Everything you need to know about SDSU Commencement 2025
From honorary degrees and ceremony times to ticketing and parking, here’s everything graduates and families need to know about commencement.
More than 12,000 San Diego State University students will transition from graduates to proud alumni as part of the Class of 2025.
This year’s graduates will be celebrated during four days of ceremonies, beginning May 15 at SDSU Imperial Valley and concluding Sunday night, May 18, at Viejas Arena.
The Class of 2025 includes more than 2,390 graduates from the Fowler College of Business — the largest group this year — as well as 219 doctoral students.
“You are now part of a vibrant network of well over four million CSU alumni who are powering California, the nation and the world,” said Mildred García, chancellor of the California State University system. “Together, you will solve our greatest challenges, educate the next generation, fight for democracy and a more just society, and enrich our workforce and communities with your talents.”
Here’s everything you need to know about attending the SDSU's 126th Commencement ceremonies — including a day-by-day guide, ticket information, and where to buy commencement apparel. For complete details, visit SDSU’s Commencement Information page.
Ceremonies by College
SDSU
Location: Viejas Arena
Friday, May 16, 2025
8 a.m. College of Sciences
1 p.m. College of Arts and Letters
5 p.m. College of Education/Interdisciplinary Studies in Three Departments
Saturday, May 17, 2025
8 a.m. Fowler College of Business
1 p.m. College of Health and Human Services
5 p.m. College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
Sunday, May 18, 2025
8 a.m. College of Graduate Studies 1
1 p.m. College of Graduate Studies 2
5 p.m. College of Engineering
SDSU Imperial Valley
Thursday, May 15, 2025
7 p.m. Imperial Valley
Location: Rollie Carillo Quad
View ceremony broadcast / online
All ceremonies will be broadcast online on the SDSU and commencement sites. All ceremonies will also stream on Facebook live through the San Diego State University Facebook page.
Valid ID Required
Due to stringent security measures, all students participating in commencement are required to present their SDSU RedID card (preferred) or a valid, government-issued picture ID in order to be admitted to Viejas Arena.
Students who do not bring a valid ID to Viejas Arena will not be allowed to participate in commencement.
Viejas Arena Assembly
Please check the schedule of commencement ceremonies for the appropriate date and time.
Assemble in Lot 13, across from Parking Structure 12, north of the arena.
Arrive at least 45 minutes before the processional start time, unless otherwise noted for your college. See Ceremonies by College.
College representatives will help to organize you in the correct processional line according to your major.
Commencement Tradition
By tradition, the commencement ceremony may include a processional, introductions, awards, a speaker and a recessional. Music for the processional and recessional will signal the beginning and end of the ceremony.
The processional, led by the grand marshal carrying the college banner, and directed by faculty marshals, will enter the commencement site from one or two directions, providing a colorful view of candidates and faculty in their full academic regalia. After arriving at your seat, please remain standing until the grand marshal signals you to sit.
The ceremony typically will continue with a welcome and instructions from the dean of the college, followed by the recognition of outstanding candidates. SDSU President Adela de la Torre will confer the degrees. Following closing remarks by the dean, the grand marshal will lead the recessional of graduates and dignitaries from the commencement site back to the assembly area. The commencement ceremony will last about two hours.
Family and Guests
Viejas Arena doors open one hour prior to the ceremony start time.
Guests should allow plenty of time to park and find their seats. You may want to arrive on campus early and walk the campus grounds and take photos of their graduates at their favorite campus landmarks.
Ceremony
Audience members should remain seated until the recessional ends and then meet their graduates at a pre-arranged site. Students and guests are encouraged not to exit the arena until the entire ceremony has concluded. Please avoid congregating in the immediate area of Viejas Arena to eliminate congestion as guests arrive and depart from other commencement ceremonies.
Honorary Degrees
Mark Arabo
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Arabo gained national attention in the 2010s as a spokesperson for Iraqi Christians fleeing ISIS, founding the Minority Humanitarian Foundation to assist displaced families. He said his work alongside U.S. lawmakers and the United Nations helped mobilize aid and shape binational policy, and his efforts contributed to the U.S. government's recognition of ISIS's actions against Christians as genocide in 2016.
In 2015, Arabo founded Refined Management, a consulting and catering company serving corporate and nonprofit clients. The firm has grown into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.
His public service includes appointments by Gov. Gavin Newsom to the California Workforce Development Board, the 22nd District Agricultural Association and the State Race Track Leasing Commission, where he currently serves as president of the Del Mar Race Track Authority. As a result of his efforts with statewide policy endeavors serving underserved communities within California, Arabo was chosen as a board member of the Don Diego Scholarship Foundation which provides educational opportunities for deserving students in agricultural and rural communities. Nationally, he also served on then-U.S. President Joe Biden’s National Finance Committee and was appointed as a delegate in both the 2020 and 2024 presidential campaigns.
