Mark your calendars, graduates! This year’s Commencement Ceremony is happening on May 8 at the Arizona Financial Theatre in downtown Phoenix. Come celebrate your academic achievement with your friends, family, and Rio Salado community. Read on as we give you more details on what to expect and how to RSVP for this special night. We don’t want you to miss out on receiving the richly deserved honor and recognition you’ve worked so hard to earn.
Where and When
Commencement begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2025. General student check-in begins at 5:45 p.m. (5:15 p.m. check-in for specialty group photos). The lobby will open at 5:30 p.m. and the auditorium at 6:15 p.m. for guests.
Arizona Financial Theatre is on the Northwest corner of 4th Avenue and Washington Street. It is close to a light rail stop on Washington St. and Central. There is a parking garage across the street from the theatre and metered parking along the streets. If you’re going to park in the garage, they may charge an event parking fee so be sure to factor that into your plans for the evening.
If you require accommodations due to a disability please contact the Rio Salado College Disability Resources and Services Office.
Eligibility
Any student who has completed a degree or certificate program since May 1, 2024, or is on track to complete a program by December 2025 is eligible to participate in this year’s Commencement.
Commencement Photography and Media Notice
Commencement is a public event where photos and videos will be taken for event marketing and promotional purposes. By confirming your attendance at Commencement you are also providing your consent to be photographed or filmed while at the event.
Cost and Cap & Gown
There is no fee for attending this year’s Commencement. This is a ticketless event and there is no cost for guests. Students must order their cap and gown regalia from our approved vendor (see our Commencement FAQ page for more information). Please note that cap and gown orders will NOT be available for pickup at the ceremony or the Rio Salado office.
Honors Cords
Graduating with honors? Students eligible for academic honors will receive their honor cords when checking in on the day of Commencement.
Important Deadline
If you want to be included in the program for Commencement, you must apply no later than March 23.
Apply For Commencement
Ready to apply? Fill out this form to secure your spot at Commencement:
Don’t Forget To Apply For Your Degree!
Before you apply for Commencement, make sure that you’ve filled out your form to get your certificate or degree! There is no deadline to apply for your degree or certificate; you could submit your application within a week of finishing your final class.
In order to receive your diploma, you’ll need to verify a few details before filling out your application:
- Pay all debts you may still owe to any of the Maricopa Community Colleges. All debts must be paid in full before your diploma is awarded.
- Verify that all official transcripts from other colleges or universities you may have attended are on file at Rio Salado College.
- Verify that all final grades are posted to your official transcript. All requirements should be completed prior to submitting your application.
- Verify your mailing address. All degrees/certificates are mailed to the current address on file in Rio's Student Information System (SIS) database.
- We recommend that you review your degree progress or What If report and/or meet with an academic advisor prior to applying for your degree or certificate to verify that all requirements have been met.
Submit Application To Receive Your Degree Or Certificate
Article by Austin Brietta