Commencement

image of students at commencement

Spring 2025 Commencement

Date & Times

Monday, May 12, 2025

Ceremony: 11:00 a.m.
Graduate Arrival: 9:30 a.m.
Doors Open to the Public: 10:00 a.m.

Location

EagleBank Arena
George Mason University
4500 Patriot Circle
Fairfax, VA 22030

Livestream

If you can't attend the Commencement ceremony, don't worry! You can still be part of the excitement by tuning in to the livestream.

Watch Livestream

Guest Speaker

Headshot of Hannah WilliamsHannah Williams is a social activist and entrepreneur tackling a major issue: salary transparency. After realizing she was being significantly underpaid as a data analyst, Hannah founded Salary Transparent Street, a video series where she interviews strangers about their jobs and their pay. Her goal for the series was to help workers learn and earn more, and that happened — on a big scale! In fact, Hannah now has 3 million followers on social media, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Hannah has testified in support of pay transparency bills in Virginia, Maryland and D.C., and her work has been featured by major media organizations including The Washington Post, TIME and BBC News. She was named a  Money.com Changemaker in 2023, and she made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2024. After graduating from NOVA in 2017 with an A.S. in business administration, Hannah transferred to Georgetown University where she earned her bachelor's degree in management. While at NOVA, Hannah was an active student leader, an Honors Program student and an Annandale Campus student ambassador.

Graduates

Congratulations to our Summer 2024, Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 graduates! We invite you, along with your family and friends, to attend our 2025 Commencement Ceremony on the campus of George Mason University. Below, you'll find important information about the Commencement Ceremony.

RSVP through Tassel - Coming Soon!

Please follow the login instructions emailed to you by your ceremony coordinator to access your school-specific Tassel login portal.

If you need additional support, please contact commencement@nvcc.edu.

Graduation regalia (cap and gown) is mandatory for attending commencement. Purchase them along with invitations and class rings before April 12 from Barnes and Noble (Herff Jones) using the link below.

Purchase Regalia

NOVA is excited to offer graduating students the opportunity to have Cap & Gown portraits taken. Photo Specialties will be on three NOVA campuses this spring to capture these professional images. While no deposit or obligation is required for your photo session, you and your family will have the chance to purchase posed formal graduation pictures from Photo Specialties, starting at just $12.95.

Schedule of On-Campus Graduation Photo Sessions
Date Campus Location Time Registration Link
Tuesday, March 25 Loudoun LW Theater 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM Register for Loudoun Campus Photo Session
Wednesday, March 26 Annandale CF Lounge 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM Register for Annandale Campus Photo Session
Thursday, March 27 Woodbridge WAS Cafe 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Register for Woodbridge Campus Photo Session

Please choose the campus and date that best fits your schedule, and click the corresponding registration link to reserve your spot.

  • Appointments are required.
  • Please bring your cap & gown. If you don't have one, NOVA can provide it, though sizes may vary.

  • Each graduate can bring up to 4 guests to the commencement ceremony.
  • Access to tickets can be found within the Tassel portal.
  • Tickets are required for all guests two years or older to enter the EagleBank Arena for Commencement.
  • Children under 2 (lap-seating) accompanying a ticket-holding adult do not require a ticket.

Arrival: Graduates should arrive at the arena at 9:30 a.m. Please follow the postage signage for parking and where to assemble.

Doors to the EagleBank Arena will open to the public at 10:00 a.m.

What to Bring: We kindly ask all graduates to attend in their complete regalia and refrain from bringing personal items (purses, keys, jackets, sunglasses). We suggest graduates leave their items with guests.

If you require a bag for your personal items, please note that the EagleBank Arena has a clear bag policy. The bag must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC with no obscured inside pockets and should not exceed the dimensions of 12”x12”x6”.

Overview of Commencement: The commencement proceedings will begin with a processional, official welcome and an address delivered by a guest speaker. Subsequently, graduates will walk across the stage, and there will be an opportunity for an official photo. Dr. Kress will deliver the closing remarks, and the ceremony will conclude with a recessional.

Duration: 2.5–3 hours

ASL interpretation and live captioning services will be available at Commencement. If you need additional accommodations, please specify your needs by sending an email to accommodations@nvcc.edu.

For the safety of our patrons, everyone must pass through a security checkpoint before entering the arena. You may be subject to a physical search prior to entry, as there are a variety of items which are not allowed inside the arena.

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:

  • Weapons (guns, knives, pepper spray, etc.)
  • Outside food or beverages
  • Bottles, cans, containers and coolers
  • Balloons, silly string, noisemaking devices
  • Non-service animals

For more information, visit the Eagle Bank Arena website.

The NOVA Educational Foundation will award up to five $1,000 student success scholarships at each exercise. You must be present to receive the award. For students transferring, the scholarship will go directly to that college or university. If you’re selected as a non-transfer student, The Foundation will instead contribute to an approved job-related expense.

Family & Guests

Commencement is an opportunity to celebrate what's possible with hard work, determination and the support of family, friends and classmates.

Please follow the posted signage for NOVA commencement parking. Parking is free for the ceremony.

EagleBank Arena: Directions & Parking

Photo Specialties will be taking photographs of each graduate during the commencement ceremonies. Communication regarding proofs and how to purchase prints will come directly from Photo Specialties and be sent to students via the email they registered for commencement with. For any follow-up questions or concerns, please contact Photo Specialties through the form below.

Contact Photo Specialties

Flowers will be available to purchase on the concourse level of the arena.