This May and June, the 10 community colleges in San Diego and Imperial counties are celebrating the return to in-person commencements. Because of public health concerns from the COVID-19 pandemic, community colleges held virtual ceremonies in 2020 and 2021. Many found new ways to celebrate their graduates, with drive-by ceremonies in which the graduates were cheered as they passed by in their vehicles.

Now that restrictions are beginning to ease, graduates will once again be donning gowns and mortarboards and lining up to receive their diplomas at area community colleges.

“We are so proud of all our community college graduates, who have had to navigate a new way of learning during the pandemic,” said Carlos Cortez, chancellor of the San Diego Community College District and chair of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Community College Association. “We’re looking forward to honoring their achievements and sharing in their joy at their accomplishments.”

The first community college commencement ceremony in the region will be held May 20, with ceremonies continuing through June 15. The full schedule is below.

San Diego Miramar College: 10 a.m. May 20, at Compass Point on campus.

San Diego City College: 5 p.m. May 26, Balboa Park Organ Pavilion.

Southwestern College: May 27, DeVore Stadium on campus. Ceremonies being held at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

San Diego Mesa College: 4 p.m. May 27, at the Merrill Douglas Stadium on campus. 

MiraCosta College: 5 p.m. May 27, Athletic Track and Field on campus. 

Palomar College: 5 p.m. May 27, Football Field and Track on campus. 

Cuyamaca College: 5:30 p.m. June 8, on campus at the Samuel M. Ciccati Performing Arts Center on campus. 

Grossmont College: 9:30 a.m. June 9, at Parking Lot 1, facing the Performing & Visual Arts Center on campus.

Imperial Valley College: June 11, on campus, DePaoli Gymnasium. Ceremonies being held at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. 

San Diego College of Continuing Education: 5 p.m. June 15, Balboa Park Organ Pavilion.

Please see the full news release with inspiring graduate stories from across the region:

 https://www.sdccd.edu/about/departments-and-offices/communications-and-public-relations/newscenter/articles/2022/commencements.aspx