Commencement
Updated: June 15, 2026
Commencement 2026
Way to go, Norco College Mustangs! đ On Friday, June 12, our campus came together to celebrate the incredible hard work, resilience, and success of the Class of 2026. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at the Commencement Ceremony to cheer on our graduates. If you missed the live event or just want to relive the magic, the full Commencement recording is now available below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Commencement takes place on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 6 PM at the Norco College Sports Complex.
Commencement Map
The RTA bus stop will be temporarily rerouted to John F. Kennedy Middle College High School, on Friday, June 12, 2026, due to Commencement (see map below).
Get ready to celebrate! The NC Commencement ceremony is an epic event hosted by the RCCD Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, and the College President. It all kicks off with a grand academic procession at 6:00 PM sharp, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening. Youâll hear inspiring words from college leaders, faculty, and your fellow graduates before the big momentâturning your tassel from right to left, officially marking your transition from student to proud NC graduate and alum. This is your night to shine!
Commencement Itinerary for Graduates:
4:00 PM - Soccer Field Gates Open for Family Members
4:30 PM - Graduates Arrive for Check-In at Amphitheater (Name Cards, Food, Water, Music, Mirrors, and Photo Booth provided)
4:45 PM - Graduates Begin Line-up for Procession
5:30 PM - Last Call for Graduate Line Up for Procession
5:45 PM - Follow Faculty and Staff Members to the Soccer Field
6:00 PM - Commencement Begins
8:30 PM - Estimated Conclusion of Commencement
To participate in this yearâs commencement ceremony, currently enrolled students must apply for graduation by April 1, 2026. Eligible students will be emailed and invited to RSVP in May. Students who have already earned a degree or certificate in Summer 2025, Fall 2025, or Winter 2026 are also eligible to participate in this yearâs ceremony.
After April 1st, students can still apply for graduation by submitting an application for Summer 2026 by May 5th, however, there is no guarantee that your name will be printed in the commencement program.
All eligible students will be emailed and invited to RSVP in May. Please check your personal and/or Norco student email accounts.
Reminder to all students who applied to graduate that the Graduation Bash will be held on May 5, 2026. This is the event where eligible students can purchase regalia for the commencement ceremony.
Meet Your Commencement Speakers
2026 Norco College Faculty Speaker
Dan Reade, M.A.
Dan Reade has served as a professor of English at Norco College for over a decade. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, he attended college on the East Coast before living and working across the United States and abroad, including in Washington, D.C.; Nishinomiya, Japan; Raleigh and Greenville, North Carolina; and Baltimore, Maryland. He moved to Southern California 15 years ago and, while he still considers himself a Northwesterner at heart, is proud to call California home.
Dan holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from North Carolina State University and a Master of Arts in Composition from California State University, San Bernardino. At Norco College, he has taught a wide range of English courses, particularly in literature, where he values the opportunity to engage in thoughtful conversations with students. He finds that the most rewarding part of teaching is exploring texts together and discovering new insights as a learning community.
In addition to his teaching, Dan serves as co-chair of the School of Communication, Humanities, and Languages and as Vice President of the Norco College Academic Senate. In these roles, he supports his colleagues and contributes to the continued growth of Norco College as a vibrant, student-centered institution.
Dan has been married to his wife, Jackie, for over 15 years Together, they enjoy spending time in their community and seeking out new adventures with their son, who is five going on fifteen.
2026 Norco College Student Speaker
Gino George
Associate in Science Degree in Business Administration
Associate in Arts Degree in Social and Behavioral Studies
Associate in Arts Degree in Administration and Information Systems
Gino George is a graduating business student at Norco College. Throughout his time at Norco College, he has maintained a 4 0 GPA, earned Deanâs List recognition every semester, and been inducted into Kappa Beta Delta, an honor society recognizing top business students.
He also served as Co-President of Riverside City College Model United Nations, where he earned multiple honors, including Outstanding Delegate, Distinguished Delegation, and Position Paper awards.
In addition to his academic and leadership involvement, Gino is a musician who uses music as a creative outlet, reflecting his discipline, self-expression, and personal growth.
This fall, he will continue his education at the University of California, Berkeley, where he will attend the Haas School of Business. Gino is passionate about leadership, marketing, diplomacy, and the role of higher education in creating meaningful opportunities for students and communities.
As both a business student and musician, Gino seeks to bridge the worlds of creativity and enterprise by managing his own career as an artist and eventually building an independent music label. His long-term vision is to create an artist-minded, business-led platform that empowers emerging creatives to showcase their talents, share their stories, and access meaningful opportunities. Through this work, he aims to give back to underserved communities by helping open doors for artists whose voices, ideas, and talents can be heard and supported.
Riverside Community College District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations to all District programs and activities.
Need accommodations for the big day? We've got you! Just reach out to the Disability Resource Center at drc@norcocollege.edu or (951) 372-7070 at least five days before the event. If you miss the deadline, weâll do our best to helpâbut the sooner, the better!
ASL Interpreters: ASL interpreters will be available for the duration of the ceremony. They will be viewable on the screens to each side of the stage.
Closed Captioning: Closed Captioning (CC) for the ceremony will be available on the YouTube Livestream only. Return to this webpage at 6pm on the day of Commencement to view the Livestream.
Parking: Limited handicap parking will be available in the upper parking lot adjacent to the Sports Complex. A handicapped drop-off zone will also be available in the same lot.
