Commencement Day 2023

APPLY TO GRADUATE

All candidates must file an Application for Graduation with the Admissions & Records Office. Candidates will be notified by mail about their graduation status. Students planning to participate in the 2023 Commencement Ceremony must have applied for graduation by Friday, May 5 to ensure that their name is on the commencement program. Students must also register to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. See details in the next section.

Apply for Graduation

VERIFY YOUR NAME

In order to ensure the correct spelling of your name on your diploma and in the Commencement program, you are advised to check the accuracy of your name in your student portal by Friday, May 5.

Visit the Portal

HAVE QUESTIONS?

For specific questions about your graduation application, call the Graduation Evaluator below who is assigned to the letter corresponding to your last name: (909) 274-4415.

A-D: Marjes Jackson

E-K: Veronica Gutierrez

L-M: Becky Wang

N-R: Mariezar Figueroa

S-Z: Jenny Hua

 

DETAILS COMING SOON

More information on event registration

ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS

Students who have applied for graduation through the  Admissions & Records Office for Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Spring 2023 and Summer 2023 are eligible to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. 

Order Caps and Gowns In-Person

CAPS AND GOWN ARE REQUIRED FOR GRADUATES

Details coming soon

Dress Comfortably

CAP AND GOWN REQUIRED
A cap and gown are required for graduates to participate. Cap decorations should not obstruct the view of the people behind you.

COMFORTABLE SHOES
Students should opt for comfortable shoes due to the stadium turf and long length of the program.

 RAIN OR SHINE
The ceremony will take place rain or shine. Consider weather conditions and dress accordingly.

Need Accommodations?

Students and guests who need accommodations (mobility, sign language interpretation, accessible formats etc.) must contact the Accessibility Resource Centers for Students (ACCESS) by emailing access@mtsac.edu or calling (909) 274-4290 NO LATER THAN Friday, June 2, to request accommodations.

Plan for Half Mile Walk

The campus is large and walking distance can be a half mile. Please plan accordingly, wear comfortable shoes, and arrive early. Those with mobility challenges (including the elderly and those with disability placards) can park in Champion Structure (Lot R) and are encouraged to bring their walker or wheelchairs with them.  Mt SAC is not able to provide personal mobility assistance, so please plan to bring someone with you who can assist with mobility needs.

Length of Ceremony

Depending on the number of graduates participating, the ceremony alone can last as much as 4 hours, not including pre-event check in, post-event photographs, walking and leaving the parking lots. Consider eating in advance, bringing water, and making post-event plans late into evening.

Time for Parking and Walking

Due to the large crowd, parking and walking both take more time than you expect. The campus is large and walking distance can be a half mile. Please plan accordingly and arrive early. Those with mobility challenges (including the elderly and those with disability placards) can park in Champion Structure (Lot R) and are encouraged to bring their walker or wheelchairs with them.  Mt SAC is not able to provide personal mobility assistance, so please plan to bring someone with you who can assist with mobility needs.

Rain or Shine

The ceremony will take place rain or shine in the stadium. Consider weather conditions and dress accordingly.

Dress Comfortably

CAP AND GOWN REQUIRED
A cap and gown are required for graduates to participate. Cap decorations should not obstruct the view of the people behind you.

COMFORTABLE SHOES
Students should opt for comfortable shoes due to the stadium turf and long length of the program.

The Commencement Ceremony program will include notations next to graduates’ names who earned academic honors. Academic recognition for commencement purposes is based on cumulative grades for all college course work completed at Mt. SAC and any other college, through the 2023 Winter intersession. Phi Theta Kappa members, Alpha Gamma Sigma permanent members, Honors Program Scholars and students earning academic honors will be recognized.

Those recognized in the booklet will have achieved one or more of the following distinctions:

• Academic Distinction: Cumulative GPA of 4.0 in all college coursework
• Scholastic Honors: Cumulative GPA of 3.90-3.99 in all college coursework
• Honors: Cumulative GPA of 3.75-3.89 in all college coursework
• Alpha Gamma Sigma: state honor society. For more information contact rmartinez298@mtsac.edu
• Phi Theta Kappa: International honor society. For more information contact mkolchakian@mtsac.edu
• Mt. SAC Honors Program Scholar:  Students who complete 15 or more Honors units with a least a cumulative GPA of 3.2. For more information contact honors@mtsac.edu

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: These COVID-19 safety requirements are subject to change based on public health guidelines.

