Northern New Mexico College 2026 Commencement & Graduation Ceremonies
For Faculty, Staff, Students, Regents, and Guests

You are cordially invited to attend the Spring 2026 Commencement and Graduation Ceremonies, celebrating the achievements of Northern students who have successfully completed their degree requirements. We look forward to your participation in recognizing and honoring our graduates.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Dates, Times, and Locations

1. High School Equivalency (HEP) & Adult Education Graduation

• Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | 5:00 PM | Eagle Gym
• Rehearsal: Tuesday, May 12 | 3:00 PM | Eagle Gym

2. Nurse Pinning Ceremony

• Friday, May 15, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Center for the Arts

• Rehearsal: Wednesday, May 13 | 12:00 PM | Center for the Arts

3. Trades Commencement Ceremony

• Friday, May 15, 2026 | 6:00 PM | Center for the Arts

• Rehearsal: Thursday, May 14 | 1:00 PM | Center for the Arts

4. Main Commencement Ceremonies

• Saturday, May 16, 2026 | Eagle Gym

  • 10:00 AM Ceremony: Arts & Human Sciences, Language & Letters, Nursing, Teacher Education
  • 2:00 PM Ceremony: Biology, Chemistry & Environmental Science, Business Administration, Engineering & Technology, Math & Physical Science
• Rehearsal for both Commencement Ceremonies: Thursday, May 14 | 6:00 PM | Eagle Gym
  
  

Additional Information

• Caps and Gowns: Must be ordered by April 9, 2026 via Jostens:
  https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1055919/Northern-New-Mexico-College/

• Invitations and Announcements: http://www.cbgrad.com
• Photography: GradTeam Photography will capture images as graduates cross and exit the stage. Photos will be made available through your NNMC email account. For questions, contact the Registrar’s Office at (505) 747-2110 or registrar@nnmc.edu.
• Disability Accommodations: Individuals requiring accommodations should contact Brenda Janot at brenda.janot@nnmc.edu as early as possible. Some services, such as ASL interpretation, require advance notice.

INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

• Personal Belongings: Do not bring valuables (e.g., purses, backpacks). Secure storage is not available.
• Arrival Times: Graduates must arrive one hour prior to their ceremony:

• • May 13 | 5:00 PM HEP Ceremony → Arrive by 4:00 PM

  • May 15 | 2:00 PM Nurses Pinning Ceremony → Arrive by 1:00 PM

  • May 15 | 6:00 PM Trades Ceremony → Arrive by 5:00 PM

  • May 16 | 10:00 AM Commencement Ceremony → Arrive by 9:00 AM

  • May 16 | 2:00 PM Commencement Ceremony → Arrive by 1:00 PM

• Processional: Graduates will line up by department and degree. Commencement Marshals will escort students. All participants remain standing through the National Anthem (men remove caps during the anthem).
• Regalia: Wear or bring your cap and gown. Tassels are worn on the right side. A steamer is available in the President’s Office if needed.
• Name Cards: Distributed at check-in. Present your card when approaching the stage. Do not retain your card after your name is announced.
• Ceremony Protocol: Pause briefly for photographs when receiving your diploma cover, then return promptly to your seat.
• Tassel Movement: Upon instruction from the President, move your tassel from the right to the left side.
• Recessional: Graduates will exit following faculty under the direction of Commencement Marshals.
• Post-Ceremony: There is no receiving line. Graduates will exit to the main parking lot to meet guests. Indoor/outdoor photos may be taken after the ceremony concludes.

INFORMATION FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

• Arrival Times:

  • Faculty: 30 minutes prior to each ceremony (in regalia)

  • Staff: 1 hour prior (check-in required for assignments)

• Main Ceremony Arrival Times:

  • May 13 | 5:00 PM HEP Ceremony → Arrive by 4:00 PM

  • May 15 | 2:00 PM Nurses Pinning Ceremony → Arrive by 1:00 PM

  • May 15 | 6:00 PM Trades Ceremony → Arrive by 5:00 PM

  • May 16 | 10:00 AM Commencement Ceremony → Arrive by 9:00 AM

  • May 16 | 2:00 PM Commencement Ceremony → Arrive by 1:00 PM

• Attire:

  • Faculty: Academic regalia

  • Staff (non-regalia): Business casual (unless Facilities staff)

• Parking: Behind the gymnasium; overflow at the JCI Building
• Meals May 16:

  • Breakfast (9:15–9:45 AM): Athletic Offices

  • Lunch (12:00–1:00 PM): Athletic Offices

• Staff Benefit: Staff working commencement will receive one day of administrative leave (to be used by June 30, 2026). Certificate will be provided at check-in.
• Processional: Faculty line up by department and follow Commencement Marshals to seating.
• Opening Ceremony: The ceremony will be opened by Matt Baca, General Counsel. Remain standing through the National Anthem (men remove caps).

• Programs: Distributed to graduates at their seats and to guests upon entry (one per family).
• Recessional: Platform party exits first, followed by faculty and graduates. Guests should meet graduates in the front parking lot.

INFORMATION FOR GUESTS

• Parking lots are located throughout the campus and will accommodate guest parking. There will be shuttles to the Gym from the Center for the Arts, Teacher Education, and Administration parking lots.
• Handicap Parking is available in the front, north, and west sides of the gym. Placards must be displayed when entering the parking lot. For CFA Ceremony, Handicap parking is available on the south side entrance
• Arrival Time: Guests may begin arriving an hour before each ceremony. For the main commencement, guests may arrive at 9:00 AM for the 10:00 AM ceremony, and at 1:00 PM for the 2:00 PM ceremony. The ceremonies will begin promptly at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Late arrivals will need to wait to enter until all faculty and graduates are seated. For the Trades Ceremony, guests may arrive at 5:00 PM
• Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis; no tickets are required. Please follow the Commencement Marshal’s directions to the guest seating areas. Once you are seated, please remain in your seats so the ceremony can proceed without interruption. No guests, family, or friends will be allowed to walk in front of the recessional, processional, or graduates once the ceremony has begun. Security and Commencement Marshals will stop you and direct you. Please do not give gifts to graduates until after the ceremony is completed. This includes while graduates are walking to and from the stage.
• Recessional: Please remain standing and allow the faculty and students to exit the stage area first. Commencement Marshals will direct your exit. Go directly to the main parking lot. Students will join their guests as they are led to the area.
• Photographs: Professional photographers will take pictures of students as they cross and exit the platform. Guests will have many chances to take photographs before and after the ceremony at photo locations. For the safety of the graduates and to allow all guests to view the ceremony, please follow the Commencement Marshals' directions for photographing. We ask that no one block aisles or stay for an extended time near the front of the stage. This year, Northern New Mexico College will offer photo opportunities (backdrops, decorations, etc.) outdoors, weather permitting. Take pictures with your graduates at your leisure. They will be available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Electronic Devices: Please silence your phones, pagers, pads, and other electronic devices.

SAFETY & SECURITY

• We will be fully staffed and monitoring all ceremonies.
• We ask that no backpacks or large bags be brought into the Gym or Center for the Arts.
• All bags will be subject to search at the entrance to all ceremony events. This screening is taking place as a security measure for everyone’s protection.
• RESTRICTED ITEMS include, but are not limited to: knives, glass vases and other glass items, airhorns and large balloon bouquets, firearms, weapons (leatherman, guns, tasers, pepper spray).

 

For more information about Commencement events, please contact the Registrar’s office at registrar@nnmc.edu, (505)747-2115 or (505)747-2138.

Download this Commencement Information PDF here.