The Connecticut State Community College system is rolling out a series of commencements across Connecticut from May 20 through May 28. Ceremonies will take place at major venues like Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, Palace Theater, Dunkin’ Park, Warner Theatre, Mohegan Sun, CCSU Welte Hall, and the CT State Manchester campus.
These events celebrate graduates from dozens of countries and a huge mix of programs. Personal stories of perseverance, leadership, and community impact will take center stage.
Explore top-rated stays with no booking fees and instant confirmation. Your dream trip starts here!
Start Exploring Now
May 20-21: Kickoff ceremonies across Connecticut
The opening weekend brings multiple campuses together in cities like Bridgeport, Waterbury, and New Britain. The schedule puts a spotlight on international backgrounds, military service, and students who pushed through adversity to finish their studies.
Norwalk Community College — Bridgeport, May 20 at 11 a.m.
- Global graduates: students represent 54 countries and speak over 30 languages.
Naugatuck Valley Community College — Waterbury, May 20 at 2 p.m.
- Speaker: Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski Jr.
Tunxis Community College — May 20 at 6 p.m. (CCSU Welte Hall, New Britain)
- Interim president Christina Royal will speak. One graduate, who returned to education after leaving Afghanistan, gets recognized for perseverance.
May 21: Ceremonies continue in Bridgeport, Hartford, Torrington, and beyond
Saturday brings events to Bridgeport, Hartford, and Torrington. Notable alumni speakers will share messages of resilience and highlight nontraditional pathways and community service.
Housatonic Community College — Bridgeport, May 21 at 10 a.m.
- Alumna and state representative Kaitlyn Shake steps up as alumni speaker.
Capital Community College — Dunkin’ Park, Hartford, May 21 at 1 p.m.
- Alumni speaker Dinora E. Lopez, ’10, EVP and general counsel of Liberty Bank.
Gateway Community College — Bridgeport, May 21 at 4 p.m.
- Air Force veteran and alum Thomas Brockett, ’85, will be in the spotlight.
Northwestern Connecticut Community College — Torrington, May 21 at 6 p.m.
- Speaker Elijah Riley, former NFL player, will join. The ceremony also celebrates a graduate who’s a statewide student leader and a national Phi Theta Kappa scholar.
Asnuntuck Community College — Enfield, May 21 at 6 p.m. (Dunkin’ Park)
- Parking for the event is at 275 Windsor St.
May 22: Quinebaug Valley’s ceremony in Danielson
Quinebaug Valley Community College holds its ceremony on May 22 at 11 a.m. at the Richard C. Berry Amphitheater. This year, they’re highlighting a Brazilian American graduate heading to UMass Boston to study environmental science and clean energy.
Quinebaug Valley Community College — Killingly/Danielson, May 22 at 11 a.m.
- Spotlight on a Brazilian American graduate pursuing environmental science and clean energy at UMass Boston.
May 26: Three Rivers Community College moves to Mohegan Sun
Three Rivers Community College’s ceremony lands at Mohegan Sun’s Uncas Ballroom. They’re honoring a nontraditional student who came back to school after a cancer diagnosis and helped classmates through the campus food pantry.
Three Rivers Community College — Norwich, May 26 at Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom
- Honoring a nontraditional student who overcame illness and supported peers through the campus food pantry.
May 27: Middlesex Community College in Middletown
On May 27, Middlesex Community College gathers at CCSU Welte Hall. The keynote comes from a regional leader who advocates for people with disabilities and families in need.
Middlesex Community College — Middletown, May 27 at CCSU Welte Hall
- Speaker Sarah Gadsby, CEO of River Valley Services, will address graduates and community partners.
May 28: Manchester’s capstone ceremony wraps the series
Manchester Community College closes out the statewide schedule on May 28 at the Bicentennial Band Shell. They’ll feature a dynamic alumni speaker and a radiography graduate who managed clinical work while dealing with a serious medical condition.
Manchester Community College — Manchester, May 28 at Bicentennial Band Shell
- Alumni speaker Kelli-Marie Vallieres, Connecticut’s Chief Workforce Officer.
- Spotlight on a radiography graduate who completed clinicals while managing a serious medical condition.
Across Connecticut—from Bridgeport and Waterbury to Danielsion (Danielson), Norwich, Middletown, Manchester, and Hartford—these ceremonies highlight resilience and multilingual achievement.
Public service takes center stage, too. The statewide roster shows how Connecticut’s community colleges shape a diverse group of students for today’s job market.
Leaders step up as speakers. Graduates bring stories of perseverance back to hometowns like New Britain, Enfield, Killingly, Torrington, and Mohegan Sun in Uncasville.
If you’re keeping an eye on the state’s higher-ed milestones, these spring commencements really do paint a striking picture. Connecticut seems all-in on education, workforce readiness, and making a difference in the community.
Here is the source article for this story: CT state community college commencement ceremonies: Everything you need to know
Find available hotels and vacation homes instantly. No fees, best rates guaranteed!
Check Availability Now
Fairfield County
Hartford County
Litchfield County
Middlesex County
New Haven County
New London County
Tolland County
