Congratulations to our Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026 graduates! We invite you and your guests to celebrate your achievement at the 2026 Commencement Ceremony 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? The Commencement Ceremony will be streamed live right here on May 18 at 11:00 a.m. Until then, you can relive the excitement from previous years.
Jonathan “Jack” Ham is an 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.
Commencement registration is required. Graduates must register to participate in Commencement through the Tassel portal (the platform used for Commencement registration and tickets). Completing the graduation application or purchasing regalia does not register you for the ceremony.
Registration in the Tassel portal opens in March 2026 (ticket access opens at the same time). Details and the registration link will be sent to your NOVA email.
Graduates must register to participate in Commencement through the Tassel portal. Completing the graduation application does not automatically register graduates for the ceremony.
Registration and ticket access open in March 2026. Graduates will receive details via their NOVA email.
Each graduate will receive up to four (4) guest tickets, available free through Tassel. Selling or transferring tickets for profit is prohibited.
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.
The Center for the Arts is a short walk from EagleBank Arena; guests may park in the same lots.
For directions and accessibility information, view the George Mason University Accessibility Map (PDF).
Regalia is now available for purchase through Barnes & Noble (Herff Jones).
Order by April 20, 2026, for best prices. The last day to place your order is May 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
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.
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.
Doors open at 10:00 a.m., and seating is first-come, first-served. Each guest must present a valid ticket to enter the arena.
Guests and belongings will go through a security screening, including a walk-through metal detector. To ensure a smooth entry, please arrive early and limit personal items.
Re-entry 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.
EagleBank Arena maintains its own guest and security policies to ensure a safe environment for all visitors. All attendees must follow venue guidelines regarding permitted items, bag sizes, and security procedures.
For full details, visit EagleBank Arena’s Guest Services page.
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’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.
For questions about the Commencement Ceremony, email commencement@nvcc.edu.
For questions about the graduation application, degree requirements, or academic eligibility, email asktheCRO@nvcc.edu.