Commencement

Commencement Information For Graduates

If you’ve graduated during the 2023-24 academic year, this Commencement celebration is for you! 

Commencement Ceremony

Join us at ShoWare Center in Kent, WA Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 5 p.m. 
For your name to appear in the Commencement Program, RSVP by June 3.

RSVP to Commencement

Students: You need to apply for graduation to receive your degree!

  • Apply to Graduate: Don't forget to complete the Application for Graduation even if you missed the deadline for this quarter. Applying to graduate is required to get your degree or certificate posted on your transcript.
  • Commencement Program: All students who have applied for graduation (Summer 2023 - Summer 2024) and submits a Commencement RSVP by June 3 will appear in the commencement program.
Students

Commencement Checklist

Get Ready!

The checklist will help you be ready for your big day. Start with the RSVP to participate. Don't forget to apply to graduate and get your cap and gown. Then show up on June 13 at 3:30 p.m. at ShoWare Center ready to walk across the stage!

Students

Commencement Day Questions

What to expect during the Ceremony

Graduates should arrive at 3:30 p.m. to check in on June 13. The ceremony varies in time from 2 to 3 hours depending on the number of graduates participating. Commencement has four basic parts: processional, marching and seating, the address, conferral of degrees, and the recessional.

family with graduate

Information for Guests

No tickets required

No tickets but we ask graduates to please RSVP so we know you are coming! Join us at ShoWare Center in Kent. Doors open for guests at 4 p.m. The ceremony will begin at 5:00pm and end at about  7:00pm. Bring flowers or leis but no balloon allowed in ShoWare. See parking, suite rental and security information below.
Information for guests

graduates smiling

Social Media Fun

Share your day

  • Connect with Highline College on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook
  • Use/follow #Highline24 for all things Commencement
  • Share your decorated caps 
  • Share photos and video of Commencement
  • Use #Highline24 and/or tag @HighlineCollege

 

Commencement Checklist

  1. RSVP to Commencement
    • This is required and ensures we will have check-in materials ready for you!
    • For your name to appear in the Commencement Program you must RSVP by June 3.
    • Note: you will be asked to sign into the RSVP form with your Highline username and password (same as Canvas) if you are not already signed in.
  2. Apply to Graduate

    Required: Complete this after you have enrolled in your final quarter classes.  Apply to Graduate.

  3. Get your Cap and Gown (Required)

    In order to participate as a graduate, you need to wear a black cap and gown in the traditional college graduation style. Caps and gowns will need to be planned for in advance, they will not be available for purchase at the event. Caps and gowns can be ordered through the Highline Bookstore.

    • Emergency Funds are available to help students for whom purchasing a cap and gown is a financial burden. Please fill out the request form using your ctcLink student log in.
    • You can also buy or borrow a cap and gown from somewhere else. Reusing/recycling is great, as long as the color of your cap and gown is black.
    • Students graduating with a degree and 3.5 GPA or higher can purchase Honor Cords from the Highline College Bookstore. Grades are measured as of the end of Winter 2024 because Spring grades will not be posted before Commencement.
  4. Pick up your “pre-check” card in the at Grad Fair

    (Recommended). After receiving a confirmation of RSVP from the Highline Graduation team, your name card will be available for pick up at Grad Week. Pick it up to skip the line on the day of the big event!

  5. Join the Highline Alumni Association

    (Recommended) Check out the Alumni Relations page, stay connected to the college and have a source of support for your future educational or career goals!

 

Commencement Details

How to check in as a Graduate on the big day

Option 1: Pre-Check

We are offering graduates a chance to pick up the commencement materials that they would usually get on the day of the event and skip the check in line. If you “pre-check” and hang on to your commencement materials, you can cut your wait time down from an hour to as little as 30 minutes.

Pre-check by following these steps:

  1. RSVP for Commencement.
  2. Visit Grad Week to pick up your check-in materials. After receiving a confirmation of RSVP from the Highline Graduation team, your name card will be available for pick up during Grad Fair. Pick it up to skip the line on the day of the big event!
  3. Hold on to your envelope! It has your name card so the commencement reader can call your name and on the back is your photo card (please fill it out).
  4. Show up on June 13 at 3:30 p.m.. Enter through the north side of ShoWare Center in the loading dock area. If you have your check in items with you, you can head straight into the commencement seating lineup and skip the check in line.

Option 2: Checking in on June 13

  1. RSVP for Commencement.
  2. Show up on June 13 at 3:30 p.m. Enter through the north side of ShoWare Center in the loading dock area for the graduate lineup. There will be tables with letters A-Z. Line up by the first letter of your last name and a volunteer will check you in. Then you will be directed to the commencement seating line.

