Graduation Information

Thursday, June 18 | 11 AM
MCCE

Thursday, July 23 | 10 AM
Florence Simmons Performance Hall

Do I need to apply to graduate?

Yes! Students intending to graduate in Spring/Summer 2026 must apply to graduate. Login to self-service to submit your application no later than March 2, 2026. 

Are guests allowed?

Yes! Guests are welcome to attend and celebrate your success! All our ceremonies have a limit of 4 guests per graduate, but you can request additional tickets when you submit your Application to Graduate. Requests for extra tickets go on a waiting list and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests must have their ticket to enter the graduation venue. 

How do my guests get their tickets?

Graduation tickets will be available for pickup at your campus beginning in March 2026. Details on where to pick up your tickets will be sent to your Holland College email.

Will there be a place for my guests to purchase flowers?

Yes! The Commencement Group will be on site selling their bouquets prior to and after all graduation ceremonies in May. Purchases can also be made online to pick up prior to the ceremony. Please note that this service is not offered for our June and July graduations.  

The name on my application to graduate is incorrect. Can I change it?

When you log in to apply to graduate you will see the legal name that you submitted on your program application when you first applied to Holland College. If this is incorrect for legal reasons, such as if you married and legally changed your last name, you must submit this form and legal documentation showing the name change to Tara MacCallum, Room 220, Montgomery Hall or by email to tmaccallum@hollandcollege.com.

You cannot change the name on the Application to Graduate if it is different because of a personal preference. For example, if your legal name is Jane Doe but you go by Sarah Doe, your diploma must be issued with your legal name, Jane Doe. You can add Sarah Doe to the “Preferred name announced at graduation” section of the application to graduate if you would like to.

How do I know if I am eligible to graduate?

Login to your Self-Service account and run your program evaluation. This will confirm whether you have met all your program’s graduation requirements.

I have a financial hold on my account, can I still graduate?

No. If you have an outstanding balance on your account, you cannot attend graduation, obtain final transcripts or obtain a copy of your diploma.

If I do not attend graduation, how do I get my diploma?

If you have earned a credential but do not attend your in-person graduation, we will mail your diploma to you. Make sure your address is up to date in Self-Service.

I have family traveling internationally to attend my graduation. Does the college provide an invitation letter to support their visa application? 

Yes! Students who have family travelling to Canada to attend a graduation ceremony can request a letter to support their visa application . Please note that receiving this letter does not guarantee your family’s admission into Canada, it is a confirmation that you are expected to graduate on a specific date in Canada. 

HOW LONG IS THE GRADUATION CEREMONY?

Our graduation ceremonies typically do not exceed an hour and fifteen minutes. To ensure your guests do not miss you walking across the stage, please encourage them to arrive at the time listed on their invitation.

IS THE GRADUATION VENUE ACCESSIBLE?

Charlottetown Ceremonies: The McMillan Centre for Community Engagement and Florence Simmons Performance Hall are both accessible. The MCCE has a full ramp with accessibility to the gym floor seating area. The FSPH is fully accessible with space for wheelchair seating at the top of the tiered seating. If our staff are made aware of an accessibility requirement in advance, we can arrange for seating to be available at the front of the theatre. You can request accessibility accommodations for yourself or a guest when you complete your Application to Graduate

Summerside Ceremonies: The Harbourfront Theatre is fully wheelchair accessible, with availability in Row T in the Centre, North and South seating sections. You can request accessibility accommodations for yourself or a guest when you complete your Application to Graduate

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE AND WHERE SHOULD I GO?

McMillan Centre for Community Engagement (MCCE) Ceremonies: Please arrive at the Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) no earlier than one hour before your ceremony start time to congregate with your class. You are asked to enter through the Kent Street entrance, where you will register and be directed to the appropriate room by college staff. Guests enter through the front doors of MCCE no earlier than 45 minutes before the ceremony start time. 

Florence Simmons Performance Hall Ceremony: Please arrive one hour before the ceremony start time. Enter through the Charlottetown Centre main entrance on Kent Street to register. You will then be directed to the appropriate room by college staff. Guests enter through the Weymouth Street entrance of the Charlottetown Centre no earlier than 45 minutes prior to the ceremony start time. 

HOW DO I GET MY GOWN?

