Commencement Ceremony

SWC Commencement Ceremony 2023

The 62nd Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 26, 2023 at the DeVore Stadium.

10:00AM Ceremony

  • School of Business & Technology
  • School of Wellness, Exercise Science, & Athletics
  • Major/Program/Degree from HEC Otay Mesa
  • Major/Program/Degree from HEC National City
  • Major/Program/Degree from HEC San Ysidro

4:00PM Ceremony

  • School of Mathematics, Science, & Engineering
  • School of Language, Literature, & Humanities
  • School of Arts, Communication, & Social Science

Three Steps to Participate in the Ceremony

  • Student must PETITION to graduate through the Evaluations website, www.swccd.edu/evaluations
  • Student must REGISTER to participate in the ceremony. Registration starts March 15, 2023 to April 15, 2023. Students eligible to participate will receive an email invite to attend the ceremony.  
  • Student must ATTEND Gradfest. Student can pick from any of these Gradfest dates below.
GRADFEST Dates & Times
Dates Location Time
April 18 – Tue          HEC San Ysidro            10am - 2pm        
April 19 – Wed   HEC National City  10am - 2pm 
May 3 - Wed HEC Otay Mesa   11:30am - 1:30pm  
April 25, 26, 27* – Tue, Wed, Thurs  Chula Vista Campus Bookstore 10am - 6pm

*A Professional photographer will be available at the Chula Vista Campus Bookstore to take professional photos of you, and/or with your friends.  No sitting fees. The bookstore will also be selling commencement items such as stoles, announcements, diploma/picture frames, and unique gifts. 

Starting May 1, 2023, students can check out the ASO Cap & Gown Lending Program. Eligible students with financial need must fill out this form.  Upon verification of eligibility, student will be emailed as to when Cap & Gown are ready for pick up from the Office of Student Activities, Rm. 62A-114. 

Commencement Q&A Sessions

For any COMMENCEMENT related questions, please attend one of the Commencement Q&A sessions via Zoom ID No. 6464123131:

Commencement Q&A Sessions
Date Time
February 22 12pm - 1pm
March 7 5pm - 6pm
March 23 12pm - 1pm
April 6 12pm - 1pm
April 17 5pm - 6pm
May 1, 8, 15 12pm-1pm

For more information, please check out these Commencement 2023 flyers.
For any Commencement Ceremony related questions, please contact Jenny Davis, jdavis5@swccd.edu.

For any Degree or Diploma related questions, please contact the Evaluations Office, evaluations@swccd.edu 

Affinity Group Graduation Information

Binational/Fronterizo Commencement Ceremony in Tijuana

For the first time this year, Southwestern College is pleased to celebrate our class of 2023 with a ceremony in Tijuana, Mexico, at Preparatoria Federal Lazaro Cardenas (PFLC). 

  • Eligibility: If you are eligible to participate in the Commencement Ceremony at the Chula Vista Campus, you can also participate in the Ceremony in Tijuana. 
  • Location: Preparatoria Federal Lazaro Cardenas
  • Date: June 15, 2023
  • Time: 3:00 PM
  • Guests: Participating students will receive a link to the online reservation system to secure tickets. Students may reserve tickets for as many guests as they wish. 
  • Transportation: All students and their guests are responsible for their own transportation, to and from Preparatoria Federal Lazaro
    Cardenas (PFLC). SWC will not provide transportation.
  • Parking: Each student will receive 1-2 parking passes for PFLC Parking Lot. Public and street parking will be available in the surrounding areas.
  • Can I attend the event in Tijuana only? No, we recommend attending both graduation ceremonies (Chula Vista and Tijuana). 
  • Cap and Gown: Students will use the same cap and gown at the Chula Vista and Tijuana ceremonies.
  • Diploma Presenters: SWC President and Governing Board members will be there to present your diploma to you.
  • Is the ceremony open to the public? Yes, SWC students and other guests may attend.

For questions about the Binational/Fronterizo Commencement Ceremony in Tijuana, please contact Joel Pilco, jpilco@swccd.edu

Commencement Program

2023 Graduation Program (PDF)

Past Commencement Ceremonies