Graduation

Commencement at our college is a momentous celebration held each May, honoring students who have completed all degree or certificate requirements in the previous fall or current spring semester. Summer candidates may also participate if they are within nine credit hours of completing degree or certifiate requirements and enrolled in the necessary courses. Commencement is the ceremonial milestone where graduates don caps and gowns, hear their names announced, and walk across the stage in front of family, friends, and our college community. Graduation, on the other hand, is the official confirmation that all degree or certificate requirements have been fulfilled, resulting in the awarding of a diploma or certificate.

Steps to Complete the Graduation Application

1. The Online Graduation Application is located in Self Service. Click on Academics, next click on "Apply for Graduation". *If you are unable to complete the online graduation application, please book an appointment with a Student Success Advisor. Guests and Graduates are asked to stay the entire duration of the ceremony.

   • Students enrolled at the Technical Education Center:

     Meet with a Student Success Advisor in-person during the business hours of 7:30 a.m. -3:00 p.m.

     • Renee Gregory, Student Success Advisor 913-288-7882 or rgregory@kckcc.edu.

     • Sara Schelp, Student Success Advisor 913-288-7806 or sreck@kckcc.edu.

     • The Technical Education Center can be reached at 913-288-7800 or tec@kckcc.edu.

   • For more information, please contact the Student Success Center at 913-288-7696 or advising@kckcc.edu. Guests and Graduates are asked to stay the entire duration of the ceremony.
2. Once your graduation application is processed, you will receive an email notification from Graduation@kckcc.edu to pay your graduation fee.
3. Pay the graduation fee through the Business Office in-person or via Self Service.
   • The graduation fee will be added to the student’s KCKCC student account once the graduation application is processed in the Registrar’s Office. Student’s MUST check their personal email address for information. The Business Office can be reached at 913-288-7620 or busnoff@kckcc.edu. Guests and Graduates are asked to stay the entire duration of the ceremony.

Due to the limited amount of time available for our Graduation Team to line up the graduates for the ceremony, it is crucial that you register in GradPak.

Note: Students with a 3.40 or higher cumulative GPA will receive honor cord at check-in before the commencement ceremony. Honors are awarded for completed coursework. All Honors announced at the commencement ceremony are based on the Fall 2025 cumulative GPA.

Graduation Deadlines

To Apply for Graduation

To Participate in the Commencement Ceremony

Graduation Fairs

If you plan to participate in the commencement ceremony, please make sure to attend a graduation fair. During the fair, graduates receive important commencement day details and pick up their name card and honors cord, if merited. To honor every graduate’s achievement, both guests and graduates are asked to remain for the entire duration of the ceremony.

Graduation Fee

As a reminder, a graduation fee is required even if students do not participate in the commencement ceremony. All first-time candidates are assessed a $20 graduation fee, or $8 if this is a succeeding application. To pay the fee go to Self-Service and make a payment under the Student Finance section. Please contact the Business Office at 913-288-7620, busnoff@kckcc.edu, or visit their office at 3260 Upper Jewell on the main campus. You cannot pick up your cap and gown until the graduation fee has been paid.

Cap and Gowns

Cap and gowns will be available starting April 13 through May 20, 2026. Please make sure that you try on your cap and gown before the ceremony. The Graduation Team will not have extra regalia at the ceremony. Guests and Graduates are asked to stay the entire duration of the ceremony.

KCKCC Main Campus Bookstore

Distribution will be during the business hours of Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.The bookstore is located on the lower level of the Jewell Student Center.

Dr. Thomas R. Burke Technical Education Center

Distribution will be during the business hours of Monday - Thursday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pioneer Career Center

Students must visit the front office to order their cap and gown. Orders will be available within two business days for pick-up at the Pioneer Career Center. Please contact 913-288-7750 or pion@kckcc.edu for pick-up confirmation.

Graduation Check-In Day of Ceremony

Due to the limited amount of time available for our Graduation Team to line up graduates for the ceremony, it is crucial that you check in at the Hollywood Casino Gate entrance by 4:30 p.m.

During the check in process, you will receive your graduate name card and be directed to your graduate line. Please arrive with your cap, gown, tassel on and your honor cord if applicable. Please limit your personal items and review the Know Before You Go.

Note: Students with a 3.40 or higher cumulative GPA will receive honor cord at check-in before the commencement ceremony. Honors are awarded for completed coursework. All Honors announced at the commencement ceremony are based on the Fall 2025 cumulative GPA.

Guests and graduates are kindly asked to remain for the full duration of the ceremony to honor every student’s achievement.

Accommodations

Students who need accommodations for graduation should complete the Accommodation for KCKCC Graduation Ceremony form. Accomodation requests need to be submitted no later than May 19, 2026, at 10 p.m.

Employees who need accommodations for graduation should contact KCKCC Human Resources.

Graduates

• Sporting Park is a large venue and the graduation procession is 3/4 mile. Graduates will check-in at the Sporting Park Hollywood Casino Gate entrance.
• If you require a device to navigate long distances, you will need to bring your own device. KCKCC will not provide personal devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc.
• KCKCC will accommodate the graduates to have wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc. with them, but these devices will not be provided by KCKCC or Sporting Park.
• There will be designated seating areas for graduates who require mobility accommodations.
• KCKCC and Sporting Park employees are not permitted to push wheelchairs during the ceremony. If students need assistance with their mobility such as a wheelchair pusher, they will need to make arrangements with Student Accessibility and Support Services prior to the ceremony to allow a family member or guest to push the wheelchair. The Student Accessibility and Support Services team will coordinate seating and ensure that your family member or guest is able to assist you when needed.

Guests

Sporting Park has informed KCKCC that accessibility seating is available for guests.
There is accessible seating on the upper level, which is the entry level of the park. For more
information about accessible seating for guest please visit the Sporting Park website.

• Sporting Park is a large venue and there are long distances to walk. Guests will enter the Sporting Park State Avenue Gate entrance.
• Guests attending the ceremony who need mobility assistance at the facility should contact Sporting Park for information. Visit sportingkc.com/stadium/accessibility/.

Graduation Gift Items and Keepsakes

Graduation gift items and keepsakes will be sold separately in the bookstore such as commemorative tassels, “bling” tassels and keychain tassels, along with graduation announcements in packages. Contact the bookstore directly for pricing information. Guests and Graduates are asked to stay the entire duration of the ceremony.

For questions regarding class rings or personalized announcements please visit Josten’s website at jostens.com.