144th Spring Commencement

May 8-9, 2026

William “Billy” J. Nicks, Sr. Building (Baby Dome)

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Friday Commencement Speaker

The Honorable Pamela Goynes-Brown ’84
Mayor of North Las Vegas

Pamela Goynes-Brown was elected mayor of North Las Vegas in 2022 and took office Dec. 1, becoming the first Black mayor in Nevada history. A longtime educator, she previously served more than a decade as Ward 2 councilwoman and two terms as the city’s first Black woman mayor pro tempore. She worked for the Clark County School District for 35 years, retiring as an assistant principal, and holds a master’s degree in elementary education from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor’s degree in music education from Prairie View A&M University.

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The Honorable Pamela Goynes-Brown ’84

Saturday Commencement Speaker

Dr. Harry L. Williams
President & CEO of Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)

Dr. Harry L. Williams serves as President & CEO of Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the nation’s foremost organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. Leading TMCF, Dr. Williams oversees its 57 member schools, comprising America’s publicly supported Historically Black Colleges (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), collectively educating 80% of students attending HBCUs.

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Dr. Harry L. Williams

Frequently Asked Questions

The William “Billy” J. Nicks Building (Baby Dome) will open for guests at 4:30 p.m. on Friday.

The Baby Dome will open for guests at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday for the morning ceremony.

The Baby Dome will open for guests at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday for the afternoon ceremony.

On Friday, doctoral and master’s candidates should report to the Student Recreation Center at 5 p.m. On Saturday, candidates for graduation participating in the morning ceremony should report to the Student Recreation Center at 7 a.m. Candidates for graduation participating in the afternoon ceremony should report to the Student Recreation Center at 1 p.m.

Honors recognition at graduation is based on consistent high scholarship and cumulative grade point average based upon the completion of a minimum of 60 semester credit hours earned at Prairie View A&M University. Developmental courses will not be included in the computation of the GPA for graduating with honors. Students graduating with honors will be recognized at commencement by wearing gold honor stoles and by public announcement during the ceremony.

The specific honors levels are as follows:

  • 3.90 – 4.00 GPA = Summa Cum Laude
  • 3.70 – 3.89 GPA = Magna Cum Laude
  • 3.50 – 3.69 GPA = Cum Laude

Honors cords will be distributed at graduation rehearsal.

Updates or changes to the ceremony due to inclement weather will be made available on PVAMU’s homepage, official social media channels, Campus Announcements, and the Panther Alert System.

Yes. View the clear bag policy below.

Approved Bags

  • Bags that are clear plastic and do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12″
  • One-gallon clear resealable plastic storage bags
  • Small clutch bags or purses do not have to be clear but cannot exceed 4.5″ x 6.5″

Prohibited Bags

  • Purses
  • Printed pattern plastic bags
  • Diaper bags*
  • Reusable grocery totes
  • Cases (camera, binoculars, etc.)
  • Backpacks
  • Fanny packs
  • Mesh or straw bags
  • Duffle bags
  • Large totes

*Items normally carried in a diaper bag must be put into a clear plastic bag for venue entry.

  • Horns or artificial noisemakers
  • Umbrellas
  • Fireworks
  • Lawn chairs or folding chairs
  • Backpacks or bags
  • Illegal substances, weapons, or firearms
  • Bicycles or skateboards
  • Coolers, bottles, cans, or other containers
  • Food
  • Infant seats or strollers

Yes. All graduates will have the opportunity to cross the stage where their names will be called, and their diploma covers will be received.

The ceremony is expected to last two hours.

Starting March 25 through May 1, candidates for graduation will only be able to apply for “conferral only.” “Conferral only” candidates will not be able to participate in the spring commencement ceremony, and their names will not be listed in the commencement program. Their diplomas, however, will be mailed to the most recent mailing address in PantherTracks.

Schedule an appointment to speak with a financial aid advisor to conduct the exit interview.

Please direct all questions and concerns related to degree retrieval, degree audits, and honors status to the Registrar’s Office at registrar@pvamu.edu. All questions regarding the 143rd Spring Commencement Convocation should be directed to the Office of University Special Events and Protocol at events@pvamu.edu.