Richard J. Daley College

2026 GradFest Schedule

All GradFest events will be held at the college unless otherwise noted. Please see below for exact timing and locations.

April 27 – April 30, 2026

All students participating in the in-person ceremony must pick up their cap, gown, tassel, and tickets during GradFest.

For more information, please contact:

  • Cap and gown, graduation packets, and ticket information: Registrar’s Office at daregistrar@ccc.edu.

Pre-GradFest: Monday, April 20

Time Event Location
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Graduate Career Bootcamp

Career Development invites students to complete their final milestones and prepare for the next step in their professional journey.

 Room 2400

Pre-GradFest: Tuesday, April 21

Time Event Location
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

District-wide Virtual Career Fair

Students must register for the career fair through Handshake.

Virtual Event, Online Only

Click here to join the Virtual Career Fair.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Careers x Wellness: Preparing for Interviews

Join the Career and Wellness Centers to learn tips and tricks to ace your interview with confidence. During this workshop, students will learn ways to prepare for interviews and cope with the pre-interview nerves.

 Room 2400

Pre-GradFest: Wednesday, April 22

Time Event Location
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Daley College Spring Career Fair

The Daley College Spring Career Fair is a signature pre-GradFest event designed to connect students with Chicagoland employers and provide practical support as they prepare for life after graduation. Through direct access to hiring organizations, career exploration, and professional networking, students will have the opportunity to learn about available positions, gain insight into employer expectations, and make meaningful connections that can support their next academic step.

 MTEC and Bridge
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Ubuntu Legacy Luncheon

The Ubuntu Legacy Luncheon is an event dedicated to honoring and celebrating the achievements of graduating students at Daley College who identify as Black/African American.

 Room 1205

Pre-GradFest: Thursday, April 23

Time Event Location
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Program Exploration: Stackable Credentials

This workshop will inform students about the benefits of adding Career and Technical Education (CTE) basic certificates to their associate degrees as a way to increase their competitiveness in the workforce.

 Room 2400

Monday, April 27

Time Event Name Location

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Graduation Cap & Gown Pick-Up

Graduating students are required to pick up their cap, gown, and tickets in preparation for the Commencement ceremony.

 Room 1408
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Personalize Your Pride: Graduation Cap Decorating Event

Students will have access to art supplies to let their creativity soar as they personalize their graduation caps.

L-422 (Student Activities)
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Transfer Shock Is Real: Thriving Through the Emotional Whiplash Workshop

Transferring to a four-year university is a major achievement—but it can also come with unexpected emotional “whiplash.” Excitement and pride can quickly mix with anxiety, culture shock, loneliness, self-doubt, and the pressure to prove you belong. This one-hour, in-person workshop is designed for Daley College graduates who are preparing to transfer and want to feel confident, grounded, and supported as they step into a new campus environment.

 Room 1205

Tuesday, April 28

Time Event Name Location
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Graduation Cap & Gown Pick-Up

Graduating students are required to pick up their cap, gown, and tickets in preparation for the Commencement ceremony.

 Room 1408
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Bulldogs on the Move: Gratitude & Graduation

This is a celebratory transfer send-off where students share their next destination, post it on the “My Next Chapter Starts At” board, write thank-you notes to those who supported them, and receive final one-on-one transfer and financial aid support.

 Beattie Theater Lobby
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

From Daley to Debt-Smart: How to Afford a 4-Year University

This practical workshop is designed for graduating Daley College students who are planning to transfer and want to better understand how to pay for their bachelor’s degree. In this session, students will learn key strategies for navigating financial aid, scholarships, tuition costs, budgeting, and debt-conscious decision-making so they can move forward with greater confidence and a clearer financial plan.

 Room 2400

Wednesday, April 29

Time Event Name Location

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Graduation Cap & Gown Pick-Up

Graduating students are required to pick up their cap, gown, and tickets in preparation for the Commencement ceremony.

 Room 1408
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Bulldogs on the Move: Gratitude & Graduation

This is a celebratory transfer send-off where students share their next destination, post it on the “My Next Chapter Starts At” board, write thank-you notes to those who supported them, and receive final one-on-one transfer and financial aid support.

Beattie Theater Lobby
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Personalize Your Pride: Graduation Cap Decorating Event

Students will have access to art supplies to let their creativity soar as they personalize their graduation caps.

L-422 (Student Activities)
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

GradImages

Graduates can take pictures in a cap and gown to celebrate their achievement. Caps and gowns will be available for use during the photo session.

Beattie Theater Lobby
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Student Voice Unmuted: The Confidence Gap — Graduating Students

This event captures graduating students’ reflections on their Daley journey while exploring how confident and prepared they feel for what comes next.

Beattie Theater Lobby
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Blacklight Bowling

Blacklight Bowling is a celebration where graduating students can unwind, connect, and celebrate under neon lights. Enjoy glow-in-the-dark lanes, upbeat music, and a fun, social vibe.

Lower Level (L-215)
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Celebrando Nuestra Educación Luncheon

This event honors and celebrates graduating students who identify as Latine. This celebration recognizes their hard work, dedication, and the unique journeys that brought them to this moment.

 Room 1205

Thursday, April 30

Time Event Name Location
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Graduation Cap & Gown Pick-Up

Graduating students are required to pick up their cap, gown, and tickets in preparation for the Commencement ceremony.

 Room 1408
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

GradImages

Graduates can take pictures in a cap and gown to celebrate their achievement. Caps and gowns will be available for use during the photo session.

Beattie Theater Lobby
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Carnival Day!

Join us for a day of games, great food, music, prizes, and more as we come together to recognize the hard work and dedication of our students. It’s a time to celebrate, connect, and enjoy a festive atmosphere with the Daley College community. Come celebrate success in the most exciting way—carnival style!

 Gymnasium
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

FYE Milestones Pinning Celebration

The First-Year Experience Milestone Pinning Celebration is a special event that celebrates the hard work and progress of first-year students. It recognizes those who have completed either 15 credits or 30 credits in their academic program. Students who have earned 15 credits will receive the 25% Completer Pin, while those who have reached 30 credits will be awarded the 50% Completer Pin.

 Outside the Gymnasium
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Celebrando Nuestra Educatión Dinner

This event honors and celebrates graduating students who identify as Latine. This celebration recognizes their hard work, dedication, and the unique journeys that brought them to this moment.

 1205 (Cafeteria)

Post-GradFest: Wednesday, May 6 

Time Event Name Location
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Daley College Graduation and Student Leader Award Luncheon

The Daley College Graduation and Student Leader Award Luncheon is the celebration honoring student leaders for their hard work and achievements.

Lower-level (L-422)