Commencement

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Helpful Links:

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There are eight numbered tickets for all students planning to attend the ceremony. Each graduate requires a ticket for entry. This leaves seven tickets for our graduates to share with family and friends.

All guest entries require a ticket, except children ages 3 and under who will sit on their guardian’s lap. Please ensure your guests receive their tickets before Commencement to facilitate a smooth entry process on May 16. We cannot accommodate lost tickets, and ACPHS reserves the right to refuse entry.

2026 Ticket Policy

• We have created envelopes with eight numbered tickets for all students planning to attend the ceremony. Each graduate requires one of these tickets for entry. This leaves seven tickets to share with family and friends.

• All guest entries require a ticket. Please give your guests their tickets before Commencement to facilitate a smooth entry process on May 16.

• Children ages 3 and under who will sit on their guardian’s lap do not require a ticket.

• We cannot accommodate students who lose tickets, and the College reserves the right to refuse entry.

• Only students who are attending graduation will be issued tickets.

Ticket Pick-Up

• Tickets will be available for pick up in the Student Life Suite (SC 207) on the second floor of the Gozzo Student Center beginning on April 20.

• Pickup times for tickets will occur:

Monday, April 20 – Thursday, May 14  

• • Monday through Thursday: 10 am – 4 pm

• • Friday: 10 am to 3 pm

Friday, May 15 

• • 10 am to 1 pm
• Each student will be required to sign to receive their tickets.
• All tickets must be picked up no later than Friday, May 15 at 1 pm. This should provide ample time for students in residency or off campus to retrieve their tickets. We are unable to share your tickets with friends or classmates or mail them to students.

• If none of these pick-up times are possible, please email OSEL@acphs.edu to coordinate a different time.

Extra Tickets

• If you will not be using all your guest tickets, please email OSEL@acphs.edu and indicate how many tickets you will not be needing by April 15.  These will then be made available for students who are requesting additional tickets.

• There are a limited number of extra tickets that will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you wish to request up to three (3) additional tickets, please send your request by April 15 to https://bit.ly/ExtraCommencementTix.

Each ticket includes a QR code that brings you to the Commencement web page with event details and parking instructions for any last-minute questions or concerns.

Albany Capital Center
55 Eagle Street
Albany, NY 12207

Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 10 am

Helpful Information:

• Doors open at 8:30 am
• Graduating students and families should arrive between 8:30 – 9:15 am
• Faculty and staff should arrive by 9 am
• Tickets will be collected upon entry. Guest seating is first-come, first-served.
• The ceremony will last 2 – 2 ½ hours

Note: There are several events taking place in downtown Albany on May 16, so we recommend attendees arrive early to avoid traffic and to secure parking.

Directions:

• See parking directions to Albany Capital Center

Parking:

• Albany Capital Center Lot – 7 Wendell Street (entrance on the side of the building) off Howard Street. Take the elevator to level C1 (Lobby). Please watch the Parking Directional Video. You will need your license plate number for payment at the lobby kiosk.

• MVP Lot – Entrances are located on both Market Street and Beaver Street. Park on levels 3 or 5 for direct access to Capital Center. Follow signs to Albany Capital Center. Take the elevator to level C1 (Lobby). Please watch the Parking Directional Video. You will need your license plate number for payment at the lobby kiosk.

Other nearby parking:

• Grand Street Lot – 45 Grand Street, Albany, New York,12207 is available at no cost

• Green Hudson Garage – 45 Hudson Ave, Albany, New York, 12207. $15/parking – Cash Only

• On-street parking is also available in downtown Albany

For more information on directions and parking, please visit the following resources:

• Albany Capital Center

• Parking Directional Video

• Virtual Tour of Floor Plans

Complimentary shuttle service will be available for ACPHS Commencement ceremony guests on Saturday, May 16. Reservations are required.

Please note, shuttles will pick up guests outside the Gozzo Center. These guests can park in Lot C on campus. There is no fee for parking on campus.

The shuttles will make two trips to the Capital Center: one at 8:15 am and the second at 8:45 am, so please plan your arrival to campus accordingly.

Those who have reserved seats in advance can take shuttle service back to campus following the ceremony, where there will be a festive reception for all graduates, their family and friends, and the campus community. Shuttle pick up from the ceremony will be at the front entrance of the Capital Center.

Space on the shuttle is limited so only those that register in advance will have a secure seat both to and from the ceremony.

 Reserve your seat(s) here. 

The Albany Capital Center is fully ADA compliant.

• ADA access is provided at all parking levels and at the main entrance with an integral ramped entrance to the main lobby at Level 1 and full elevator access to all levels including parking.
• Provisions have been made for the charging of motorized conveyance, restrooms are fully accessible, Braille signage and universal symbols are in use.
• Audio & visual aids are employed throughout the facility to ensure the highest level of service for the convention and meeting attendees.
• Floors surfaces are continuous with minimalized transitions.

The ceremony will last 2 – 2 ½ hours. There is one scheduled guest speaker, and each graduate walks across the stage to receive their diploma.

Professional photographers will be onsite during Commencement. Photos will be shared on the Commencement webpage and via social media channels.

Note: Participants and attendees at the 2026 Commencement may be included in images and video footage shared with the campus community and the public.

Share your photos using #ACPHSGrad

• ACPHS Facebook

• ACPHS Instagram

• ACPHS YouTube

Patricia (Patty) Tompkins, Events Manager patricia.tompkins@acphs.edu