Celebrating Achievements: Aims Community College Hosts Spring Commencement

Aims Community College celebrates graduating students on Friday, May 15, in the Aims Welcome Center, 4901 West 20th Street in Greeley. A commencement ceremony for Arts & Sciences graduates begins at 11 a.m. The second ceremony for Allied Health & Wellness, Business & Technology, Public Safety, Education and Transportation graduates is at 3 p.m. 

Below are a few facts about Aims students participating in the Spring 2026 commencement:

• 490 students will take part in the official commencement ceremonies
• Graduates range in age from 15 to 72
• 1,289 students graduated or are potentially graduating
• 2,210 credentials are being awarded or potentially awarded (students may get multiple credentials)

• The following are to be awarded:
  • 273 Associate of Arts Degrees
  • 47 Associate of Science Degrees
  • 54 Associate of General Studies Degrees
  • 193 Associate of Applied Science Degrees
  • 1 Associate of Engineering Science Degree
  • 7 Bachelor of Applied Science Degrees
  • 1,635 Certificates

Meet Aims Spring 2026 Graduates

• Brian Bernal is a non-traditional student who returned to education after years of physically demanding jobs. He shifted gears, focusing on Psychology at Aims, and plans to study Human Services at the University of Northern Colorado. Bernal became involved in various student activities and served as the President of the Aims Student Government Association. 
   
• Felicia Gonzalez-Soto came to Aims to begin a journey into veterinary medicine, an area that she has always been drawn towards. She is completing an Associate Degree in Animal Science and plans to transfer to Colorado State University to complete a bachelor’s degree and eventually attend vet school. 
   
• Jose Leon transformed from a disengaged student at Northridge High School in Greeley into a high-achieving English major at Aims. His path as a first-generation college student highlights resilience, academic growth and a renewed sense of purpose shaping his path toward the University of Colorado Boulder.

• Elizabeth Spayd turned a bold investment into a thriving mobile boutique while earning two associate degrees: one in Business Management and one in Marketing Management. Elizabeth also completed a certificate in Small Business Management. Her story blends real-world hustle with classroom strategy, proving education and ambition can grow side by side.
   
• Get to know more graduates as they reflect on what Aims has meant to them and share where they’re headed next. 

Commencement Event Information

Seating for the live ceremony in the auditorium is limited. Tickets are required to view the ceremony in person. Students who are eligible to participate in the ceremony received an access code after registration to order digital tickets.

Guests can watch a livestream of commencement from home or view a live feed in the Welcome Center Ballrooms if they don’t have a ticket for a seat in the auditorium. 

When attending commencement at the Welcome Center, please note the following: 

• Doors open to guests 90 minutes before the ceremony.
• Accessible parking is available in the Welcome Center's north parking lot. Vehicles must display a placard or license plate.
• A designated drop-off area will be at the Welcome Center in the north lot.
• To expedite Welcome Center entry, Aims has implemented a clear bag policy that limits the types and sizes of bags allowed into the venue. Metal detectors will also be in use.
• Guests will be asked to return prohibited items to their vehicle or otherwise dispose of them upon entry. This includes:
  • Air horns or other loud noisemakers
  • Balloons or anything that could obstruct the view of other guests
  • Food and beverages, except water, in clear bottles
  • Firearms, knives, and other weapons

There are more upcoming celebrations for Aims students. These include:

• Fire Academy Graduation | May 16 | 10 a.m. | Welcome Center | Greeley Campus
• Police Academy Graduation | May 16 | 12:30 p.m. | Welcome Center | Greeley Campus
• EMS Graduation | May 16 | 3 p.m. | Welcome Center | Greeley Campus

To request accommodations for these events, call 970-339-6388 or email disabilities@aims.edu. 

Find more information at aims.co/commencement.