Graduation
Graduation Information
Iowa Central’s graduation is held in May for the entire year’s graduates. We graduate students throughout the year as they meet all their degree requirements. Students should consult with their advisor each semester and run a degree audit to monitor their progress toward graduation. Students who have transfer credit should verify that the credit is on the transcript and degree audit.
Students who intend to graduate in a particular semester are to complete the Graduation Declaration when they enroll in courses for that semester. Graduation Declarations are to be completed with an advisor and submitted to the Student Records office in Fort Dodge or to a center office in Storm Lake or Webster City. There is a $25 fee for graduation that is used to defray the cost of gown, diploma and cover, tassel, etc. Every graduate pays the graduation fee for each degree that he/she receives. (remove as there is no longer a grad fee) Total credits, grade point averages, account balances, and financial aid exit interviews are reviewed before degrees are placed on transcripts and diplomas are mailed.
2026 Commencement
Students who have met the requirements for graduation (and declare to graduate) at the end of the 2025 FALL, 2026 SPRING, and 2026 SUMMER semesters are all eligible to attend the Graduation Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 8th. There will be two commencement ceremonies, both on Friday, May 8th in Hodges Fieldhouse. One ceremony will be at 10:00 a.m. CST and the other at 2:00 p.m. CST. Students will be notified by letter and email regarding which ceremony to attend. They will receive this letter and email after the last day to declare to graduate in February, 2026.
The 10:00 a.m. ceremony will include the following
- High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED)
- Certificates
- Diplomas (except nursing)
- Associate of Applied Science (except nursing)
- Associate of Applied Arts
- Associate of Professional Studies
The 2:00 p.m. ceremony will include the following
- Associate of General Studies
- Associate of Science
- Associate of Arts
- Practical Nursing
- Associate Degree Nursing
Streaming Information
Commencement will be streamed live on YouTube here.
Graduation FAQs
- When do I pick up my cap and gown?
- Students can pick up their cap and gown at GradFest in the Student Resource Center on Wednesday, April 15th between 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Also available on Friday, May 8th beginning at 8:30 a.m. for the 10:00 a.m. ceremony and at 12:30 p.m. for the 2:00 p.m. ceremony in the Center for Performing Arts building. Students must pick up their own cap and gown.
- Can I decorate my cap and gown?
- No. All graduates must wear undecorated caps and gowns provided by Iowa Central to walk across the stage. Your tassel should hang from the right side of your cap before you graduate. Graduates may also wear the following: Gold Cord, PTK Stole, Academic All-American Medal, and Red, White and Blue Military cord. Native American tribal regalia and regalia representing country of birth and ethnicity are also welcome.
- Will the commencement be live streamed?
- Yes – the ceremony will be livestreamed for family and friends who are not able to attend in person. You can view the live stream at www.youtube.com/IowaCentralCC
- Are there tickets/assigned
- No – seating is first come first served. Hodges will open one hour before each ceremony (9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.). Seating fills up fast. Overflow seating is available in Decker Auditorium.
- When should graduates arrive?
- Graduates should arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. for the 10:00 a.m. ceremony and no later than 1:30 p.m. for the 2:00 p.m. ceremony to line up behind the Center for Performing Arts.
- Where should I park?
- Parking is available across campus. A shuttle bus will be running for pick up and drop off in lots 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, and the parking ramp before and after the ceremonies.
- What items are prohibited?
- Silly string, confetti, balloons, large banners or flags, signs over 11x17 inches.
- Will I be able to purchase photos?
- Midwest Portraits will take your picture as you cross the stage (and individual picture available between ceremonies if you did not attend/participate at Grad Fest). You will have the option to buy a variety of photo packages. You are under no obligation to buy this photograph. You will receive a link to order by email from Midwest Portraits. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Midwest Portraits at 515-332-8175.
Save the date for our Annual Grad Fest Event!
Grad Fest will take place in the Student Resource Center on Wednesday, April 15th, 2026 from 9am-7pm. This will give students the opportunity to ask any graduation related questions, make payment and talk to various departments if needed. Also, get a jump start if going into the work force by meeting with Career Services!
Students will also have the opportunity to pick up their cap and gown during Grad Fest! This year our Commencement photographer will be set up to take your portrait in your cap and gown so come camera ready!
The following departments will be available to meet with students: Student Records, Business Office, Financial Aid, Career Services, Bookstore, Advising Center, Alumni Services, and the International Student Services Coordinator.
We look forward to having you there!
Contact Us
Iowa Central Student Records Office
Greehey Family Student Success Center
Phone: 515-574-1025 or 800-362-2793 ext. 1025
Email: studentrecords@iowacentral.edu
Fax: 515-576-0826
Office Hours
Monday-Friday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Sarah Ramthun
Assistant Registrar
Email: ramthun_s@iowacentral.edu
Phone: 515-574-1021
or 800-362-2793 ext. 1021
Danielle Carlson
Student Records Secretary
Email: carlson_da@iowacentral.edu
Phone: 515-574-1023
or 800-362-2793 ext. 1023
I wanted to go back to college after working for a couple of years out of high school. I wanted to acquire knowledge to further my career in a job I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
