Class of 2026 Commencement

Graduation Diploma Application

1) Review your Degree Audit (found in the Lion's Den) for accuracy. Should you have any questions regarding your degree audit (incorrect major, outstanding requirements, etc.), please contact your Academic Advisor or the Advising, Counseling and Transfer Services department at ACTS@raritanval.edu.

2) Complete the Graduation Application by clicking on the link.

Without filling out the graduation diploma application, your degree will not be granted. All students must submit a graduation application regardless if you plan to attend the ceremony or not. You need to do this ASAP, the sooner the better. The deadline for spring graduates is April 6, 2026. The deadline for summer graduates is August 3, 2026. However, summer graduates interested in attending the May commencement ceremony must apply by April 11, 2026.

If you fail to apply by the graduation date listed, your degree may not be conferred until the next diploma date. I suggest not waiting until the deadline and completing the process as soon as possible. 
 

Prior to the Ceremony:

Name Pronunciation: If you have concerns about the pronunciation of your name please email Dean Patrice Marks at Academic.affairs@raritanval.edu with subject line “Name Pronunciation” and include in the body of the email your name and a phonetic spelling. Example: Raul Gonzalez: rah-OOL gon-SAH-les  The deadline to submit this request is Friday, May 8, 2026.

Disability Accommodations: If you or your guest require disability related accommodations or arrangements, please contact the Center for Accessibility and Inclusive Education by phone at 908-526-1200 x8534 or by email at caie@raritanval.edu.

Gown, Cap & Tassel: Available at Grad Fest on Tuesday, May 5.  For more information, see Grad Fest below.

Honors: Honors regalia will be given out to graduates at Grad Fest. If you receive a medallion, stole or cord; these are yours to keep. Since spring grades are not yet final, honors have been based on GPA and grades at the end of the fall 2025 semester.  Transcripts will reflect the appropriate honors once grades are final.

Tickets: Graduates will receive four tickets for guests who will have a seat in a general admission guest seating area. Tickets will be distributed at Grad Fest along with your cap and gown.  Additional guests may attend by bringing lawn chairs to a designated area. The entrance gate will open at 9:00 am. No pets or helium balloons are allowed on the Soccer Field. Drones are not permitted on campus.
 

VIDEOS to watch prior to the Ceremony:
     How to wear your cap and gown
     Graduation Day Procedures

The Ceremony:

When: Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 10:00am

Where: RVCC Soccer Field. Click here to see campus map. Graduates should park in Lots 1, 2, 8, and 9 while guests are directed to park in Lot 5.  Cars with passengers with physical disabilities will be allowed to drop off guests at the Arts building across the road from the Soccer Field before parking in Lot 5. The ceremony is a rain or shine event, so please plan accordingly.

Time: The ceremony will begin at 10:00 am. The ceremony will last approximately two hours.  Graduates should arrive by 8:30 am and report to the Gymnasium in the Physical Education Building.  Bring your cap, gown, tassel and hood. 

Graduates will be marching from the Gymnasium to the Soccer field and several times across the field itself. Please wear appropriate shoes.

Photography: A commercial photographer will take pictures of each graduate receiving his/her diploma. The college receives no money from any purchase, and you are under no obligation to purchase the pictures.

Live Streaming: The ceremony will be streamed over the internet and can be accessed by clicking here.

Reception: Following the ceremony, you and your guests are invited to a reception at the Basketball Courts next to the Soccer Field.

Celebrate: On social media celebrate how proud you are of earning your degree by using  #RVCCGrad

After the Ceremony:

Video: After the Commencement is aired at 10am, you will be able to rewatch the event.

Diploma: Graduates will receive notifications from RVCC via their personal and school emails once their diploma has arrived on campus. Graduates will have the option to have their diploma mailed or picked up in person. Those instructions will be sent at a later time.

Transcripts: Graduates wishing to order their official transcript as proof of graduation should confirm that all grades and graduation information is posted by checking their unofficial academic transcript through Lion's Den prior to ordering their transcript.

Transcripts can be ordered through Parchment at Raritanval.edu/transcript. Please note: Official transcripts with degree notation and the graduation date for May 2026 graduates will not be available until May 22, 2026.  Degree notation and the graduation date for August 2026 graduates will not be available until August 24, 2026.

To ensure your official transcript is complete before releasing, select hold for degree. Your transcript will be released only after your degree has officially been awarded and recorded. This is important if you need proof of graduation.

Still have Questions?

Email your inquiries to graduation@raritanval.edu

An event to build excitement for commencement as the semester is drawing to a close.  It is designed to celebrate student achievement and increase momentum as a final push to finish strong.  It is fast becoming a nationwide practice across community colleges and universities to aid students in completing their commencement requirements.  Having everything in one place is a convenience.

In a centralized environment, students will have the opportunity to:

• check graduation status
• receive commencement tickets
• pick up regalia including honor awards
• rsvp for commencement
• meet with Transfer Advisors, Career Success, Alumni representatives, the Book Store, Finance and Financial Aid, to name a few.

