Highline College

Highline College holds its annual commencement in June to celebrate graduates who have completed their program requirements. Participation is optional; students must apply to graduate and RSVP for the ceremony.

On the day, the ceremony includes a processional, formal addresses from college leaders, degree conferral (graduates walk the stage, receive a diploma cover, and return to their seats), followed by a recessional.

Academic Regalia – Cap, Gown & Tassel

All graduates participating in commencement are required to wear traditional academic regalia: a black graduation gown and a black mortarboard cap.

Tassels are provided with the gown package and initially worn on the right side of the cap. After receiving the diploma cover, graduates are instructed to move their tassels to the left side, signifying the transition from candidate to graduate.

Highline College Graduation Regalia — Cap, Gown & Tassel

Celebrate your graduation with the official‑style cap and gown set recommended by Highline College. This classic academic regalia includes:

• Black graduation gown (standard mortarboard style)
• Black mortarboard graduation cap
• Graduation tassel (initially placed on right side, to be moved left upon degree conferral)

Optional add‑ons (sold separately): honor cords & stoles — ideal for:

• Honor students (GPA ≥ 3.5) — “Double gold” honor cord
• Honor society (Phi Theta Kappa) — Yellow cord with PTK logo
• Veterans — Red, white & blue cord
• Legal Studies graduates — Black & gold cord
• Special groups — e.g. MESA (white stole with rainbow ends), Accessibility Resources (rainbow cord), student support organizations (custom stoles)

Important: Highline College does not publish a public master’s‑hood or discipline‑specific tassel color chart — tassel/hood color per major must be verified separately. This listing reflects only the standard, College‑approved regalia policy based on the 2024 Commencement Program.

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Highline College, you can reach out directly to the college's administration or the office responsible for commencement and student services. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding academic regalia.