We will follow all public health guidelines. Details on COVID-19 Safety Protocols will be provided at a later time closer to the event, in consultation with public health. At this time, vaccinations and face coverings are not required, but recommended.

Need Accommodations?

Students and guests who need accommodations (mobility, sign language interpretation, accessible formats etc.) must contact the Accessibility Resource Centers for Students (ACCESS) by emailing access@mtsac.edu or calling (909) 274-4290 NO LATER THAN Friday, June 2, to request accommodations.

Plan for Half Mile Walk

The campus is large and walking distance can be a half mile. Please plan accordingly, wear comfortable shoes, and arrive early.

Those with mobility challenges (including the elderly and those with disability placards) can park in Champion Structure (Lot R) and are encouraged to bring their walker or wheelchairs with them.  Mt SAC is not able to provide personal mobility assistance, so please plan to bring someone with you who can assist with mobility needs.

Elderly and Accessible Parking

Champion Structure (Lot R)
Parking opens at TBD.; Gates open at TBD

Those with mobility issues, including the elderly and those with disability placards, can park in the Champion Structure (Lot R), which is closest to the stadium. However, the stadium is large, and guests will need to travel long distances. Those with mobility challenges are encouraged to bring their walkers and wheelchairs with them.  Mt SAC is not able to provide personal mobility assistance, so please plan to bring someone with you who can assist with mobility needs. 

Champion Parking Structure (Lot R) Map

PARKING IS FREE

Plan for Half Mile Walk

The campus is large and walking distance can be a half mile. Please plan accordingly, wear comfortable shoes, and arrive early.

Those with mobility challenges (including the elderly and those with disability placards) can park in Champion Structure (Lot R) and are encouraged to bring their walker or wheelchairs with them.  Mt SAC is not able to provide personal mobility assistance, so please plan to bring someone with you who can assist with mobility needs.

GRADUATES

Park in Lots F and H 
Check in time TBD
Graduates should arrive at the stadium with their caps and gowns.  Parking Lots F and H are designated for graduates and their guests. After the security screening at parking lot F, graduates will need to check in.  Graduates will be directed to the “check-In” booth (south of the track field) once they arrive at the stadium. Final processional instructions will be given to the graduates at the assembly area at the south side of the stadium following check-in.

Parking Lot F Map     Parking Lot H Map

 

NOTE: To access the Gateway Parking Structure (Lot S), drive along Mt. SAC Way and display your Employee Parking Permit.

Plan for Half Mile Walk

The campus is large and walking distance can be half a mile. Please plan accordingly, wear comfortable shoes, and arrive early. Those with mobility challenges (including the elderly and those with disability placards) can park in Champion Structure (Lot R) and are encouraged to bring their walker or wheelchairs with them.  Mt SAC is not able to provide personal mobility assistance, so please plan to bring someone with you who can assist with mobility needs.

FACULTY/STAFF

Gateway Structure (Lot S)
Check in time TBD
Faculty/staff may park at the Gateway Parking Structure (Lot S), adjacent to the stadium. The check-in tent is south of the tennis courts.

Gateway Parking Structure (Lot S) Map

 

PARKING IS FREE

Plan for Half Mile Walk

The campus is large and walking distance can be half a mile. Please plan accordingly, wear comfortable shoes, and arrive early.

Those with mobility challenges (including the elderly and those with disability placards) can park in Champion Structure (Lot R) and are encouraged to bring their walker or wheelchairs with them.  Mt SAC is not able to provide personal mobility assistance, so please plan to bring someone with you who can assist with mobility needs.

GUESTS

Park in Lots F and H
Parking opens at TBD; Gates open at TBD

Guests are asked to use the main entrance via the tunnel from Lot F only.  Guests may park in Lot F and Lot H with students.

At the end of the ceremony, the stadium will remain restricted to only commencement participants.  All participants will exit the venue when prompted.  Participants may meet their families outside the venue in Lot F or Lot H.

Parking Lot F Map     Parking Lot H Map

Mt. San Antonio College is located at 1100 N. Grand Ave. in Walnut. Hilmer Lodge Stadium is near the corner of Temple and Bonita Avenues. Once on campus, refer to the information above to find the correct parking location.

Hilmer Lodge Stadium Map

Entry Inspections

All guests entering the stadium tunnel are subject to a metal-detector screening, visual inspection, and bag inspection conducted by  security personnel. The purpose of the inspection is to detect prohibited items and is for the safety of our guests and our staff.

