115th Summer Commencement
Saturday, August 8, 2026
9 a.m.
William “Billy” J. Nicks, Sr. Building (Baby Dome)
Candidates
College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
School of Architecture
Marvin D. and June Samuel Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences
College of Business
Whitlowe R. Green College of Education
Roy G. Perry College of Engineering
College of Juvenile Justice
College of Nursing
School of Public and Allied Health
Undergraduate Studies
Doctoral and Master’s Candidates
Rehearsal
Friday, August 7, 2026 at 8:30 am
William “Billy” J. Nicks, Sr. Building (Baby Dome)
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The William “Billy” J. Nicks Building (Baby Dome) will open for guests at 5 p.m. on Friday.
The Baby Dome will open for guests at 7 a.m. on Saturday for the morning ceremony.
The Baby Dome will open for guests at 1 p.m. on Saturday for the afternoon 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.
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
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 144th Spring Commencement Convocation should be directed to the Office of University Special Events and Protocol at events@pvamu.edu.