Seating: For guests with disabilities, there will be limited accessible seating, available on a first come, first served basis. Once you have entered the soccer field, there will be a golf cart available to transport you to the accessible seating area if needed. Golf cart service will only be offered before the ceremony begins.
Wheelchairs/Equipment Unavailable: Wheelchairs and other accessible equipment are not provided by Norco College.
Yes, regalia will be available at the NC Bookstore, and will be available for purchase in-store and online. Please note students are only permitted to wear Norco College related regalia, including academic/program/club related stoles, sashes and cords. Regalia will be sold in-store and online thru June 12, 2026.
Students may purchase instore for quickest service. You may also purchase online and have it shipped to your house. Please include your height and weight when ordering. Gowns are one size fits most; XL caps and gowns also available upon request, while supplies last.
đ Cap & Gown 101: What You Need to Know Before Graduation
As you get ready to walk across that stage, hereâs a quick guide to make sure youâre rocking your cap and gown with confidence.
đ§âđ Where Do I Get My Cap & Gown?
Youâll need to grab your own cap, gown, and tassel to participate in commencement. At Norco College, we keep it classic with a shiny burgundy cap and gown.
Starting May 5, 2026, you can purchase your graduation gear at the Norco College Bookstoreâand yes, itâll be available all the way through the day of commencement. But donât wait 'til the last minute!
đ How Do I Wear This Thing?
- Cap Fit: Your cap (a.k.a. mortarboard) should sit flat and level on your headânot tilted back or to the side. The top should be about one inch above your eyebrows.
- Front vs. Back: Look inside the capâthere should be a label or tag that tells you which side is the front.
- During the Ceremony: Guysâplease remove your cap during the National Anthem. Otherwise, keep it on!
𧄠Gown Care Tips
- Hang it up ASAP:As soon as you get your gown, take it out of the packaging and hang it to help smooth out wrinkles.
- No Dry Cleaning Needed:Skip the washer and dry cleaner. If itâs wrinkled, just use a cool iron or steamer to freshen it up.
đ What to Wear Under Your Commencement Gown
Dress for comfort and the weather! Lightweight, breathable clothing is your best bet.
And when it comes to shoesâcomfort is key. Youâll be walking from Grad Central to the football field and across grass, so save the stilettos for another day.đ Tassel Time
Your tassel starts on the right side of your cap. Once everyone has crossed the stage, your student trustee will guide the group in the official âtassel turnâ from right to leftâitâs a graduation tradition that marks your big moment!
You've worked hard to get here, and now itâs time to celebrate! Make sure you're ready
to go, look sharp, and most importantlyâenjoy every second of your special day!
đ Can I Decorate My Cap?
Yes, students may decorate their caps. Only the flat, top area of the cap may be decorated. Decorations must be flat on the surface of the cap and cannot disrupt anyoneâs view of the ceremony. All caps will be reviewed the day of, and any caps deemed inappropriate by staff will be confiscated. You will need to purchase a new cap to participate in the ceremony.
Below are general guidelines to help you plan your decorations.
Approved Decor:
- Graduation year (no other numbers may be displayed on cap)
- Expressions of gratitude, inspirational quotes, positive messages
- Symbol of branch of military you belong to or may be joining
- Institution you may be attending in the future
- Symbol or message highlighting your major or student organization
- Your home countryâs flag- no political words, statements, or slogans
Not Permitted:
The following will not be permitted, and will result in confiscation of the cap: Words, messages, abbreviations, or pictures that refer to drugs or controlled substances, tobacco, alcohol, weapons, gangs, violence, profanity, threats, political statement, of sexual nature, etc...
Diplomas are distributed by the Office of Admissions and Records. They will be mailed to your permanent address approximately six weeks after degrees are conferred on June 12.
Diploma covers are distributed to students on stage at the in-person Commencement Ceremony.
Share your graduation celebrations and Mustang pride with custom social media frames and backgrounds. Be sure to tag @norcocollege in your posts and use hashtag #NCgrads2026.
Grad Stories
Grad Stories: Natalie Peralta
đ Congratulations Natalie! #NCgrad2026 #MustangPride #NC_Commencement2026
Grad Stories: Gino George
đ Commencement Student Speaker Gino George graduated this commencement! Congratulations Gino! #NCgrad2026 #MustangPride #NC_Commencement2026
Grad Stories: Hussam Mobin
đ ASNC President Hussam Mobin graduated this commencement! Congratulations Hussam! #NCgrad2026 #MustangPride #NC_Commencement2026
Grad Stories: Jared Evangelista
đ Congratulations Jared! #NCgrad2026 #MustangPride #NC_Commencement2026
Commencement Participation Agreement
Students who would like to participate in the Norco College 2026 Commencement Ceremony,
but who missed the Spring 2026 graduation application deadline (April 1, 2026), can
still participate in the ceremony if they are within 9 units of completing their program
of study and have enrolled in the final units for Spring 2026, Summer 2026, or Fall
2026. Submit a request by completing the following steps:
- Complete a graduation application for the Summer 2026 term in MyPortal > Graduation Overview (also under the Academics tab on the lefthand side).
- Complete the Late Commencement Participation Agreement form
- Go to the Bookstore to purchase your graduation regalia and show them your graduation application status page from MyPortal.
The last day to submit a late commencement participation request is 6/11/25 at 4:00pm.
to view the Electronic Commencement Program!
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