Congratulations to our Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026 graduates! We invite you and your guests to celebrate your achievement at NOVA’s 2026 Commencement at EagleBank Arena on the campus of George Mason University.
Below, you’ll find information to help you prepare for Commencement — including details about regalia, parking, accessibility, and the day of the ceremony.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Ceremony: 11:00 a.m.
Doors for the event will open to the public at 10:00 a.m.
EagleBank Arena
George Mason University
4500 Patriot Circle
Fairfax, VA 22030
Can’t attend in person? Commencement will be streamed live right here on May 18 at 11:00 a.m. Previous ceremonies are available to watch below.
Jonathan “Jack” Ham is a NOVA alumnus (Class of 2019) and a fourth-year medical student at the University of Virginia School of Medicine specializing in Internal Medicine. His interest in medicine began after a sports injury, where he experienced the powerful impact a compassionate physician can have on both physical and mental recovery. After earning his GED, Jack enrolled at NOVA in Fall 2016 before transferring to George Mason University, where he completed his B.S. in Biology in 2021. He matriculated to UVA for his M.D. in 2022.
Throughout his journey, Jack has advocated for community college students pursuing medical careers, drawing from his firsthand experience with limited mentorship and support. He has conducted research on biases in the medical school admissions process and has spoken nationally about strengthening community college pathways as a way to diversify the physician workforce, support rural communities, and address the growing primary-care shortage. Jack proudly maintains his identity as a community college graduate and is committed to making the path to medicine more accessible for those who follow.
Registration for the 2026 Commencement ceremony closed on April 3, 2026.
Graduates who registered will continue to receive important updates via their NOVA email. If you have questions about your registration, check your NOVA email or see the contact information at the bottom of the page.
Graduates do not need a ticket to participate in Commencement. Each graduate may claim up to four (4) free guest tickets through Tassel. Guest tickets are sent by the graduate through Tassel and delivered to each guest by email. Graduates may assign and email tickets to their guests at any time up to the day of Commencement.
On the day of Commencement, guests must show their ticket on a mobile device for entry. Each guest must have their own individual ticket, and each ticket may only be scanned once. Duplicates will not be accepted.
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
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).
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:
Clutch-style bag or purse:
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.
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.
Real-time closed captioning will be displayed on arena screens, and a sign language interpreter will be present during the ceremony.
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 who require specific accommodations — such as reserved seating or other services — should submit their request through the Tassel portal during registration.
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.
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 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.
For questions about Commencement, email commencement@nvcc.edu.
For questions about the graduation application, degree requirements, or academic eligibility, email asktheCRO@nvcc.edu.