The best part is that all of the important tasks and discussions will be taking place while graduates get a chance to reflect and celebrate their success with their fellow classmates while enjoying refreshments, door prizes, giveaways, and photos.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Event Center, 12-4 pm

Questions should be addressed to graduation@raritanval.edu
 

When: Saturday, May 16 at 10 am. The ceremony will last approximately two hours. Gates will open at 9 am.

Where: Raritan Valley Community College Soccer Field, 118 Lamington Road, Branchburg, NJ. Click here to see campus map. Guests will be directed to park in Lot 5. Cars with passengers with physical disabilities will be allowed to drop off guests at the Arts building across the road from the Soccer Field before parking in Lot 5. It is a rain or shine event so plan accordingly. No pets are allowed with the exception of service animals.

Tickets: Graduates will receive four tickets for guests who will have a seat in a general admission guest seating area. Additional guests may attend by bringing lawn chairs to a designated area. The entrance gate will open at 9:00 am. No pets or helium balloons are allowed on the Soccer Field. Drones are not permitted on campus.

Photography: Designated areas will be available for guests to take photographs. In addition, the College has commissioned a professional photographer, Island Photography, to take individual photos of graduates with their diplomas. Graduates are under no obligation to purchase the photographs.

Live Streaming: The ceremony will be streamed over the internet and can be accessed by clicking here.

Reception: Following the ceremony, graduates and their guests are invited to a reception at the Basketball Courts next to the Soccer Field.

Accessibility Helpful Tips:

• We recommend parking in lot 6 as it is the closest one to the field. Here is our campus map to view RVCC Interactive Campus Map
• You can also drop family members off close to the field if needed.
• There will be golf carts to help people with mobility needs to get onto the field. 
• For family members who use a wheelchair or scooter, accessible seating is available at the end of each row of chairs, allowing them to remain comfortably in their own mobility device.
• There will be volunteers around assisting so please tell your family to not hesitate to ask us questions.
• Disability Accommodations: If you or your guest require disability related accommodations or arrangements, please contact the Center for Accessibility and Inclusive Education by email at caie@raritanval.edu

Sam Manongsong
Student Commencement Speaker

Sam Manongsong of Raritan, an Honors College student and Business Administration major, is graduating from the College with honors. He is also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and was selected to participate in the prestigious Sanofi Corporate Mentorship Program. Sam recently participated in the Gold Bond Marketing Scholarship Competition, utilizing his skills in business and marketing.

Sam is actively involved on campus and in the community. He serves as vice president of marketing for the RVCC Business Club and also works on the College newspaper, RVoices, and as a sports photographer. He has been a dedicated member of his church for the past 10 years. 

As a first-generation college student, Sam is driven to keep growing both academically and personally. He plans to continue his education at Rutgers University to pursue a career in supply chain management within the pharmaceutical field.

Dr. Frank Forte
Faculty Speaker

Dr. Frank Forte of Raritan, Associate Professor of Mathematics, has been teaching mathematics for 28 years, the past 11 of them at RVCC. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Drew University and a Master of Science degree in Mathematics from Montclair State University. He recently completed his PhD in Mathematics Education from Montclair, and his dissertation examined the struggles that preservice elementary school teachers face while solving nonroutine math problems. It also focused on ways to help these future teachers improve their math problem-solving skills and become better educators. 
At RVCC, in addition to teaching mathematics courses, Dr. Forte serves as the Faculty Liaison to the Honors College and has worked with the College’s Concurrent Enrollment program for the past few years.

Esmeralda Ochoa
Introduces Faculty Speaker

Esmeralda Ochoa of Flemington, a first-generation college student and Communication Studies major, is graduating from the College with honors.
During her time at RVCC, Esmeralda has taken on strong leadership roles across campus, founding the Business Club and serving as its president, as well as vice president of marketing for the Activities Board. She has been an EOF scholar and mentor throughout her time at RVCC and is also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Esmeralda has completed over 100 hours of volunteer service at the RVCC Resource Center and Food Pantry, and her efforts earned her the President’s Volunteer Service Award – Bronze Award. She is a mentee in the prestigious Sanofi Corporate Mentorship Program and has been awarded the Cento Amici Scholarship, the Zach Bunsa Memorial Scholarship, and the Gold Bond Marketing Scholarship.
Esmeralda plans to transfer to Montclair State University to pursue a degree in Public Relations.
                 

Check back for a link

Graduation-with-honors designations are based on the student’s grade point average (GPA) as follows.

• Summer 2025 and Fall 2025 Graduates – GPA at the end of the Graduation term.
• Spring 2026 and Summer 2026 Graduates – GPA at end of the Fall 2024 Semester

After all final degree audits are reviewed and degrees and certificates are formally posted to students’ RVCC student records the official academic honors will be awarded.

For questions about the names listed in the program email graduation@raritanval.edu

Summer 26 graduates will not receive honor awards until after their degrees are conferred in August.

ACADEMIC AWARD RECIPIENTS
The following graduates of the class of 2025-2026 are being recognized for their outstanding academic achievement.

Check back!