55th Annual Commencement
July 10, 2026
11 am ET, MVP Arena, Albany NY
Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
This webpage is our Commencement hub. Registration is now closed for the 2026 event. Graduate instructions and information are included here to assist registered graduates and their guests plan their special day. A livestream of Commencement will also be available for graduates and guests to celebrate from a distance. It can be accessed on this page and registration is not required to view.
Read more below for our event attendance details.
Visit our FAQ page for more answers to your most common Commencement questions
MVP Arena
located at:
51 South Pearl Street
Albany, NY 12207
Graduate Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. ET
Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. ET
Guests not limited and tickets not required. Visit the MVP Arena website to access all kinds of venue information.
The MVP Arena entrances will open at 9:30 a.m. – the recommended entrance is the main entrance off South Pearl Street. Please plan to arrive early to allow time for parking.
Parking & Directions: The MVP Arena has a parking garage located behind and attached to the Arena. It is easily accessible via Market Street or Beaver Street and has a clearance of 6’6”. It may not accommodate all graduates and guests, but there are other options near the Arena. View parking and directions information here https://www.mvparena.com/plan-your-visit/directions-parking
Entrances: The recommended entrance to the MVP Arena is the main entrance located at 51 South Pearl Street.
Graduate check-in is located off the main entrance/ground level.
Guests should proceed up to the concourse level to access guest seating – College of Nursing and Health Sciences to the left and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to the right – follow signs. Graduates should leave personal belongings with their guests. View the MVP Arena security policy here https://www.mvparena.com/plan-your-visit/security-procedures
Guest Seating: As a reminder, guests are not limited, and tickets are not required. Except for a few reserved seating areas, it is open seating for guests.
Please note: As you face the stage, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences will be seated in the left-side seating section on the Arena floor and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will be seated in the right-side seating section. All graduates will cross the stage from left to right.
Concessions will open at 9:30 a.m. on both sides of the Arena.
Visit Discover Albany or download their app for all kinds of travel and tourism information. Hotels and restaurants in the Downtown sections of their website are closest to the MVP Arena – some are within walking distance, but not all.
The website of the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District is another resource for planning including dining and parking information.
Make your trip even more memorable and plan to explore the historic sites and attractions the Capital Region of New York State has to offer. For statewide tourism information, visit the I Love NY website or download their app.
The MVP Arena is accessible and equipped with platform seating areas for guests with mobility issues. Unless you have prearranged accommodations seating, remaining areas are available first-come, first-served and will accommodate two guests with open seating close by. Staff will be available for accommodations questions at the seating entrances/concourse level past security.
View MVP Arena accessibility information here: https://www.mvparena.com/plan-your-visit/accessibility
Sign language interpreters will be at the ceremony and positioned for best viewing from seating section 119.
The deadline to make prearrangement is June 22, 2026, contact studentsupport@excelsior.edu
If you have questions related to the event, email commencement@excelsior.edu or call 518-608-8181.
Graduate Instructions
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Graduates should plan to arrive in their regalia at 9:30 a.m. when the doors to the MVP Arena open and check-in begins. Follow signs to graduate check-in, located off the main entrance at ground level (atrium). Check-in ends at 10:30 a.m.
Graduates receive their name card at check-in
Name card:
- Retain this card, do not fold or bend it.
- Complete Island Photography information on the back of the card to receive proofs of your stage photos. No obligation to purchase.
Graduate Connections
9:30 a.m. –10:30 a.m.
After you arrive and check in, you and your guests can meet and mingle with faculty, staff, and other graduates on the ground level/atrium, midlevel/mezzanine, and upper level/concourse levels off the main entrance. The Alumni Association will greet you as you arrive and Excelsior t-shirts and baseball hats will be offered for sale. Purple alumni cords will be available with a $25 Pay it Forward donation. Faculty and academic departments will be located on the midlevel/mezzanine (one flight up) with master’s hooding available. Photo backgrounds will be available too. Excelsior looks forward to meeting you!
Note: Lineup for the processional begins at 10:30 a.m., so be sure to check in before 10:30 a.m. Academic advisors will be in the lineup area to greet and congratulate you, and you can go to the lineup area as early as you’d like after checking in.
Reminder: College of Nursing and Health Sciences graduates and guests should use the stairs on the left and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences should use the stairs on the right – both will be marked with a sign.
If you’re a master’s graduate and would like to be hooded, assistance will be available when you visit your college’s gathering space on the midlevel of the main entrance area after you check in and before 10:30 a.m. Regalia assistance is available to all graduates in the lineup area.
How To Wear your Commencement Regalia
Processional: Begins promptly at 11:00 a.m. Please stay in formation and order. Deans and marshals will lead the lines of the Colleges and assist with graduate seating.
Presentation of Graduates: Facing the stage, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences will be seated in the left-side seating section on the Arena floor and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will be seated in the right-side seating section. All graduates will cross the stage from left to right in this order: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
- Marshals and staff will guide graduates by row to the stage.
- Leave your program at your seat. Bring only your name card to the stage.
- Once on stage, your name card will be taken, scanned by staff and you will be greeted by your Dean. Proceed across the stage to accept your diploma cover and be greeted by Excelsior leadership as your name is announced and your name and degree are displayed on the large ceremony screens.
- Island Photography will take your photo on stage and after you proceed down the ramp, another photo will be taken.
- Staff will guide you to return to your seat.
Recessional: At the close of the ceremony, stay seated. First, the platform party will exit the stage, followed by faculty and alumni, and then graduates, led by the graduate speaker holding the alumni torch. All exit from front to back. Marshals will assist, please remain seated until it is your row’s turn to exit. Guests are asked to remain seated until the recessional leaves the floor of the Arena.
Be the Class of 2026 Graduate Speaker!
Represent your class at Commencement and consider nominating yourself as graduate speaker. Submit a brief statement incorporating what you value most about your Excelsior experience and a general overview of your proposed speech topic. Please include any previous public speaking experience.
Email your statement to commencement@excelsior.edu by
Friday, May 15, 2026.
Professional Graduate Photographs
- Island Photography will take professional photos as graduates cross the stage during the ceremony. If you are attending Commencement, click here to register your contact information. Color proofs and ordering information will be sent after the ceremony with no obligation to purchase.
- If you have any questions please visit Island Photography’s website or contact their customer service team via email at custserv@islandphoto.com or phone at 800-869-0908.
Excelsior Merchandise
- Apparel & Gifts
- Class Rings, Jewelry, Diploma Frames, & More
- Nursing pins may be ordered by mail. To request a form that includes pricing, call 405-609-6956, or email jostensnursing@mtmrecognition.com with “Excelsior University” in the subject line.
- Excelsior t-shirts and baseball hats will be for sale at Commencement and alumni purple cords will also be available with a $25 Pay it Forward donation!
Graduate Slideshow
- Upload your celebratory photos to be included in a special slideshow on Commencement day.
- The deadline to submit your photos is June 22, 2026.
Welcome to the Alumni Association
Excelsior University reached an extraordinary milestone, and we couldn’t have done it without you! Together, our alumni community has grown to an incredible 200,000 strong—a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
The Alumni Association encourages alumni to stay connected, share their successes, and serve as advocates for Excelsior and our students. Every Excelsior graduate belongs — no application, no dues required!
Stay engaged and join our community on Excelsior Connects.
Celebrate on Social
See the Excitement from Commencement 2025
Full Commencement ceremonies are available in our Commencement archive.
