Employee Information

• Academic Regalia

The College wants the Commencement Ceremony to be a joyful, meaningful, and memorable experience for every graduate, employee, and guest. Your thoughtful cooperation helps create an environment where everyone can focus on honoring achievements, sharing pride, and enjoying this milestone together.

To ensure a safe and welcoming day for all, remember that the following items are not permitted on campus:

• Helium balloons

• Drugs or alcohol: The Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention policy prohibits the unlawful distribution, possession or use of a controlled substance, including alcohol, anywhere on campus.
• Weapons on Campus: The Weapons on Campus policy prohibits the possession or carrying of any deadly or offensive weapon by any person in College academic buildings, administrative buildings, dining facilities, off-site locations or while attending any sporting, entertainment or educational event on College property or sponsored by the College.

• Laser pointers

• Fireworks or explosive devices
• Projectiles of any kind

• Smoking: The Clean Air Zone policy prohibits anyone on campus from using cigarettes or any other tobacco containing items, including vaping or e-cigarettes, in specified areas on campus.

• Any other items that may compromise the safety or comfort of guests

Faculty and staff may purchase or rent academic regalia. The order form will be open from February 23 through March 20, 2026 (purchases) or March 30, 2026 (rentals).When participating in the processional, all faculty and staff should wear academic regalia (i.e., caps, gowns, hoods, cords/stoles/medals). Academic regalia should be worn from the institution from which the individual graduated. As part of the College's continued commitment to equity, diversity cords are provided to any employee or graduate participating in the Commencement ceremonies. Diversity cords are available at respective line-ups on ceremony day.

If an employee has a dependent and/or spouse graduating in one of this year’s Commencement ceremonies and would like to present their diploma on stage, please contact [email protected] by April 30. Employees who are presenting diplomas to dependents/spouses must also participate in the Commencement ceremony, which includes walking in academic regalia as a part of the formal procession and sitting in the faculty section.Employees who are also receiving their diplomas at the ceremony will be unable to present a diploma to their dependent/spouse because they are already part of the ceremony as a student graduate.

Montgomery County Community College recognizes teaching excellence and honors its exceptional faculty members each academic year at the College’s Commencement ceremony. Teaching excellence awards recognize full-time and part-time faculty whose teaching is intellectually stimulating, accessible for all students, and demonstrates a commitment to the well-being of students both inside and outside of the classroom.

Learn more about Teaching Excellence Awards