When economic times are challenging, communities turn to their local community colleges for opportunity, affordability, and workforce preparation. Across San Diego and Imperial counties, community colleges continue to provide workforce-aligned education and applied degree programs that prepare students for high-demand, livable-wage careers. They also offer the most affordable pathway to higher education at a time when four-year universities continue to increase tuition and fees.

“Our graduates are prepared to enter the workforce immediately or transfer to four-year institutions with a competitive edge,” said Dr. Mark Sanchez, Superintendent/President of Southwestern College and Chair of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association (SDICCCA). “I am proud of how our colleges continue to innovate to ensure students are not just earning an education, they are launching careers.”

Below are the commencement schedules for community colleges in San Diego and Imperial counties in chronological order, including some interesting facts. Note, not all graduates participate in commencement ceremonies.

Imperial Valley College (1,510* graduates) Saturday, June 13, at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the gymnasium. Imperial Valley College continues to strengthen regional workforce development through its Career Services Center, helping students secure employment in renewable energy, automotive technology, electrical trades, and other industries. The college also established internship placements in agriculture, engineering and utilities, business and industry, education and research, and public and health services.

San Diego Miramar College (2,464 graduates) May 15 at 10 a.m. at Miramar College’s Hourglass Field

San Diego City College (1,456 graduates) May 21 at 5 p.m. at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. The inaugural cohort of students will graduate from the Bachelor of Science in Cyber Defense and Analysis program. In the San Diego region, information security analysts earn salaries well into six figures, with top professionals earning more than $200,000 annually.

MiraCosta College (1,933* graduates) Friday, May 22, at 5 p.m. at Frontwave Arena, including a class in which 30% are first-generation college students and the eighth cohort of the biomanufacturing bachelor’s degree program.

Palomar College (2,832 graduates) Friday, May 22 at 5 p.m. at the Palomar College football stadium.  This academic year, 4,735 degrees and certificates will be conferred, an increase of 200 degrees and certificates compared to the previous year.  The ceremony will recognize the 25-26 Valedictorian Terra White, and the 24-25 Distinguished Faculty Award recipient, Dr. Jeffrey Epstein is the commencement speaker. 

San Diego Mesa College (1,958 graduates) May 29 at 2 p.m. at Mesa College’s Merrill Douglas Stadium

Southwestern College (2,963* graduates) May 29 at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Devore Stadium at the Chula Vista campus. The Allied Health programs continue to demonstrate outstanding outcomes. The Nursing program maintains licensure pass rates and job placement rates above 90%. The Medical Laboratory Technician program achieved a 100% pass rate on California licensing exams and 100% employment for graduates. The college’s Paramedic program also reported a 100% employment rate.

San Diego College of Continuing Education (11,122 high school diplomas and vocational program certificates) June 2 at 5 p.m. at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park.

Cuyamaca College (722 graduates) June 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center. Cuyamaca College is awarding approximately 32% more degrees this academic year. Among its graduates is an 87-year-old student who earned a degree in Ornamental Horticulture, one of the college’s premier workforce training programs which is highly regarded for its hands-on, industry-aligned workforce training, that features a $19.4 million state-of-the-art complex with modern greenhouses and labs.

Grossmont College (1,754 graduates) June 4 at 9:30 a.m. at the SDSU Viejas Arena

Outstanding achievements include 616 degree candidates earning honors (min 3.5 overall GPA) and 41 earning a 4.0 GPA. 1,196 Associates Degree for Transfer will be awarded

*Includes Spring candidates who are not conferred.

About SDICCCA 

SDICCCA comprises the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District (Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges), Imperial Valley College, MiraCosta College, Palomar College, the San Diego Community College District (City, Mesa, and Miramar Colleges, and San Diego College of Continuing Education), and Southwestern College. Together, these institutions provide accessible and high-quality education to the diverse communities of San Diego and Imperial Counties.