Commencement 2026
Commencement will take place at 5 p.m. on June 18 at ShoWare in Kent
For all graduates of fall quarter 2025, winter quarter 2026, spring quarter 2026, and summer quarter 2026, this Commencement celebration is for you!
The event date is one week after final exams. Traditionally, our ceremony directly follows the completion of finals. Due to venue availability, we will be celebrating one short week later. If you plan to graduate spring quarter 2026, please remember to apply to graduate by May 22, 2026. More information coming soon.
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Start Time: 5 p.m.
Estimated End Time: 7 p.m.
Graduate Check-In: 3:30 p.m.
Doors open to guests: 4 p.m.
Location: ShoWare Center
625 W James St, Kent, WA 98032
Questions? If you have questions about the Commencement ceremony, please email commencement@highline.edu. If you have more general questions about graduating from Highline College, please email graduation@highline.edu or visit this page.
Jump to a Section:
Grad Fair, Wednesday, May 20
Times: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Building 8, Mt. Constance/Mt Olympus
Join us for Grad Fair where you can purchase Commencement regalia, pick up your online cap & gown orders, check in for Commencement, visit a cap decorating station and customize your Commencement cap, be part of a shout-out video, join the Alumni Network, and more.
Commencement Checklist: Get Ready!
Your to-do list for the big day:
- RSVP to Commencement. For your name to appear in the Commencement program, your must RSVP by June 1, 2026.
Note: You will be asked to sign into the RSVP form with your Highline username and password (same as Canvas). Trouble logging in? Learn more about Okta multi-factor authentication. - Apply to Graduate by May 22. (Required – Complete this after you have enrolled in your final quarter classes). Though all are welcome to join in Commencement, for your name to appear in the Commencement program, you must finish your program between Summer 2025 & Summer 2026 and apply to graduate before May 22.
- Get your Cap and Gown (Required). In order to participate as a graduate, you need to wear a black cap and gown in the
traditional college graduation style. Caps and gowns will need to be planned for in
advance, they will not be available for purchase at the event. Caps and gowns can
be ordered through the Highline Bookstore.
Emergency Funds are available to help students for whom purchasing a cap and gown is a financial burden. Please fill out the request form using your ctcLink student log in.
You can also buy or borrow a cap and gown from somewhere, or someone, else. Reusing/recycling is great, as long as the color of your cap and gown is black.
Students graduating with a degree and 3.5 GPA or higher can purchase Honor Cords from the Highline College Bookstore. Grades are measured as of the end of Winter 2026 because Spring grades will not be posted before Commencement. - Join the Highline Alumni Network. Stay connected to the college and have a source of support for your future educational or career goals!
Once you have applied to graduate and RSVP’d to Commencement, all you need to do is show up in your cap and gown on June 18 at ShoWare Center! Grads please arrive by 3:30 p.m.
The Commencement Ceremony
What to Expect During the Ceremony:
The Commencement Ceremony is a historic tradition that celebrates the transition for a graduate between student and their after-college life. The commencement ceremony varies in time from 2 to 3 hours depending on the number of graduates participating. Out of respect for tradition and for your fellow graduates, plan to stay through the full event.
Commencement has four basic parts:
- Processional, Marching and Seating: Graduates who have been checked-in are led by commencement marshals to the seating area. Be sure your tassel is draped over the right front quarter of your cap. Please refrain from talking once you are in the arena. Upon reaching your seat, please remain standing until you are directed to be seated by the Commencement Master of Ceremonies.
- The Address: Various speakers including college leaders, trustees, students and alumni of the
college will speak.
- Conferral of Degrees: After The Address, a representative from Highline’s leadership team will ask all students and faculty to stand for the conferral of degrees. They will then ask that all but the first row of graduates be seated. Graduates in the first row will then be directed to proceed, on signal from the marshals, in a line to the platform stairs or ramps. Present your name card to one of the presenters, wait for your name to be announced, proceed across the stage to receive the diploma cover and be directed to exit the platform. Please return to your seat immediately. The remaining rows will follow as directed by the marshals.