Graduates will pick up their gowns upon registration at their graduation ceremony

If you require a gown prior to graduation day, please contact the following:

Charlottetown & East: Samuel’s Campus Store – campusstore@hollandcollege.com

Summerside & West: Andrew Dobson – adobson@hollandcollege.com

IS THERE A LINK TO WATCH THE CEREMONY ONLINE?

Yes! Watch the graduation ceremonies live.

WILL THERE BE A PLACE FOR MY GUESTS TO TAKE PHOTOS?

To maintain a clear and safe pathway in our venues, we ask that guests refrain from moving throughout the venue or to the stage to take photos. A professional photographer will be on-site to take photos of every graduate as they cross the stage. You will be able to download your photo a few days after your ceremony. There will be lots of time after your ceremony to take photos with your friends and family around campus.

WHERE CAN I ACCESS THE GRADUATION CEREMONY PHOTO GALLERY?

All photos can be found and downloaded at: https://hollandcollege.lencurrie.com A special thank you to Len Currie for his photography.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO GRADUATION?

You are required to wear a Holland College gown and stole. You are encouraged, but not required, to wear business casual clothing. The gown length is approximately mid-calf, so please keep that in mind when choosing your outfit and footwear. The college does not permit any add-ons or alterations to graduation gowns and stoles such as flags, specialty sashes, or signs. Save those items for your celebrations after the ceremony! 

WILL THERE BE A SECURE PLACE FOR ME TO LEAVE MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS?

We discourage you from bringing any personal belongings that you cannot carry on your person, as there is no secure area where you can leave these items while you are participating in the ceremony. The college is not responsible for any loss or damage to items during the ceremonies 

WHERE DO I PARK?

McMillan Centre for Community Engagement: There is ample street parking available on Grafton, Weymouth and Kent Streets. In addition to street parking, graduates and guests can use the student parking lot on Grafton Street across from Glendenning Hall.

Florence Simmons Performance Hall: There is ample street parking on site. In addition to street parking, graduates and guests can use the student parking lot on Grafton Street. 

Harbourfront Theatre: There is a large parking lot on-site that guests can use.

WILL I BE ABLE TO PURCHASE A FRAME OR OTHER SOUVENIRS AT GRADUATION?

For Charlottetown ceremonies, Samuel’s Campus Store is located on Campus in the Charlottetown Centre and will be open during graduation.

For Summerside ceremonies, Samuel’s Campus Store is located next door to the Harbourfront Theatre at our Summerside Waterfront Campus. 

You can also shop online. 

WILL THERE BE A PLACE FOR MY GUESTS TO PURCHASE FLOWERS?

Yes! The Commencement Group will be on site selling their bouquets prior to and after all graduation ceremonies in May. Purchases can also be made online to pick up prior to the ceremony. Please note that this service is not offered for our June and July graduations.  

ARE THERE GRADUATION AWARDS OR SPECIAL DISTINCTIONS?

Yes! See the list of graduation awards and distinctions below.

• Valedictorian
  
  
  Each graduation ceremony will see one student hold the distinction of Valedictorian. This distinction is nomination-based and will require a speech at graduation from the recipient. Staff, faculty, and students can nominate graduates for the distinction, or students can choose to self-nominate but must include two letters of support, one must be from a faculty member. The criteria for this distinction are: academic achievement, a strong moral compass, and leadership within their program.

• Application-based awards
  Several programs have graduation awards students can apply for. If your program has one of these available, you will receive an email in April from awards@hollandcollege.com with application details.
  
  
• Governor General’s Collegiate Bronze Medal
  Holland College presents 2 students with the Governor General’s Collegiate Bronze Medal each year. This award is academic-based, and students do not apply. There is one award for Charlottetown & East and one for Summerside & West. This distinction is given to the highest aggregate of each jurisdiction. 
  
  
• President’s Award of Dedication
  The President’s Award of Dedication was created in 2022 to celebrate students who have made an impression on their learning managers with their personal achievement both in and outside of the classroom, their dedication to their program and their ability to make a positive contribution to their class and/or campus. This award is chosen by the program and learning managers and students do not apply. There is one award per program department.

Will I be able to get professional grad photos prior to graduation?

Heckbert's Photography of Summerside is the official photographer for Holland College graduations. If you live in Summerside or West Prince, you can book an appointment to have your portrait taken in the studio in Summerside. Heckbert's will also offer on-campus sessions at the Tourism & Culinary Centre and Prince of Wales Campus. Heckbert's will also offer on-campus sessions at the Tourism & Culinary Centre and Prince of Wales Campus.