Commencement

Graduates do not need a ticket to participate in Commencement. Guests must have tickets, which are accessed through the Tassel portal. Each graduate will receive up to four (4) free guest tickets through Tassel. Selling or transferring tickets for profit is prohibited.

Alternate Viewing Options

Guests without tickets may watch the ceremony via livestream on their own device or at the Center for the Arts on George Mason University’s campus.

Tickets are not required to access the Center for the Arts, and seating is first-come, first-served.

Guests attending the Center for the Arts should park in the Commencement event lots (not the nearby parking garages). Some garages near the Center for the Arts may require payment. For directions and accessibility information, view the George Mason University Accessibility Map (PDF).

Purchase cap and gown, stoles, announcements, rings, frames, and other commencement items through Barnes & Noble (Herff Jones).

Purchase your cap and gown through the Campus Bookstore by April 20, 2026, for the best prices. The last day to place your order is May 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Graduates must wear a cap and gown to participate in Commencement.

Shop Cap & Gown + Commencement Items

Caps, Stoles, and Honor Cords

• Cap decorations: You may decorate your cap, but please avoid anything commercial (e.g., advertisements), political, or offensive out of respect for your fellow graduates and guests.
• Stoles: You may choose to wear a stole, though it’s not required. Stoles can represent academic honors, programs, cultural heritage, or first-generation status.
• Honor cords: NOVA does not include Latin honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude) in Commencement announcements. Students who wish to purchase an honor cord should visit the Campus Bookstore in person once available.

The college reserves the right to ask students or guests to remove or alter decorations deemed inappropriate or in violation of college or arena policies.

Graduates should arrive by 9:30 a.m. on Commencement day and be fully dressed in cap and gown. Graduates do not need a ticket to participate in Commencement.

Please follow event signage for the graduate entrance at the loading dock on the west side of the building. Staff will direct graduates to check-in and the lineup area.

All graduates will go through security screening. Once graduates enter the arena, they may not leave and reenter.

If you bring a bag, the EagleBank Arena clear bag policy applies (see “Invited Guests and Venue Policies” on this page).

A map with graduate arrival and entrance details will be emailed in March.

Doors open at 10:00 a.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. Each guest must present a valid ticket to enter the arena.

All attendees and belongings will go through a security screening, including a walk-through metal detector. To help ensure a smooth entry, please arrive early and limit personal items.

Reentry is not permitted once you leave the arena.

Children under two years old may attend without a ticket but must sit on a parent’s lap.

Accessibility accommodations: For accessible seating and other accommodations, please see the “Accessibility and Accommodations” section on this page.

Venue Policies (Graduates and Guests)
EagleBank Arena encourages guests not to bring a bag to help enhance the contactless experience. If you require a bag for your personal belongings, EagleBank Arena has adopted a clear bag policy and must adhere to the following:

Clear bag:

• Bag must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC with no obscured inside pockets
• Bag must not exceed 12 x 12 x 6 inches
• Bag may be a 1-gallon plastic zip lock style bag

Clutch-style bag or purse:

• Non-clear clutch-style bag or purse must not exceed 5 x 7 inches

Small medical and/or parenting bags will be permitted on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to increased security screening.

For full details, view EagleBank Arena Policies.

Parking will be available in the designated EagleBank Arena General Lots. Guests should plan to arrive early to allow time for traffic and security screening.

Accessible parking and drop-off areas are located near the main entrance for guests with DMV-issued placards or license plates. Please note that campus parking decks may charge a fee.

For detailed maps, directions, and parking information, visit EagleBank Arena – Directions & Parking.

Guests

EagleBank Arena provides accessible seating areas for guests with mobility needs. These spaces accommodate wheelchairs and offer comfortable viewing angles. Please request access from an usher upon arrival.

Communication Access

Real-time closed captioning will be displayed on arena screens, and a sign language interpreter will be present during the ceremony.

Additional Support

For any other accommodations or assistance during the event, please contact EagleBank Arena staff on-site. They will be available throughout the venue to ensure your experience is comfortable and accessible.

Graduates

Graduates who require specific accommodations — such as reserved seating or other services — should submit their request through the Tassel portal during registration.

Commencement Photography by GradImages

NOVA has partnered with GradImages as our official commencement photography vendor. Graduates will be photographed before, during, and after crossing the stage and will receive a secure link after the ceremony to view and purchase their photos.

What Graduates Can Expect

• Professional photos taken before, during, and after crossing the stage
• Direct communication from GradImages with secure access to photo proofs
• A variety of print and digital packages available for purchase
• No obligation to buy

Save 20%: Pre-register with GradImages to receive 20% off your photo order and get notified as soon as your images are ready.

NOVA’s Commencement Ceremony will be photographed, recorded, and livestreamed.
By participating in or attending the event, all graduates and guests grant permission for NOVA and its representatives to capture, reproduce, and distribute images, video, and audio recordings from the ceremony for promotional and educational purposes.

These materials may be used in print, online, and social media communications without further notice or compensation.

Individuals who prefer not to appear in photography or video are encouraged to avoid camera areas.

For questions about photography or video use, contact marketing@nvcc.edu.