Spring 2026 Schedule At-a-Glance

  • Thursday, May 14: CHHS Master’s and Doctoral Graduation Reception, 3 p.m., ISU Alumni Center (Reiman Ballroom)
  • Thursday, May 14: University Graduate Commencement Ceremony, 7 p.m., Hilton Coliseum
  • Friday, May 15: CHHS Undergraduate Convocation, 1 p.m., Hilton Coliseum; reception to follow.
  • Saturday, May 16: University Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony, 7 p.m., Hilton Coliseum

Graduate Students

College of Health and Human Sciences Master’s and Doctoral Graduation Reception

The College of Health and Human Sciences is hosting a reception for Spring 2026 graduating graduate students and their guests. College faculty and staff will also attend to help celebrate. RSVPs are requested (graduates and guests; CHHS faculty and staff). 

Event Details

  • Time: Thursday, May 14, 3-4:30 p.m.
  • Place: Reiman Ballroom, ISU Alumni Center (429 Alumni Lane)
  • Parking: Parking is available in the Iowa State Center parking lot east of the ISU Alumni Center

Please contact Mara Fleming (mfleming@iastate.edu) if you have any questions or need to change your RSVP.

Undergraduate Students

College of Health and Human Sciences Convocation

The College of Health and Human Sciences (CHHS) Convocation is a separate event from the official Iowa State University Commencement Ceremony.  The CHHS Convocation includes only students from the College of Health and Human Sciences and allows you and your guests a more individualized celebration of your achievements. 

Who: Undergraduate students approved for graduation or early walks
Time: Friday, May 15, 1 p.m. (convocation lasts approximately an hour – doors open at noon to the public; students should plan to arrive at 11:45 a.m.).
Place: Hilton Coliseum
Parking: Lots around Hilton Coliseum

The convocation will include greetings from the Dean of the College, comments by a student speaker, and individual recognition of each graduating student who is in attendance. At the conclusion of the recognition of student award recipients, students will cross the stage as their names are read and be recognized by the Dean and the chair or director of their respective academic department or school. A light reception will follow in the Scheman Building-first floor lobby at approximately 2:30 p.m. 

Seating is unlimited and tickets are not required for admission. Attendance is optional.

Doors open to the public at 12 Noon.  Guests enter Hilton through the South doors.

The facility is handicapped accessible. Guests must bring their own wheelchairs. The handicap entrance is on the west side of Hilton.

Reception – to follow Convocation

Graduates, families, and friends are invited to a reception following the convocation ceremony. The reception is a good time to visit with family, friends, and faculty and to take small group photographs. Reception will be in the first floor lobby of the Scheman Building, located directly west of Hilton Coliseum. Banners will designate each department/school where students and families can meet with faculty and staff.

Student Directions to Attend Convocation

Students graduating in the current semester should RSVP for the CHHS Convocation by following the instructions on the ISU Graduation and Commencement webpage. The College of Health and Human Sciences RSVP deadline is May 1.

  • Arrive by 11:45 a.m.
  • Students should enter Hilton Coliseum on the West Side, Ground Level.
    Please leave enough time to park, walk to the Coliseum, register and complete your reader card with your mailing address and email address.
  • You will line up by major. Those with a double major or degree can choose which major you would like to sit/cross the stage with. Do not take a program at the entrance; there will be one for you on your seat.
  • Leave belongings (purses, coats, other valuables) in the car or with family/friends.

Directions and Parking

Directions to the James H. Hilton Coliseum are available here. Parking is available in the Iowa State Center parking lot, directly south of Hilton Coliseum.

Cap and Gown Required

Black gown and cap with maroon tassel are required. Wear cap level with the tassel on the right side.
These may be purchased from the ISU Book Store, Memorial Union. Students who have successfully completed the Honors Program and/or are graduating with distinction (3.5+ GPA) are encouraged to wear Honor cords.

Distinction cords are distributed by the Office of Registrar. If you have qualified for distinction cords, you will receive an email from the Office of the Registrar about a month before graduation with the date, time, and location to pick up your cords.

View full academic attire standards

Early Walks

Those students who wish to participate in the College of Health and Human Sciences Convocation but do not graduate during the current term should submit an early walk form. Requests will be accepted until May 1, for the spring convocation. Students walking early – your early walk form is your RSVP.

Special Arrangements

Any graduate or guest who plans to attend the College of Health and Human Sciences Convocation and who will need special assistance during the ceremony, should email Robert Reason (rreason@iastate.edu).

Crossing the Stage

The most important part of the convocation is the individual recognition of graduates. Only the names of students who are present will be read. Recognition will be grouped by major. If you have multiple majors or will earn multiple degrees, you will be recognized only once.

When your major is called, a marshal will lead your group to the foot of the stage. Each student presents a name card to the stage marshal and proceeds across stage to be recognized by the Dean and the graduate’s respective department chair or school director as the graduate’s name is read. After crossing the stage, each student has their photo taken and then returns to their seat.

Students, led by a faculty marshal, leave the program in an informal recession, which leads directly to the lobbies of Hilton Coliseum.

Please leave coats and other personal belongings with family or friends.

Diploma

Diplomas will not be handed out at the CHHS Convocation. View full details about how to receive your diploma.

Photographs

Guests are welcome to take photos during the ceremony and reception. Empire Photography will take professional photos of each graduate as they cross the stage and shake hands with the Dean, and also as the graduate exits the stage. Graduating students may order photos using an online ordering system. However, you are under no obligation to order any photos.

Questions regarding photographs should be directed to:

Empire Photography
608-257-2941

Convocation Helps

  1. Tickets are NOT required for family members/friends to attend the convocation.
  2. Student check-in at West Entrance, ground level, underneath the sidewalk.
  3. Check-in begins at 11:45 a.m.
  4. No coats, purses, or parents in registration/line-up area.
  5. Please wear comfortable shoes. There will be a lot of walking and steps.
  6. Doors open to guests at 12 Noon.  Guests enter Hilton through the South doors.

Live Stream – 2026 Convocation

The College of Health and Human Sciences Convocation live stream will begin on the date and time that the in-person event begins. Hover over the image below and click on it. This will bring up the livestream. From there, you can choose to watch the stream on this web page or directly on YouTube.

Livestream Direct Link: There is also a direct link to YouTube for the livestream. This will go live when the ceremony begins.

Clear Bag Policy

All events taking place at Hilton Coliseum will follow the venue’s clear bag policy as outlined on cyclones.com.

University Undergraduate Commencement

Students can also attend the Iowa State University Undergraduate Commencement.

Lodging

For information about lodging, go to https://discoverames.com/. We recommend you make hotel reservations well in advance, as hotels are usually booked on graduation weekend. Most restaurants in Ames operate on a “first come, first serve” basis during graduation weekend and are usually very busy. Please factor this into your plans.