Prohibited Items

For safety reasons, guests are refused entry  if they are in possession of prohibited items. Illegal items will be confiscated and turned over to the police. If a guest is found inside the venue with a prohibited item, the item will be confiscated and the guest may be ejected from the facility. Prohibited items include:

• Banners and Signs (Only handheld signs and small banners are allowed in the stadium. Graduates and guests may not bring large banners or signs that will obstruct the view of people sitting around them.)
• Noisemaking Devices (i.e. whistles, air horns)
• Weapons of any kind (i.e. pepper spray, tear gas, handcuffs, stun guns)
• Alcohol, smoking and vaping are not permitted. 
• Large balloons or large balloon clusters that can obstruct the view of people sitting around them.

Those who cannot attend the event in person are invited to watch the livestream on Mt. SAC's YouTube page at www.youtube.com/mtsac. 

Watch the live stream on YouTube

MEDIA RELEASE
By attending Commencement, participants and guests grant permission to  Mt. San Antonio College, its employees and agents, to take and use visual/audio images of me. The college owns the images and all rights related to them. The images may be used in any manner or media without notification. All participants waive the right to inspect or approve the images not to be compensated for them. Participants release Mt. SAC, its employees and agents, from any claims, damages or liability in connection with the taking and use of visual/audio images.

The Ceremony can run about 4 hours long.

Throughout the formal portions of the ceremony, students are asked to maintain appropriate decorum befitting the dignity of a college commencement. 

CAP AND GOWN

A cap and gown are required of graduates. Cap decorations should not obstruct the view of the people behind you.

COMFORTABLE SHOES

Students should opt for comfortable shoes due to the stadium turf and long length of the program.

 RAIN OR SHINE

The ceremony will take place rain or shine. Consider weather conditions and dress accordingly.

Guests are permitted to bring food and water with them to the stadium.

Concession stands will be open with drinks and snack items available for sale.

GRAD PHOTOGRAPHY
A professional photographer, GradImages will take photos of graduates during the degree conferral segment of the ceremony. Visit website, www.gradimages.com, and click on Pre-Event Email Registration. Enter your email and up to 6 emails of loved ones who would like to share in your accomplishment by viewing and ordering your photos. If you have any questions, please contact GradImages Customer Service department at (800) 261-2576.

MEDIA RELEASE
By attending Commencement, participants and guests grant permission to  Mt. San Antonio College, its employees and agents, to take and use visual/audio images of me. The college owns the images and all rights related to them. The images may be used in any manner or media without notification. All participants waive the right to inspect or approve the images not to be compensated for them. Participants release Mt. SAC, its employees and agents, from any claims, damages or liability in connection with the taking and use of visual/audio images.

Actual degrees are not issued at the commencement ceremony—only the diploma covers. Grads will receive official diplomas by mail approximately 12 weeks after the ceremony. Verify your mailing address by logging into your Mt. SAC Portal to review your address.

Outstanding Payments: Please note that if you have an outstanding obligation (such as fees or payments you still owe) to the college, we will not be able to release your diploma when it becomes available.

At the end of the ceremony, the stadium will remain restricted to only commencement participants.  All participants will exit the venue when prompted.  Participants may meet their families outside the venue in Lot F, Lot H or Champion Structure (Lot R).

It’s not too late to transfer! Our staff can connect you with university reps, arrange campus tours, and provide other resources to help guide you to your next goal.

     Transfer Services
     (909) 274-6388
    Visit Transfer Services

Ready to tackle the world? Our staff can help you find employment that’s related to your field of study and training, and show you how to effectively use online job search resources.

      Career Services
     (909) 274-4510
     Visit Career Services

If you took out a federal student loan while at Mt. SAC, expect an Exit Loan Counseling packet in the mail with instructions; this is a federal requirement to inform you of repayment options.

Visit Financial Aid

Mt. SAC Alumni Association is FREE to join!

As a member, you’ll receive an ID card and qualify for benefits and services like:

• Alumni Association e-newsletter
• Discount tickets to Performing Arts Center productions and Mt. SAC Foundation events
• Use of the Mt. SAC Library, Media Services Center and Career Placement Services
• Networking, mentoring and share resources with other Alumni

Go online and fill out the membership application at:
https://www.mtsacfoundation.org, or call the Alumni Association Office at: (909) 274-5443.

Join the Alumni Association