Commencement

Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony

If you graduated in the Summer or Fall of 2025 or anticipate graduating in Spring or Summer of 2026, you are invited to participate in the Nicolet College Commencement Ceremony on

Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Nicolet College, Lakeside Theatre in Rhinelander. 

Three ceremonies will be held: 9 am, 11 am, and 1 pm. Your ceremony time will be assigned based on your program and additional details will be shared closer to commencement.

There is no cost for graduates to participate in the Commencement Ceremony so celebrate your success! Sign up by completing the form by no later than March 1, 2026.

Graduation Petition 

If you’re completing a certificate, diploma, or degree, you must complete a Graduation Petition in the term in which your final course(s) are completed. The Graduation Petition can be found in your MyNicolet account. There is no additional fee for participating in graduation. Click here and follow these steps to apply for graduation. 

You will need to apply once for EACH program you wish to graduate from.

If you have questions about the petition, please contact your Success Coach. 

Graduation Petition Deadlines 

Spring 2026 Petition Due: March 1, 2026

Summer 2026 Petition Due: March 1, 2026 (if participating in spring commencement ceremony), otherwise July 1, 2026.

Fall 2026 Petition Due:  November 1, 2026

Certificates, Degrees, and Diplomas

Students earning a certificate, technical diploma, or associate degree must complete the approved program requirements. Additionally, each candidate for a diploma or degree will meet the following criteria: 

• Possess a minimum GPA of 2.00 ("C") on all credits to be applied toward satisfying degree or diploma requirements. Individual programs may require a "C" or better in each course.
• Earn at Nicolet College a minimum of 25% of the required technical studies, occupational specific, or liberal arts credits. These established minimums cannot be met through advanced standing.
• Complete a program of courses approved by the instructional administration.
• Be in academic good standing at the time that final credits are earned.
• Satisfy all financial and other institutional obligations. 

Graduation with Academic Honors

Students who earn the distinction of Academic Honors are recognized with gold or silver cords at the graduation ceremony. Academic Honors are determined from the student’s last fully graded semester prior to graduation and recognized as follows: Gold Cord Scholars are graduates of two-year associate degree or two-year diploma programs who achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher. Silver Cord Scholars are graduates of one-year diploma programs who achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher. Students are presented their cords at the commencement ceremony, and the honor is noted in the graduation program.