When: Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 1:00pm
Where: DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester, MA
Commencement Ceremony Schedule
Commencement is scheduled for Thursday May 21, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester, MA. Graduates will enter through door 2. Doors to South Hall will open at 11:30 a.m. Graduates should arrive to South Hall no later than 12:00 p.m.
Upon arrival graduates will pick-up their graduation name card prior to entering South Hall. This is the card that will be used to announce your name as you cross the stage. It is very important to keep the card with you until you hand it to the card scanner on stage.
Graduates will be lined up according to their academic major. Your graduation name card will indicate where to line up in South Hall. When it's time to cross the stage, hand your graduation card to the card scanner. Your name will be announced and shown on the jumbotron as you walk across stage to be congratulated by President Pedraja. Please pause and face the camera for your photo with the President. A second photo will be taken as you exit the ramp. Please return to your seat promptly upon exiting the stage. Graduates should plan to be courteous and stay for the entire event. It is a wonderful day- please remain to applaud your fellow graduates!
The ceremony will be approximately two hours long. Please be aware that food, drink and balloons are not allowed in the DCU Center.
Diplomas
Diplomas are not handed out at the Commencement Ceremony. You will receive a diploma cover at the Commencement Ceremony. Diplomas for May graduates will be mailed to the home address on file by the end of June. Diplomas for August 2026 graduates will be mailed to the home address on file by the end of September.
Please note that all unresolved financial obligations to the College must be resolved before your diploma or an official transcript will be issued.
Graduates and Guests with Disabilities
Graduates and guests who have a disability can request accommodations through Student Accessibility Services by calling 508-854-4471 or emailing SAS@qcc.mass.edu. The ceremony will be ASL interpreted for hearing impaired guests and the best viewing of the ASL interpreter is Section 107.
Please note the DCU Center has ADA seating for wheelchair users. Wheelchairs will not be available on site for this event; please bring your own if one is needed. Students should enter through Doors 1 and 2 for accessibility. If you have any questions or concerns about access, you may reach Kristie Proctor, Director of Disability Services, at kproctor@qcc.mass.edu. The College will try to meet all reasonable requests for services that are communicated to us prior to Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
Photographs
GradImages will take professional photographs as you walk across state to be congratulated by President Pedraja. Please pause and face the camera for your photo with the President. A second photo will be taken as you exit the ramp.
GradImages is proud to support one of the biggest moments in a graduate’s life: walking across the stage and into the next chapter. With over 40 years of experience, GradImages understand the importance of this moment and the desire to preserve these memories for a lifetime. Finding your graduate’s photos after the ceremony is easy. Visit www.gradimages.com to view and purchase custom photo products like prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more.
If have any questions or concerns regarding your photos, please contact GradImages Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net. GradImages has a large team of customer care representatives ready to help graduates and family members with anything they may need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need tickets for my family and friends to attend the Commencement Ceremony?
No, tickets are not required for your guests to attend the Commencement Ceremony, you may invite as many family and friends as you would like! Seating is on a first come, first serve basis.
When is the Commencement Ceremony and how long will it last?
The Commencement Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 21st at 1:00 p.m at the DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester and will last approximately two hours.
It’s the day of the Commencement Ceremony, what do I bring?
It is very important that you remember to bring your cap and gown to the DCU Center. Please ask your guests to hold onto any personal belongings (purse, jackets, etc.) you may have. These items may NOT be left in the Robing Area (South Hall) during the ceremony and graduates will not be allowed to return to South Hall at the completion of the ceremony. QCC and the DCU Center are not responsible for any lost items.