Orange Coast College will confer approximately 6,000 associate degrees and certificates of achievement to some 2,942 graduates at the 78th Commencement ceremony, scheduled for Friday, May 22, at 5:30 p.m.
Several thousand are expected to attend the program at the Pacific Amphitheatre in the OC Fair and Event Center.
Graduating with five associate degrees, student speaker Cher Scarlett will share her journey with the graduating class. A former high school dropout, Scarlett is a self-taught software engineer, who decided to pursue a childhood passion after seeing the OCC Planetarium. She will transfer to Wellesley College this fall.
This year, OCC is proud to induct Fire Chief Dan Stefano into the OCC Alumni Hall of Fame. With a career spanning more than three decades, from reserve firefighter to Fire Chief, he credits his start at community college with providing him with a solid foundation. He has earned distinction as one of the most respected leaders in public safety in California.
Dr. Karissa Lovero, Faculty of the Year, will address the graduating class. Lovero, a Biological Sciences instructor, brings a deeply personal commitment to ensuring every student feels they belong. She revamped tutor training at the Science Engineering Tutoring Center, champions the Faculty Caring Campus initiative, and removes financial barriers by using free course materials.
OCC’s Class of 2026 is diverse, spanning a wide age range, from our youngest graduate, 16, to our oldest, 81. Additionally, OCC has 23 states represented in the graduating class and 189 international student graduates from 35 countries. OCC will provide a live streaming of the ceremony on OCC’s Commencement website.
What: 78th Commencement Ceremony
When: May 22, 2026 – 5:30 p.m.
Where: Pacific Amphitheatre – OC Fair & Event Center
(100 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, CA 92626)
Parking: Parking is available at Lots B and C. Enter Gate #1/Main Gate or Gate #2 on Fair Dr. and Vanguard.
Contact: Juan Gutierrez, Marketing and Public Relations, (714) 432-5725