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.
Only students who completed Commencement registration by the deadline may participate in the ceremony. All graduates must check in upon arrival, and students who did not register in advance will not be eligible to participate.
Graduates who completed Commencement registration by the deadline will continue to receive important updates through their NOVA email. If you have questions about your registration status, please contact the Commencement team at commencement@nvcc.edu.
Graduates do not need a ticket to participate in Commencement. Each graduate was able to 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. Duplicate tickets will not be accepted.
Guest tickets are free and may be shared with guests or other graduates at no cost. Tickets may not be sold or purchased. Selling or buying Commencement tickets is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and may result in loss of participation and fines.
NOVA is not providing additional guest tickets. EagleBank Arena is at full capacity. Guests without tickets should review the Alternate Viewing Options section below.
Guests without tickets may watch the ceremony from 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 available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Guests attending the Center for the Arts should park in the designated Commencement event lots, not the nearby parking garages. Some garages near the Center for the Arts may require payment. For directions, parking, and accessibility information, view the 2026 NOVA Commencement Map and Guide (PDF).
Guests may also watch the ceremony on their own device using the livestream link.
Purchase cap and gown, stoles, announcements, rings, frames, and other commencement items through Barnes & Noble (Herff Jones).
The final day to order your cap and gown through the Campus Bookstore is May 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Graduates must wear the official NOVA 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 at the check-in area by 9:30 a.m. on Commencement Day fully dressed in cap and gown. There is no rehearsal. Graduates will receive directions throughout the ceremony.
Before arriving, graduates should view or download the 2026 NOVA Commencement Map and Guide (PDF).
Graduates do not need a ticket to participate in Commencement. Graduates should enter through the Lower Level — East Entrance at EagleBank Arena and follow the yellow event signage to the graduate check-in area.
All graduates will go through security screening. Once graduates enter the arena, they may not leave and reenter. Graduates are expected to remain for the full ceremony. EagleBank Arena’s clear bag policy applies to any bags brought by graduates. See the Invited Guests and Venue Policies section below for details.
Please note: Participation in Commencement is not required to receive a diploma or certificate. Graduates will automatically receive their credential in both digital and printed formats at no cost when it is first issued. When a credential is ready, graduates will receive a text message and a message through their NOVA email with instructions for accessing it.
Questions about diplomas and certificates should be directed to the College Records Office (CRO) at asktheCRO@nvcc.edu.
Doors for guests open at 10 a.m. Graduates and guests enter through separate entrances. Guests should enter through the North, West, or South entrances and should not accompany graduates to the graduate check-in area. Please view the 2026 NOVA Commencement Map and Guide (PDF) before arriving. Seating is first-come, first-served. Each guest must present a valid ticket to enter the arena.
All attendees and belongings will go through security screening, including a walk-through metal detector. To help ensure a smooth entry, please arrive early and limit personal items. EagleBank Arena’s clear bag policy applies. See the Clear Bag Policy section below.
Reentry is not permitted once you leave the arena.
NOVA does not have a designated post-ceremony meetup area. Graduates and guests should plan ahead and choose a meeting location outside the arena before arriving.
Children younger than 2 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.
EagleBank Arena encourages guests not to bring a bag to help enhance the contactless experience. If you require a bag for personal belongings, EagleBank Arena’s clear bag policy requires the following:
Small medical and/or parenting bags will be permitted on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to additional security screening.
Before you arrive, view or download the 2026 NOVA Commencement Map and Guide (PDF).
Parking is free and available in the designated Commencement event lots at EagleBank Arena. Guests should plan to arrive early to allow time for traffic and security screening.
Accessible parking and drop-off areas are available near the main entrance for guests with DMV-issued placards or license plates. Please note that some nearby campus parking garages may charge a fee, and NOVA is not responsible for any fees you may incur.
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.