Greetings, Heller Community.
When I decided to go to graduate school, a lot of people in my life assumed it was just a phase I’d quickly move past. I was finally somewhat stable in my career, very introverted, and risk-averse, so the idea of launching into the unknown seemed, well, out of place for me. But deep down, I knew I wanted to pivot into the development field, where I could make a meaningful impact and contribute to real, lasting change. So, I took a leap of faith to come here, to the Heller School.
Like many of you, I came in hoping to gain new skills, knowledge, and maybe even that dream career path. What I didn’t expect was how much I would grow. I leaned into my love for learning, thanks to our incredible professors whose dedication, curiosity, and warmth made every classroom a safe space to think more deeply and engage in passionate conversations with respect and integrity.
At Heller, I found my voice. I found people just as passionate about social justice. And I learned that the best lessons don’t always come from texts but from honest conversations in hallways, breakout rooms, and in shared moments of connection.
This program—COEX—didn’t just sharpen our skills, it strengthened our sense of purpose. It reminded us why we chose this path and gave us the tools to back up our passion with action, reminding us that we’re more than capable of making things happen.
Here I also learned that networking isn’t just about exchanging LinkedIn profiles or going to events and calling it a day. It’s about building community, showing up for one another, holding space, and pushing each other to dream bigger.
As an international student, a black woman, and by many standards, a late bloomer, my journey hasn’t always been easy. But one thing about Heller? You feel like you belong the moment you walk through those doors. The flags in Zinner Forum aren’t just decoration, they’re a celebration of who we are and where we’re from.
A celebration of our stories! In a world that often tries to divide us, here we’ve learned the power of our stories, of listening, lifting each other up, and standing together. That’s the kind of strength the world needs now more than ever.
During this program, I had the privilege of learning alongside classmates doing real work on the front lines of social justice. Their stories were personal and powerful and always rooted in hope. They reminded me that what we do matters. That we matter. And that this complicated, beautiful world is still worth fighting for.
Of course, we didn’t get to this point alone. We’ve all been incredibly fortunate to have a village in our corner rooting for us. For me, it’s my mother, my family and friends across time zones, the entire Heller staff, and all of you in this community.
So let’s take a moment to honor them with a round of applause for our families, friends, professors, and mentors.
As we step into the next chapter, whether it’s a new job, a new country, or a new challenge, I hope we carry this sense of community with us. I hope we keep learning, growing, and standing up for what we believe in.
Most of all, I hope we never forget that we are exactly the kind of people the world needs right now.
Congratulations class of 2025!
Thank you.