San Diego Community College District

San Diego Mesa College will hold its 2023 Commencement Ceremony at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 26 on Mesa campus at Merrill Douglas Stadium, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego.

Graduates must register for commencement by May 1, 2023. 

For any questions related to the Commencement Ceremony, please contact the Mesa Evaluations office and Student Affairs.

Mesa Evaluations: mesaevaluations@sdccd.edu | 619-388-2680
Student Affairs: mesastudentaffairs@sdccd.edu | 619-388-2699

Additional Info on Mesa College 2023 Commencement

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GRADUATE SCHEDULE & INFO:

• 10:30 a.m. Graduate check-in begins (have your student User ID# ready) at the Mesa Gymnasium
• 12:30 p.m. Graduate Check-in ends.
• 12:30 p.m. Mandatory graduation rehearsal, lineup, and procession
• 2:00 p.m. Commencement Ceremony begins
• 5:00 p.m. Ceremony concludes (approximately)

GRADUATE PARKING:

• Parking is free.
• Graduates must park in Lot 1 located in front of the I-400 Student Services Building. 

CAP & GOWN REQUIRED:

• Graduates must be in proper academic regalia (cap, gown and tassel) to participate in the ceremony. Please wear your tassel on the right side of your cap until you are instructed to move it to the other side.
• Caps and gowns are available for purchase at the bookstore (online and in person) along with other commencement items. Limited caps and gowns will be available for purchase on the day of the ceremony (see: campus map, Google Maps).
• Discounted Caps and Gowns are available during Grad Fest May 10th & 11th 2023 9:00AM-4:00PM at bookstore.

GUEST SCHEDULE & INFO:

• 1:00 p.m. Stadium will open, and guest seating will begin on a first-come basis (Commencement ushers will be available for guests needing special seating)
• 2:00 p.m. Commencement Ceremony begins
• 5:00 p.m. Ceremony concludes (approximately)

GUEST TICKETS, PARKING, ETC:

• Mesa College Commencement Ceremony is free for everyone but tickets are required for all guests ages three and up.
• Please obtain your guest tickets from your graduate. Guest ticket distribution information available here.
• Guest parking is free. Guests are encouraged to park in PS 100, but may park in most of the lots around the perimeter of campus on Mesa College Circle (see: commencement map (PDF) with parking locations marked). Guests may park in student, staff, or flex parking spaces.
• Guests needing disabled parking will be directed by signs and parking staff.
• Bus Route 44 stops at Armstrong Place and Mesa College Drive.
• Graduation gifts will be available for purchase.

CEREMONY DETAILS:

• The San Diego Community College Police department will be providing a sizable contingency working multi-layered security for the event, including traffic control, and overwatch.
• The event will take place outdoors. There will be no shade provided for graduates or guests. Please dress accordingly.
• For ease of viewing the ceremony, balloons, umbrellas, and pop-up tents are prohibited. All persons entering the stadium are subject to search.
• Graduates should leave floral bouquets, etc. with guests during the ceremony.
• There are no facilities for securing purses, backpacks, and/or other valuables.
• Out of respect for your fellow graduates and their families, please do not leave until the ceremony ends.
• American Sign Language interpreters will be available at the ceremony.
• If you have a disability that requires assistance to participate in the ceremony and you have not already done so, please contact the Student Affairs Office at (619) 388-2699 to make the appropriate arrangements.
• Only diploma covers will be distributed during Commencement. Diplomas will be mailed to you only after all graduation requirements have been verified and all financial holds have been cleared.
• Participation in the commencement ceremony does not guarantee your application for graduation will be approved. You can view your graduation status in the mySDCCD portal under My Academics->View Graduation Status.