CIIS' 56th Commencement Ceremony and Reception

You've worked hard and thought deeply, and your efforts have culminated in a remarkable achievement: you're ready to graduate! CIIS' graduation ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 18 at the Sydney Goldstein Theater, and will feature performances and speeches to help you mark this momentous occasion.  Doors will open at 12 pm, and the event will run until 3 pm. Following the ceremony, there will be a jubilant and musical procession back to CIIS’ Mission campus, followed by a celebratory reception, to which all are welcome.

Tickets and RSVP

The Sydney Goldstein Theater provides space for CIIS graduates to bring up to three loved ones as guests.

Get your tickets here

Additional tickets may become available as the date approaches. All commencement information and updates will be emailed to your MyMail.

Please also help us plan for your attendance by completing this brief form to let us know if you'll be attending the graduation commencement this year.

• RSVP for Graduates
• RSVP for Faculty/Staff

Please save items such as balloons, flowers, confetti for your post-commencement festivities as they are not permitted inside the theater.

Graduation Reception

After the commencement ceremony, CIIS will host a continued celebration for our graduates and the entire CIIS community with a graduation reception at Mission Campus (1453 Mission St. San Francisco) from 3 pm to 6 pm.

Livestream

We will livestream the 2024 CIIS Commencement Ceremony for those graduates and guests who cannot attend. The zoom link will be posted on this webpage a week before the ceremony.

Regalia

The last day to order graduation regalia is April 23, 2024, at 8:59 pm PST. 

Order your regalia here

Accessibility

Please request guest accommodations via the ticketing system. For graduating student accommodations, please fill the student accessibility form. If you have a disability and need reasonable accommodations for this event and selected “Special Seating” on the Graduation Application, please email osas@ciis.edu. Please know that some accommodations (e.g. sign language interpretation, and real time captioning) may take longer to arrange.  The Sydney Goldstein Theater main entrance is wheelchair-accessible.

We strive ensure the comfort and safety of our graduates, faculty, staff, and guests by encouraging a smoke free and a scent and fragrance free environment. Please help us to accommodate our community members who are sensitive to fragrances and other scented products.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements

Per current San Francisco Department of Public Health recommendations about COVID safety, we will NOT require vaccine verification, health screening or masks for this event but we strongly advise the following:

• Being up to date with vaccines and boosters
• Staying home if you have any active symptoms
• Wearing a mask if you or someone you live with is immune compromised or otherwise vulnerable
• Practicing good hand hygiene
• Being considerate of others who may be wearing masks or keeping a safe distance out of comfort or to protect themselves

Exception Request

Graduates from the summer 2023, fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters are eligible to walk in the ceremony. Other students can request an exception by submitting this form.

Request Exception

Parking around Sydney Goldstein Theater

Parking is available at:

• The Civic Center Plaza Garage (355 McAllister St between Polk St and Larkin St)
• Performing Arts Garage (360 Grove St at Gough St)
• 110 Franklin Street (at Oak Street)
• Star Park (69 Polk Street)

Please plan plenty of extra time to arrive at the commencement ceremony and do not depend on street parking availability.

Posting on Social Media?

We love to see our graduates celebrating this magnificent milestone, if you share please feel free to tag us @ciis_sf.

CIIS Alumni Association

The CIIS Alumni Association looks forward to welcoming you! We are thrilled to have the chance to celebrate this special time. Please take a moment to visit our webpage at to see the benefits and career support available to you as a CIIS alum.