Follow the steps below to prepare for and celebrate your graduation from Kirkwood.
Graduation Checklist
✔ 1. Apply for graduation.
You must apply for graduation in order to have your diploma awarded when you complete your studies. Be sure to apply by April 1 to have your name included in the commencement material.
Verify that you have met all graduation requirements
Speak with representatives from Financial Aid and Career Services
The Bookstore will offer standard cap and gown sizes for purchase at the Grad Fair. The first day to purchase these at the Bookstore will be the Grad Fair, but regalia will be available for purchase until Commencement Day. For custom sizes or to have your cap and gown shipped to your home, place your order online at Herff Jones (additional $14.90 shipping fee). The deadline for online orders is April 20, 2025, at 10:59 pm.
✔ 3. Participate in Kirkwood's annual commencement ceremony.
Kirkwood commencement exercises are held once each year in May. Graduates who complete their final program in the Fall 2024, Spring 2025, or Summer 2025 term are invited to attend the May 2025 ceremony. Participation is voluntary.
Order of Events
Music by the Kirkwood Concert Band, directed by Chris Navarrete, Director of Instrumental Music
Platform Guests Processional
Faculty Processional
Student Processional
Performance of Our National Anthem, Kirkwood Concert Band
Welcome, Tracy Pearson, Chair, Kirkwood Board of Trustees
Remarks to the Graduates, Dr. Kristie Fisher, President, Kirkwood Community College
Remarks to the Graduates, Jacki Brucher Moore, President, Kirkwood Faculty Association
Remarks to the Graduates, Lucas Lueth, Kirkwood Men’s Basketball
Recommend Graduation Candidates, Dr. Jennifer Bradley, Vice President, Academic Affairs
Presentation of Graduates for Conferring of Awards, Dr. Catherine Schaff-Stump, Professor, Communication, English & Media & Rachelle Biderman, Assistant Professor, Communication, English & Media
Yes! All students must apply for graduation in order to have their diploma processed. You must apply by Monday, April 1 in order to have your name included in commencement materials. If you apply after that date, you are still welcome to participate in the ceremony but your name will not appear in commencement materials.
If you have applied to graduate for Fall 2024, Spring 2025, or Summer 2025, you will receive your commencement invitation in the mail in mid-April. You will also receive an invitation in your Kirkwood email account. All event information is also available on this webpage.
Yes, Kirkwood will livestream the commencement ceremony. The link to access the livestream will be on homepage as well as www.kirkwood.edu/commencement.
You can purchase your cap & gown from the Cedar Rapids Bookstore, located in Benton Hall, starting at the Grad Fair on Thursday, April 24th. The Grad Fair will be from 9 am - 1 pm.
If you are unable to attend the Grad Fair, graduation regalia will be available in the Bookstore until Friday, May 16th.
Until April 20th at 10:59 pm, you can order your cap & gown online directly from Herff Jones to be delivered to your door (additional $14.90 shipping fee).
Commencement attire is required for the college graduation ceremony. All graduates must wear the caps, gowns, and tassels that Kirkwood makes available for purchase each year in the Cedar Rapids Bookstore. Only cords/stoles/hoods from recognized and pre-approved academic associations are allowed.
Students are permitted to celebrate their achievements by decorating their graduation cap. The following guidelines should be observed. Students who do not adhere to these guidelines may be asked to remove their decorated cap and will be given a replacement cap to wear during the ceremony.
Cap Decorating Guidelines
No items will be allowed to dangle or protrude from the cap; only flat decorations will be permitted.
No lights or devices may be attached.
No inappropriate or profane language will be permitted.
No negative portrayal of the college or student experience.
No. The ceremony is open to the public and attendees do not need to purchase tickets or RSVP.
The doors open at 9 a.m., and you must arrive by 9:15 a.m. at the latest. Please be dressed in your cap and gown when you arrive. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and lasts approximately two hours, depending on the number of graduates.
On the graduation application form, you can indicate whether you or your guests need any special accommodations at the ceremony. You can also email commencement@kirkwood.edu to request accommodations.
Your diploma will be sent to you in the mail 4 – 6 weeks after you complete your final coursework. It will be mailed to the address you provided on your graduation application. If you need to update this address, please edit your graduation application.
Print out your Kirkwood degree audit so your university advisor can help you find courses there that will also complete your Kirkwood degree. If you are planning to attend one of Iowa's three public universities, choose the "Reverse Credit Transfer" option on your university application. Doing this will authorize the university to send us your transcript free of charge.
Yes! Kirkwood's Career Services and Alumni offices have partnered to provide Handshake, a career engagement platform that connects students and alumni to employers who are interested in hiring Kirkwood graduates. You can also contact Career Services for assistance with your job search, resume review, and interview prep.
Questions?
If you have any questions, contact the Registrar's Office: