Commencement

I found real joy in recognizing how much I didn’t know — letting go of my assumptions and rediscovering learning through a process supported by instructors who were deeply invested in helping those ‘lightbulb’ moments happen.

Rather than waiting for an ideal moment, I learned to integrate education into my real life as it was. That balancing act became one of the most meaningful aspects of my experience, reinforcing that growth and ambition don’t have to be postponed while building a career and a family.

After my first course, something shifted: I could feel my definition of ‘what’s next’ getting larger. It felt like both a gift and a responsibility — the chance to choose a different use for my skills and my time.

Every course sharpened my ability to think about ventures not just as missions, but as institutions. The academic rigor pushed me to stress-test assumptions I had been carrying for years. When my thinking held up under that pressure, I trusted it more. When it didn’t, I rebuilt it — better.

I absolutely fell in love. I felt alive and joyful in a new way. After that first class, I decided to go through the full admissions process and apply for the degree program.