At Morgan State University’s 2025 spring undergraduate commencement, dozens of nontraditional students—many of them parents, full-time workers, and returning learners—crossed the graduation stage with pride.
For many, the moment was made possible because of the College of Interdisciplinary & Continuing Studies (CICS), the university’s newest division designed to help adult learners navigate higher education while balancing life.
The ceremony, held on May 17 at Hughes Stadium, featured a keynote address from Thasunda Brown Duckett, president and CEO of TIAA, who spoke about the importance of perseverance and personal strength in the face of challenges.
“Your character represents your ownable assets – those parts of you that no one can ever take away, even if the road to greatness comes with setbacks,” said Brown-Duckett while addressing the graduates. “We know how to persevere through setbacks because we have faith that something positive is on the other side.”
“The path wasn’t always easy. It may have taken you longer to get here than you thought. But you persevered. You chased that vision and along the way you probably convinced some doubters,” said Brown Duckett, in a message that particularly resonated with nontraditional graduates.
Emma Minnis, student success manager for CICS, spoke about the unique hurdles that adult learners face, from time constraints to financial stress and unfamiliar technology.
“Many of our students have families and limited resources, which often stops them from continuing their education,” said Minnis. “We support them with step-by-step tech tutorials and personalized advising to help them navigate these hurdles.”
Minis emphasized that adult learners aren’t “set in their ways,” as often assumed, but are balancing complex lives while bringing valuable real-world experience into their classes.
Willie Davis Jr., a first-generation college graduate, said earning his degree at 53 brings him joy, especially as he hopes to inspire his children to pursue even higher levels of education. He recalled how, after attending junior college in Tennessee, he was drawn to Morgan because of the support offered to adult learners.
“This program, CICS, came across my laptop waving out-of-state tuition, and I jumped on it,” said Davis Jr. “Best decision I ever made in my life. I’m contributing my success to CICS because it gave me the chance to finally finish what I started and do it at an HBCU that felt like home.”
CICS provides mentoring, regular check-ins, and holistic student services—including counseling, food assistance, professional headshots, and resume-building workshops. The program is part of the university’s broader ‘Morgan Completes You’ initiative, which focuses on re-enrollment support, recognition of prior learning, and equity.
“Never opt out of a challenge. The giants whose shoulders you stand on didn’t opt out,” said Brown Duckett. “They changed the world because they opted in and they persevered.”
Looking ahead, Minnis hopes to see expanded services such as childcare and transportation support, more competency-based learning options, and stronger employer partnerships to connect students with career pathways.
“Success at CICS doesn’t end at graduation,” said Minnis. “The college continues supporting alumni with professional development, networking, and career counseling to ensure that education remains a lifelong journey.”
Sherrie Brooks, a CICS graduate, said earning her degree felt like a full-circle moment after years of perseverance. She credited the program for helping her turn what once seemed like a distant goal into a tangible reality.
“It’s been a long journey, but it was definitely worth it,” said Brooks. “Graduating from Morgan is my biggest accomplishment so far, and doing it on my birthday made it even more surreal.”
Brooks said she often felt overwhelmed juggling her full-time job and academic responsibilities, but credits her faith, family, and support from CICS staff for helping her push through moments of doubt.
“I thought about giving up more times than I can count,” she said. “But there was always some source of encouragement around me that would speak life into me when I felt defeated. I realized waking up each day was proof I wasn’t given up on—so why should I give up on myself?”
In her keynote address, Brown Duckett encouraged graduates to embrace challenges rather than shy away from them. She reminded the class of 2025 that their success was built on the legacy of those who came before them—trailblazers who faced adversity head-on.
“Never opt out of a challenge. The giants whose shoulders you stand on didn’t opt out,” she said. “They changed the world because they opted in and they persevered.”
The University awarded degrees to 1,022 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral candidates during its two Commencement ceremonies—surpassing last year’s total by more than 180. The graduating class included 288 Latin Honors recipients, a record 60 doctoral graduates, and 16 students who earned perfect 4.0 GPAs.
Morgan’s Spring graduates included countless exemplars of excellence, five of whom received special recognition with presidential awards. Godsheritage Adeoye (B.S., Computer Science), Morelys Los Urbano (B.S., Multimedia Journalism), and Emmanuel Durojaiye (B.S., Industrial Engineering) were honored with the President’s Second Mile Award for outstanding leadership and contributions to student life. Loretta Gray (B.S., Family and Consumer Sciences) and Catherine Scharbach (B.S., Interior Design) received the President’s Award for Exceptional Creative Achievement.
Among the notable academic milestones, three students became the first to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mechatronics Engineering, one of Morgan’s newest programs supporting the future of work. The university also celebrated its first-ever graduate to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre.