Arabo graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications. Arabo will receive his honorary doctorate at the commencement ceremony for the Fowler College of Business at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at Viejas Arena.
Norma Diaz
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Diaz began her career at age 14 with the San Ysidro Health Center and joined the Community Health Group in 1982. Through dedication and strategic leadership, she rose through the ranks in roles including chief human resources officer and associate CEO. She now celebrates 50 years of service in community health.
Since the formation of Community Health Group, Diaz has held numerous leadership roles, including Chief Human Resources Officer and Associate CEO, before assuming her current role. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its reach and impact while maintaining its core mission of equitable, accessible care.
Diaz has received numerous accolades for her leadership and community service, including the MANA Super HerMANA Award, the YWCA Twin and Mentor Award and the San Diego Business Journal’s “Business Woman of the Year.” She was also named San Diego Magazine’s Nonprofit Visionary in 2021.
Deeply committed to community engagement, Diaz is active in local organizations, including MANA de San Diego and has mentored young women throughout her career. She was the first and only teenage board member of the San Diego YWCA and a proud Girl Scout.
Diaz earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from San Diego State University and her MBA from National University. Diaz will receive her honorary doctorate at the commencement ceremony for the College of Health and Human Services at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Viejas Arena.
Bag Policy & Prohibited Items
To expedite your entry into Viejas Arena, it is recommended that you do not bring a bag. If you must bring a bag, we highly suggest a clear plastic, vinyl or PVC tote bag. This is to reduce staff contact with guests' belongings. Bags can be no larger than 12"x 5" x 12". No backpacks are allowed.
Please arrive early and be patient as we work to ensure a safe environment. All bags are subject to search prior to entrance and inside the facility.
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to large bags/backpacks, strollers, umbrellas, banners and signs larger than 20”x20”, balloons, weapons, alcoholic beverages, glass containers, noisemakers of any kind, non-service animals, skateboards and roller shoes. Visit the Viejas Arena A-Z Guide for more information.
Parking and Transportation
Parking fees
$5 for guests who prepay.
$10 starting May 15, 2025.
To prepay, use the SDSU Commencement 2025 Parking Pre-Payment Portal and enter your license plate number and payment information. Vehicles with an active student or employee parking permit are exempt from the fee, however, two vehicles on the same permit cannot be parked at SDSU at the same time and are subject to citation.
Directions
To Viejas Arena: Because some ceremonies may fill the arena to its capacity of 12,000 people, we suggest several alternate approaches and make use of a range of parking locations.
Please allow at least 20 minutes to reach the arena from any parking area east of College Avenue.
From east of College Avenue: Take I-8 west to College Avenue, then proceed south on College Avenue. At the first intersection of College/Alvarado Road, turn right onto Canyon Crest Drive, then west to Parking Structure 12.
From south of Montezuma Road: Take Route 94 or another east/west route to College Avenue north, then left on Montezuma Road, then right on 55th Street to Parking Structure 7.
From west of College Avenue: Take I-8 to College Avenue south, then right on Canyon Crest Drive to Parking Structure 12.
Alternate Route: Take I-8 to Fairmount Avenue, east on Montezuma Road to 55th Street, then left on 55th Street to Parking Structure 7.
Accessibility
Graduates or guests with a DMV-issued disabled parking permit may park in any ADA, Student, Faculty/Staff, or Service/Vendor parking stall on campus. Parking fees apply to ADA parking areas and placard/plate holders are expected to pre-pay or pay upon arrival during the ceremony.
There will also be a limited number of wheelchairs available for guests to use at no charge at the beginning of each commencement ceremony. Visit the commencement Disability Access page for more information on disabled parking/shuttles, wheelchairs and other accommodations.
Accessing Guest tickets
Beginning Monday, May 5 at 11 a.m., graduates are able to transfer their guest tickets via email or text from their GoAztecs account. Tickets can be transferred to individual guests or collectively to one guest. Once guests have received their tickets, those tickets should be uploaded and saved onto the guest’s smartphone wallet for ease and to avoid access issues upon arriving at Viejas Arena.
Please review these step-by-step instructions on transferring and accepting guest tickets:
Graduates and guests can contact the Viejas Arena Ticket Office at [email protected] with questions regarding guest tickets.
On the day of commencement, guests are welcome to visit the Viejas Arena Box Office to see if any additional tickets are available. There is no guarantee that additional tickets will be available, however.
Photography
GradImages Photography will take photographs of each graduate on stage during the commencement ceremonies. Each graduate will be sent no-obligation proofs of the commencement photographs via email and text after the event. Proofs will also be sent via postal mail. You will have the opportunity to purchase prints after you have seen your proofs.
Prior to the ceremony, graduates can also pre-register by visiting GradImages and using the “Pre-Event Email Registration” link. There, you will enter your email address and up to six (6) email addresses for others to view and order your photos.
If you have any questions about your commencement ceremony photographs, please visit GradImages or call toll-free 1-800-261-2576.
