Winter 2021 Commencement

Date

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

* There will be three commencement ceremonies over the course of the day.

Ceremony 1 - 10:00 a.m.
Ceremony 2 - 3:00 p.m.
Ceremony 3 - 6:30 p.m.

Please use your tickets to determine which ceremony you should attend. All ceremonies will take place at the Schlesinger Center.

Registration

Registration has closed. All graduates who have registered on time will need to ensure they have distributed their 2 tickets to their guests. Tickets have unique QR codes and will be scanned upon entry into the venue.

Guests

All participating graduates may bring two guests.

All graduates and guests must adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis and guests will be ushered to available seating. The seating will be at capacity with no opportunity for social distancing. All attendees are required to wear a face covering that covers the mouth and nose at all times while indoors on NOVA campuses, regardless of vaccination status.

Day of Event Information

  • Check your tickets for Ceremony time
  • Park in designated areas.
    • NOVA Police and Parking staff will direct you to designated areas.
    • Handicap accessible parking is available with a visible placard.
    • Shuttles will be available.
    • Campus Map – ceremony takes place in the Schlesinger Center (AS Building)
  • Graduates: Check in 1 hour before your ceremony. There will be a tent outside of the Schlesinger center to direct graduates to their line up area.
  • Guests: Only guests with tickets will be permitted inside. Please have your ticket available via the EventBrite app or printed.
  • Masks/face coverings are required to be worn at all times while indoors.
  • Please try to maintain physical distancing.
  • Keep hands clean and cover coughs and sneezes.
  • Avoid gathering in large groups.
  • Graduates and families are welcome to take personal photographs on campus, as long as they follow COVID-19 protocols. 
During the Ceremony 
  • Physical distancing is unavailable, and seating will be at capacity. Everyone must wear their masks/face coverings at all times.
  • Keep hands clean. Hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout the venue.
  • Do not approach the stage to take photos, present gifts or congratulate graduates.
  • Need assistance? Ask a NOVA volunteer. Look for Commencement volunteers wearing NOVA lanyards if you have questions. Volunteers will be stationed throughout the venue.
  • View the live ceremony at: https://www.nvcc.edu/tvcenter/event.html
  • Photo Specialties will provide professional photography. There will be two photos of each graduate.
After the Ceremony
  • When the ceremony concludes, graduates will be directed back up the steps to the concourse and may exit to the outside through the main doors. 
  • Guests will be dismissed after the graduates have processed out of the venue. You should meet your graduate outside.
  • Graduates will receive an email with a link, within 72 hours of the ceremony, to their photos and can buy prints if they choose.
  • NOVA will offer an on-demand recording of the ceremony to be shared with friends and family.
  • Celebrate your achievement! Tag us on social media!
Free Shuttle to Ceremony
  • Shuttle will run continuously between the Bisdorf circle and the Schlesinger circle. Look for signs at location of pickup. Best estimate between stops is 20 minutes.
  • Shuttle to run from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
  • People are encouraged to park in free upper lots to avoid traffic congestion.
  • People are also able to walk to the Schlesinger Center from upper lot (about a 10 minute walk).

Regalia

Graduation regalia (cap and gown) is mandatory. Caps and gowns, invitations, and class rings can be purchased from the NOVA bookstore.

Location

Schlesinger Center at the Alexandria Campus
Northern Virginia Community College
Alexandria Campus
4915 East Campus Drive
Alexandria, Virginia 22311

Parking Information

Events

Nighthawk Alumni Panel

Hear from a diverse group of NOVA Alum as they share their stories of life beyond NOVA. Bring your questions and get some advice!

Register to Attend

DJ Romin - Grad Dance Party

Your favorite DJ will be spinning live and shouting out graduating student messages!

Register to Attend

Questions

Questions? Please contact us at Commencement@nvcc.edu if you have questions.

DISCLAIMER: Registration to participate in December Commencement is not a record of degrees awarded. Names listed in the December Commencement program are taken from applications for graduation for the summer and fall semester. Registration for graduation does not ensure that graduate names appear in the program and participation in Commencement exercises does not constitute graduation from Northern Virginia Community College.