May 28th, 2026 I The United Palace Theater
The ceremony is an occasion to celebrate this momentous milestone with your friends, family, and faculty. Students will walk across the stage and celebrate with their classmates from across the Powell School.
Time : 10.30am
Please keep checking your Student Email regularly for more information.
For Kathryn Gioiosa, leadership isn’t a concept learned in a lecture hall — it is a practice born from the classroom floor. A Political Science major, Truman Scholar, and Udall Scholar, Kathryn has spent her time at the Colin Powell School building a resume that rivals seasoned professionals. Recently named to the Forbes 30-Under-30 list for Social Impact, Kathryn is proving that the next generation of leadership is already here.
For Carolina Fernandez, a Business Administration in Finance major and Macaulay Honors College student, the path to a career in finance was paved by her parents’ hustle and her own unwavering curiosity. As she prepares to graduate this May as one of the school’s salutatorians, Carolina is set to become the first member of her family to earn a college degree in the United States — a milestone that feels like the culmination of a lifelong dream.
For Sofia Lopez Chicas, the study of law is both a career ambition and an act of care. As a double major in Political Science and Philosophy with a minor in Legal Studies, Sofia’s academic journey at the Colin Powell School has been defined by a deep desire to understand how power, justice, and institutions shape the human experience.
Colin Powell School Psychology student Vanessa Lopez isn’t just pursuing a degree — she’s building a movement. Born and raised in the Bronx, her commitment to mental health equity is deeply rooted in her community. Her journey, marked by leadership, advocacy, and a pursuit of systemic change, is an inspiring example of purpose-driven public service.
For Victoria Lu, education has never been a passive pursuit — it is an active, vital tool for change. A triple major in Sociology, Political Science, and International Studies, with a minor in Human Rights, Victoria has spent her time at the Colin Powell School building a bridge between theoretical inquiry and movement-building. As she graduates this spring, she leaves behind a legacy of activism that spans from the streets of Queens to the corporate boardrooms of Spain.
Christian Velez is a Bronx native raised by Colombian and Venezuelan parents, who instilled in him a deep understanding of the importance of education. Christian’s path to the Colin Powell School began with his father’s love for the ocean. Today, Christian is a salutatorian for the Powell School class of 2026, graduating with a double major in Political Science and Science Learning & Public Engagement. His journey has been powered by his passion for science, nature, and public policy. Learn more about how those passions took shape below.
Honors Cords
Students with a 3.2 GPA or higher are eligible for an Honors Cord.
Honors cords can be picked up starting Monday, April 27th at the Dean’s Office in NAC 6/141 from 10:00AM to 4:00PM.
To pick up your Honors Cord, you MUST show Photo ID (CCNY ID or ID/Driver’s License).
Honors cord WILL NOT be mailed and MUST BE COLLECTED IN-PERSON.
Graduate students are NOT eligible for Honors Cords.
If your GPA is over 3.2 and you did not receive an email with pickup details, visit the Dean’s Office to confirm your GPA and pickup your Honors Cord.
Graduates of September, January, and February are automatically invited to the Spring Commencement ceremony.
To all June applicants for graduation, attending the Graduation Celebration does not automatically mean that you have graduated from CCNY.
You must satisfy all of your degree requirements. All graduates will be notified to their CCNY email address regarding degree conferral/diploma availability.
For students in the class of 2026, the honors policy is as follows:
A degree summa cum laude is granted to students whose average in all subjects is at least 3.8.
A degree magna cum laude is granted to students whose average in all subjects is at least 3.5.
A degree cum laude is granted to students whose average in all subjects is at least 3.2.
Only coursework completed at City College is taken into account in the computation of graduation honors. Second degree students are not eligible for graduation honors.
Ticket Information
Tickets will be issued on May 6th.
An email will be sent to students who rsvp’ed with instructions to book guest tickets and access code info.
Only students who applied for graduation in time and RSVP’ed will receive a link to book their guests’ tickets.
Students who did not rsvp on time must fill out the waitlist form below.
Graduates do not need a ticket for commencement your regalia (cap and gown is your ticket).
No student will be allowed to walk without their Cap and Gown. Powell School tassel color is Deep Red/maroon.
For Entry Graduates should have their regalia with them in hand with Cap and deep red tassel/maroon and carry a photo ID for check-in.
Tickets for guests are required. Seats are assigned. NO ENTRY WITHOUT TICKET.
Every guest who needs a seat, needs a ticket. Infants and toddlers (age 2 and under) who will sit on adults’ laps do not need tickets.
NO GUEST ENTRY WITHOUT A TICKET (DIGITAL OR PRINTED)
Make sure your guests carry their ticket for scanning. UP has strict ticket entry policy.
CCNY Undergraduate students do not wear hoods. CCNY caps have tassels in the school colors (Deep Red/maroon for Colin Powell School).
Wear your academic robe closed. Your cap should be centered on your head with the mortarboard (the top) flat, not tilted. Caps tend to slip; hairpins will help.
For undergraduates, the tassel on your cap should be worn in front on the right side; they will be switched to the left when the Dean confers the degrees near the end of the ceremony.
Join the celebration with #PowellSchool26
Use #PowellSchool26 on social media to share your congratulations and help us celebrate.
Tag us in your posts to keep the conversation going.