What to Expect During the Ceremony:

The Commencement Ceremony is a historic tradition that celebrates the transition for a graduate between student and their after-college life. The commencement ceremony varies in time from 2 to 3 hours depending on the number of graduates participating. Out of respect for tradition and for your fellow graduates, plan to stay through the full event.

Commencement has four basic parts:

  1. Processional, Marching and Seating: Graduates who have been checked-in are led by commencement marshals to the seating area. Be sure your tassel is draped over the right front quarter of your cap. Please refrain from talking once you are in the arena. Upon reaching your seat, please remain standing until you are directed to be seated by the Commencement Master of Ceremonies.
  2. The Address: Various speakers including the President of the college, the Chair of the Board of Trustees, a student selected Class Speaker and/or a noted Alumnus of the college will speak.
  3. Conferral of Degrees: After The Address, Highline College’s President will ask all students and faculty to stand for the conferral of degrees. He will then ask that all but the first row of graduates be seated. Graduates in the first row will then be directed to proceed, on signal from the marshals, in a line to the platform stairs. Present your name card to one of the presenters, wait for your name to be announced, proceed across the stage to receive the diploma cover and be directed to exit the platform. Please return to your seat immediately. The remaining rows will follow as directed by the marshals.
  4. The Recessional: During the recessional, the people sitting on the stage will exit the stage first, followed by the faculty. Graduating students will remain standing and leave the seating area in a line when the marshals give the appropriate signal. Graduates will be led to the south exit doors and onto the concourse area outside of ShoWare to meet friends/family.

ShoWare Center has a clear bag policy in place for all events, including graduation ceremonies. Lockers are not available onsite for prohibited items.

Parking at ShoWare is free. You and your guests should park in the parking lot located at ShoWare Center, at the Municipal Court parking garage across the street, or the Kent Park and Ride lot, just West of ShoWare.

Detailed parking information directions are available on the ShoWare Center website. There are many bus lines that serve the area. For more information, visit the Metro King County site.

Please plan to meet your friends/family outside of the ShoWare Center near the main entrance on James Street. Plan for a lot of people doing the same thing, stay in cell phone contact or pick a landmark to meet next to so you don’t lose your loved ones in the crowd.

ShoWare Center recognizes the needs of differently able guests and the arena has been carefully designed to meet the needs of guests with disabilities.

If you have specific concerns, please visit the ShoWare center policy page regarding ADA Access. For guest accessibility services, please contact the ShoWare center. For graduate accessibility services at commencement, please contact Highline College Access Services.

Academic Regalia

Yes, caps and gowns are required to participate in the commencement ceremony and must be purchased or obtained in advance of the ceremony.

Caps and gowns are available for purchase at the Highline Bookstore.

AYes, as long as the color of your cap and gown is black. 

If you are receiving an Associate Degree and your college-level GPA is 3.50 or greater at the end of winter quarter (or your last quarter attended if not attending winter), you will be eligible to wear an honor cord. All academic regalia including honor cords, tassels, caps and gowns, can be purchased at the Highline Bookstore.

At the beginning of the ceremony all participants will wear their tassel on the right side of their cap. Once all students have crossed the stage and had their names read, graduates will be instructed to move their tassels from the right side of their caps to the left.

Graduate Questions

Please leave personal belongings (bags, purses, etc.) with friends or family prior to the ceremony. There is no place to lock or secure personal items during Commencement.

During the ceremony, you will receive a diploma cover. Degrees, diplomas, and certificates are not distributed during the Commencement Ceremony. You must apply to graduate in your final quarter of class requirements in order to receive your degree, certificate or diploma. After applying, you will receive your physical degree, diploma or certificate in the mail once all requirements are completed, your grades have been posted, and all financial obligations to the College (e.g., fines, etc.) have been met. 

Graduation Information 

Yes. We consider the 2024 year graduates to include everyone who graduated starting in Summer 2023 all the way to those who will graduate at the end of Summer 2024. The Summer-to-Summer definition lets you decide if you would rather walk now – because you are almost done – or walk in next June’s commencement when all your class requirements have been met. To make sure your name is included in the 2024 Commencement Program, RSVP to commencement by June 3. Also, be sure to enroll in your final summer classes and apply to graduate before May 24, 2024.

Have Additional Questions?

If you have questions about graduation, email graduation@highline.edu. For questions about commencement, email commencement@highline.edu.