Ceremony Information
Spring 2026 Commencement
Empire State University is excited to announce the dates for Spring Commencement, with ceremonies planned across New York state.
Students who are eligible to participate in Spring 2026 Commencement will receive email communications to their student email address (@sunyempire.edu) beginning in February or as they become eligible through the March 22 eligibility deadline. Email communications will contain a link to register to attend: all students looking to participate in a commencement ceremony must register.
Ceremony dates, locations, and venue details will be available on this page and updates
will be added as we approach the ceremonies.
Ceremony Locations
A ceremony will be hosted at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, NY.
Friday, May 29, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Empire State Plaza Convention Center
279 Madison Ave.
Albany, NY 12242
More details, including what to expect at this specific venue, will be added to this page.
Any student who meets the eligibility requirements for participation in the spring 2026 commencement ceremonies is invited to attend this ceremony. All commencement-eligible students are encouraged to choose their ceremony location based on what is most convenient to them.
Two ceremonies will be hosted at the New York City Center in Manhattan, NY, on Wednesday, May 20, and Thursday, May 21, 2026.
New York City Center
131 W 55th St. (between Sixth and Seventh avenues)
New York, NY 10019
Commencement-eligible students who would like to attend a ceremony in Manhattan should select the day according to the list of colleges below. If you are unsure of which college your degree is affiliated with, please reach out to the commencement team at commencement@sunyempire.edu.
A ceremony for the following colleges will be hosted at the New York City Center in Manhattan, NY, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 6 p.m.:
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Business
- College of Education
A ceremony for the following colleges will be hosted at the New York City Center in Manhattan, NY, on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 6 p.m.:
- College of Health and Human Services
- College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
A ceremony will be hosted at the Kodak Center in Rochester, NY.
Friday, May 8, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Kodak Center
200 W Ridge Rd.
Rochester, NY 14615
More details, including what to expect at this specific venue, will be added to this page.
Any student who meets the eligibility requirements for participation in the spring 2026 commencement ceremonies is invited to attend this ceremony. All commencement-eligible students are encouraged to choose their ceremony location based on what is most convenient to them.
Follow Us on Social
Share your commencement celebration photos and quotes with @SUNYEmpire on social media! Post a selfie, photo of a grad you are proud of, or any other celebratory photo and be sure to tag @SUNYEmpire.
Notice of Photographic & Media Recording
When you attend an Empire State University commencement ceremony, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to such photography, audio, and video recording and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for Empire State University’s promotional and marketing purposes now and in the future.