown set. The ASAP Program will reach out with additional information on how to reserve one.

Yes, all graduates must purchase and wear a cap & gown set if they plan to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Click HERE to track your order and be sure to have your internet reference number available (this number can be found in your order confirmation email) or call customer service at 1-800-837-4235.

Send an email to Commencement@qcc.cuny.edu and include your full name and 8-digit EMPL ID number. We will confer with the Office of Graduation Audit to verify your candidacy for graduation. If you are a graduation candidate, we will send you an invitation for the ceremony to the CUNY student email address listed on your Navigate360 account.

Students planning to complete their degree requirements during the summer 2026 semester are considered a class of 2027 graduate and will be invited to participate in the 2027 commencement ceremony (your degree will still be conferred upon you in 2026).

If you would like to request permission to participate in the May 29 ceremony, you must complete the Summer 2026 Graduation Candidate Ceremony Participation Form (available beginning Monday, March 23) by the deadline of Friday, May 8.

If your request is approved, you will be allowed to RSVP for the ceremony and order your cap & gown set online with the following understanding:

• your name will not be included in this year’s ceremony program (this will not stop you from having your name called at the ceremony as you walk across the stage); AND
• you can only attend the 2026 ceremony, as opposed to both the 2026 and 2027 ceremony, regardless of whether you complete your degree requirements during the summer 2026 semester.

Send an email to Commencement@qcc.cuny.edu. In your email, be sure to include your full name, 8-digit student ID# so we can identify you as a QCC student, and a detailed description of your inquiry. Your email will be responded to in the order that it is received.

You can contact the International Student Center at ISC@qcc.cuny.edu or visit their office on the fourth floor of the Library Building in Room 431 to request this letter.