Collin College will celebrate the accomplishments of Spring 2026 graduation candidates with two commencement ceremonies at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Friday, May 15, at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center, 200 E. Stacy Road in Allen. Doors open for graduates at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. for the two ceremonies.
Aaron Demerson will deliver the commencement address at the 11 a.m. ceremony. Demerson serves as president and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, a private, nonprofit organization that markets Texas as a premier domestic and global destination for business relocation, retention, and expansion. He previously served as the commissioner representing employers, appointed by Governor Greg Abbott, for the Texas Workforce Commission, where he advocated for over 660,000 employers and over three million small businesses. His extensive state service also includes leading economic development and tourism initiatives under Governor Rick Perry and holding various leadership roles within the Texas Economic Development Agency. A graduate of Texas A&M University-Kingsville, he has also participated in prestigious civilian programs hosted by the Army War College and the National Training Center.
Ed Drain, Plano police chief will deliver the commencement address at the 4 p.m. ceremony. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Drain served as an explosive ordnance disposal officer and was awarded a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq before retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 2007. Drain began his law enforcement career with the Plano Police Department in 1994, serving in patrol, the Neighborhood Police Unit, and the SWAT team before progressing to the rank of captain. Throughout his distinguished career, Drain has held several executive leadership roles, including serving as the police chief for the city of Amarillo. In 2020, he returned to lead the Plano Police Department as chief. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Amberton University. Drain and his wife, Linda, a retired assistant district attorney, are long-standing members of the Plano community.
For more information about commencement, view the graduation information page.
Collin College serves approximately 60,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 200 degrees and certificates, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Cybersecurity, a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Construction Management, a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Clinical Operations Management, and a new Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Software Development. The only public college based in Collin County, Collin College is a partner to business, government, and industry, providing customized training and workforce development. For more information, visit www.collin.edu.
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