- The Recessional: During the recessional, the people sitting on the stage will exit the stage first, followed by the faculty. Graduating students will remain standing and leave the seating area in a line when the marshals give the appropriate signal. Graduates will be led to the parking lots located on the west side of the venue to meet friends/family.
Information for Guests
Welcome Family and Friends!
The Commencement Ceremony will take place at ShoWare Center, in Kent. Doors for guest seating open at 4 p.m. The ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. and end at 7 p.m. The end time is estimated because it depends on how many graduates attend. No guest tickets are required.
Guest Etiquette
Commencement is a time of celebration and recognition of academic success and is regarded as an important rite of passage for students and their families. We ask that when you attend this respected tradition please plan on staying for the duration of the ceremony.
- Graduate Gifts: Leis and bouquets are permitted. Balloons are not permitted inside the venue.
- Guest Seating: Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. ShowWare Center is an accessible facility (see below for details).
- Box Seating: Paid box seating will be available at an additional cost. See information below.
Rent a Suite for Commencement
Graduates and guests may rent a suite at ShoWare Center for the Commencement ceremony. View this PDF for additional information and pricing. Reservations will be accepted starting May 13 through this reservation form. Email tickets@accessoshowarecenter.com if you have questions.
Security Information
Guests of graduates entering through the main doors of ShoWare Center should review security policies and the list of prohibited items on ShoWare’s website. Please Note: ShoWare Center has a clear bag policy in place far all events, including Commencement.
For graduate check-in, the following items will not be allowed in the ShoWare Center facility:
- Backpacks, multi-compartment bags, duffle bags and purses larger than 4.5″x 6.5″ (Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items)
- Signs or banners larger than 11″ x 17″
- Cans or glass containers
- Outside food and beverage
- Helium balloons
- Laptops, tablets, or portable video game consoles
- Noisemaking devices (i.e. whistles, air horns, cymbals, bugles, drums and horns)
- Camera tripods and monopods (“selfie-sticks”)
- Stickers
- Umbrellas that are too large to fit in your clear bag or under your seat
- Drugs
- Alcohol
- Weapons
Guests with prohibited items will have the option to return their prohibited item(s) back to their vehicle or to dispose of prohibited item(s) in the waste receptacle. Disposed items will not be reimbursed. This policy is not intended to interfere with guests attending with specific medical needs or guests caring for young children. All bags are subject to be searched by event staff and/or security prior to entering ShoWare Center. Please arrive early and be patient as we work to ensure a safe environment.
Parking and Transportation
Parking at ShoWare is free. You and your guests should park in the parking lot located at ShoWare Center, at the Municipal Court parking garage across the street, or the Kent Park and Ride lot, just West of ShoWare.
Detailed parking information directions are available on the ShoWare Center website. There are many bus lines that serve the area. For more information, visit the Metro King County site.
After the Ceremony
Please plan to meet your friends/family outside of the ShoWare Center near the main entrance on James Street. Plan for a lot of people doing the same thing, stay in cell phone contact or pick a landmark to meet next to so you don’t lose your loved ones in the crowd.
Ability Related Accommodations
ShoWare Center recognizes the needs of differently able guests and the arena has been carefully designed to meet the needs of guests with disabilities.
If you have specific concerns, please visit the ShoWare center policy page regarding ADA Access. For guest accessibility services, please contact the ShoWare center. For graduate accessibility services at commencement, please contact Highline College Access Services.
Join the Fun on Social Media
- Connect with Highline College on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. Use/follow #Highline26 for all things Commencement-related.
- Follow along with our Commencement Countdown as we post daily weekly/daily reminders Commencement is almost here!
- Leading up to Commencement, post your decorated caps using #Highline26 and tag @HighlineCollege for a chance to be featured
- Post photos and video of Commencement on social media and use #Highline26 and/or tag @HighlineCollege for a chance to be featured.
Frequently Asked Questions
Academic Regalia
Graduate Questions
Guest Questions
Yes. The Registrar can send a letter to your out-of-country guests for visa purposes. Please fill out the request form and return it to the Registration counter on the lower level of building 6.