Student Commencement Speaker Series, Part 2: Khadijah Buckman's Journey from Balance to Breakthrough

When Khadijah Buckman found out she’d been selected as one of the Student Commencement Speakers for Bryant & Stratton College’s Albany Campus, she felt something powerful: pure excitement, paired with the challenge of figuring out how to make the moment count.

“At first, I didn’t realize being selected to give the commencement speech was such a big honor,” she recalled. “I honestly thought I was simply being asked to share my own personal journey. When I found out I would be representing the entire graduating class, I was extremely happy.” That excitement quickly turned into motivation, as she asked herself how she could best speak for every student in her class.

It’s a feeling many honorees can relate to with the responsibility of speaking not just for yourself, but for an entire class of people who each fought their own battles to reach graduation day.

Finding the Bigger Story

As she sat down to write, Khadijah realized her personal experience was really everyone’s experience. “As I reflected on my own journey, I realized there was no way I was the only student who had faced challenges, setbacks, self-doubt, and obstacles while pursuing my degree,” she explained. “With tears in my eyes, I began writing. I wanted my speech to be bigger than my story.”

Rather than focusing solely on her own accomplishments, Khadijah built her speech around resilience, perseverance, and the belief that struggle doesn’t label a person. “I wanted my classmates to know that their struggles did not define them and that every challenge they overcame helped lead them to graduation day,” she added.

A Journey Built on Balance

Khadijah’s own path to graduation was anything but simple. As a student, a mother, and an aspiring entrepreneur, she often found herself pulled in every direction at once. “There were times when it felt like I was being pulled in multiple directions,” she reflected. “There were moments when the workload felt overwhelming and times when I questioned myself, but giving up was never an option.”

That determination comes from her desire to build something lasting for herself and family. “To me, entrepreneurship represents freedom, leadership, and the ability to create opportunities for others,” she shared. Khadijah earned her AAS in Accounting to pursue a career that could become the foundation to building a legacy. Something that will last beyond her own lifetime and create opportunities for future generations of her family.

Khadijah’s commitment to her education also showed up in her results. She earned eight leadership awards during her time at Bryant & Stratton and made the Dean’s List every single semester, a true testament to the same balance and perseverance that carried her through to graduation.

The People Who Made the Difference

Khadijah was quick to point out that she didn’t get to this moment alone. Several people at B&SC played a role in shaping her journey. Lara Marcus, President of the Business Club, encouraged her to step into leadership and gave her the opportunity to serve as Vice President. Tony Richards, the Business Club Director, offered guidance that went beyond academics and helped her recognize opportunities in her own entrepreneurial ambitions and encourage her to think bigger about her future. And Peter Jones, her Academic Advisor, was a steady source of support and encouragement throughout her time at Bryant & Stratton College.

“Together, these relationships helped me build confidence, develop leadership skills, and believe in my ability to achieve goals that once felt out of reach,” Khadijah noted. “Their support played a big part in helping me become the student, leader, and graduate I am today.”

A Message That Stayed with the Room

When Khadijah finally delivered her speech, she didn’t focus on hitting one perfect line. She focused on the feeling behind her words. “I wanted them to know that they were not alone in their struggles and that every obstacle they overcame mattered,” she explained. The response was immediate and emotional. “When I finished speaking, many of my classmates, faculty, and staff came up to me with tears in their eyes to give me hugs and share how much the speech meant to them.”

For Khadijah, that reaction confirmed she had accomplished exactly what she set out to do. “I hope they remember that their challenges do not define them; their resilience does,” she said. “No matter where life takes them next, they have already proven they can overcome difficult circumstances and achieve their goals.”

She sums up her outlook on the entire experience and life after graduation, in one powerful line: “Being resilient doesn’t mean life was easy. It means life got vicious, and you kept going anyway.”

Carrying the Message Forward

Khadijah’s story is a reminder that commencement speeches aren’t just ceremonial traditions but also opportunities to turn personal struggle into collective strength. As we continue our Student Commencement Speaker Series, Khadijah’s message stands as a testament to what’s possible when resilience meets purpose.

Keep an eye out for our next graduate spotlight in this series and catch up on more Bryant & Stratton College alumni stories here!