Aims Community College’s Commencement Ceremonies are formal ceremonies that celebrate graduates’ academic accomplishments. Aims is committed to celebrating the academic and cocurricular achievements of graduating students, as well as honoring the unique cultures and identities of our graduates. See Procedure 107-03 for more information about required Commencement attire as well as opportunities for additional adornment.
Cap and Gown Regalia
Graduates are required to wear a black gown, black cap, and either the black and red tassel OR the PTK gold tassel. Both tassels cannot be worn at the same time.
Souvenir tassels are not permitted on the cap for the ceremony.
Cap Decorations
Aims welcomes the tasteful decorating of your black graduation cap. Please be respectful of other graduates who may be sitting behind you. All decorations must be flat to the top of the cap. Any decorations that raise the height will not be allowed and will be asked to be removed.
Cultural, Religious, and Tribal Adornment
Graduates may wear objects of cultural, religious, or tribal significance as adornment with their graduation attire. Adornments cannot replace or completely cover required attire.
Approved Accessories
The following stoles, cords, and pins provided by formally recognized programs, departments, clubs, and organizations may be worn for the ceremony.
Stoles
Black with Red trim – Student Government Association or Campus Activity Programmers
To celebrate and acknowledge the Student Government Association and Campus Activities Program Board Student Leaders.
Black with Teal trim – MOSAIC
The MOSAIC graduation stole represents consistent engagement with the MOSAIC office and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as guiding principles and practices for leadership and community building.
Blue with Gold trim - Finish What You Started Program
Students who graduated with an Aims degree while enrolled in the Finish What You Started Program.
Gold with PTK logo - Phi Theta Kappa, Beta Kappa Lambda Chapter
Identifies students who are active members of the Beta Kappa Lambda chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society at Aims. Active member status is earned by contributions to chapter functions through acts of scholarship, leadership, fellowship, and/or service.
Light Blue with Dark Blue trim - ECE and EDU Department
Identifies degree-earning Education majors who showed dedication to professional development and personal growth.
Navy Blue with LULAC Seal – League of Latin American Citizens, Aims Student Chapter
Worn by student officers of LULAC to acknowledge their hard work and commitment to the organization. Officers in our organization are not only striving for academic excellence but they are also contributing to foster a better Latine/x community in and outside of Aims.
Purple with Gold trim - Creative Writing Club
This accessory is meant to show the dedicated writers and creative minds of students.
Red - Early College Academy
Only awarded in the Spring to students who have graduated from the Early College Academy high school.
Red with Black trim- Automotive Programs
The Automotive Discipline does not offer any sort of recognition opportunity for students; this [stole] accomplishes that and adds a sense of accomplishment, camaraderie, and group pride.
Red with White trim - Nursing Program
Identifies students who have successfully completed the Nursing Program.
Silver – National Society of Leadership and Success
Signifies students who have completed all steps in the Foundations of Leadership program.
Silver with Red trim - Aviation Programs
Identifies students who have completed a Professional Pilot, General Aviation Pilot, Air Traffic Control, or Unmanned Aircraft Systems degree.
Teal with Black trim - Arty's Recovery Connection
Identifies students who have served at least one semester as an Arty's Recovery Connection Student Facilitator.
White with Aims2UNC Logo - Aims2UNC Program
The Aims2UNC stole signifies a student's participation in the Aims2UNC program. The Aims2UNC program is a holistic transition program designed to help students move seamlessly from Aims Community College to the University of Northern Colorado.
White with SALUTE emblem - SALUTE Veteran National Honor Society
Identifies student veterans who are inducted into SALUTE, and have maintained a 3.5 - 4.0 GPA from induction to graduation.
White with Blue trim – Women in Aviation, Aims Student Chapter
Recognizes students for their hard work within the student organization and their commitment to diversity within aviation.
White with Seafoam trim - The Reisher Bridge Scholars Program
Identifies students who are participants in the Aims Reisher Bridge Scholar Program. Students in the program are committed to pursuing a bachelor's degree at one of nine designated Reisher Scholars Universities within Colorado and aspire to be accepted into the Reisher Scholars program at their chosen university.
Cords
Black/Dark Green/White – Seeds Leadership Program
By completing the Seeds Leadership program, hosted by the MOSAIC office, students will receive a graduation cord and certificate reflecting their accomplishments and continued dedication to leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Blue/Gold - Phi Theta Kappa, Beta Kappa Lambda Chapter
Identifies registered student members of the Beta Kappa Lambda Chapter.
Green/Gold – Aims English Honor Society (Sigma Kappa Delta)
Signifies registered student members of Sigma Kappa Delta, the national English Honor Society for two-year colleges.
Kelly Green/Gold/Orange - Migrant Student Services
Cords worn by these graduates represent their connection to and participation in the Migrant Student Services program, celebrating their journey and accomplishments.
Peacock blue - Public Safety Bachelor of Applied Science
Identifies students who have met all the requirements for their Public Safety Bachelor of Applied Science degree.
Red/White – Student Nursing Association
This cord is meant to emphasize the contributions of these students who have gone above and beyond to provide service to our community and the college.
Red/Black/White – TRIO Student Support Services
TRIO students who meet all requirements of TRIO and Aims, and are very proud of their hard work. Recognizing them and setting them apart from everyone else is vital to their confidence and their desire to continue their education.
Red/White/Blue, braided - SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society
Identifies inducted members of SALUTE at Aims who have maintained a 3.0 - 3.49 GPA from induction to graduation.
Red/White/Blue, straight – Veteran Services
Signifies Military Active Duty or an Honorably Discharged Veteran.
Silver/Black - Aims Games Club
Identifies active student club members who are in good standing with the club.
Pins
Aims Games Club
For service and membership of the Aims Games Club, completing all the fetch quests, and saving the animals.
Agricultural Sciences and Technology Department
Identifies students who have graduated with an Agricultural Sciences and Technology degree.
Business and CIS Departments
To acknowledge students whose academic work or leadership in class has made a positive impact on their classmates and their faculty members.
Civic Engagement Council
They indicate three levels of commitment to and participation in civic engagement opportunities while enrolled at Aims (Bronze, Silver, and Gold).
English Department
Identifies students who have graduated with a degree in English.
Medical Preparation
To set the Medical Preparation students apart as a closed cohort and to honor their hard work in completing this program.
Nursing Students
An honor awarded to nursing students upon completing their degree. During a ceremonial event, students invite someone significant to their educational journey to pin the honor on them.
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), Aims Chapter
This officer's pin signifies the student's role and leadership experience within the organization.
Radiologic Technology Program
Identifies students who have graduated from the Radiologic Technology Program.
Student Advising Mentor program
Identifies students who have been a part of the Student Advising Mentor program.
Women in Aviation, Aims Chapter
To recognize students who participated in this volunteer organization.
