CELEBRATING THE NEWEST SNHU ALUMNI!
By Melanie Drolet ’16
On November 18, 2023, Southern New Hampshire University welcomed graduates from all 50 states and 50 countries to the SNHU Arena. Our three fall ceremonies celebrated 2,700 associate degrees, 14,000 bachelor’s degrees, 5,700 master’s degrees, and eight doctoral degrees. Graduates ranged from ages 14 to 85. Our 22,500 eligible Fall 2023 graduates, including 2,572 military-affiliated learners, have joined a community of more than 230,000 SNHU alumni.
Read on to meet some of our newest graduates, and check out some of our favorite moments on video at alumni.snhu.edu/classof2023.
CELEBRATING THE NEWEST SNHU ALUMNI!
By Melanie Drolet ’16
On November 18, 2023, Southern New Hampshire University welcomed graduates from all 50 states and 50 countries to the SNHU Arena. Our three fall ceremonies celebrated 2,700 associate degrees, 14,000 bachelor’s degrees, 5,700 master’s degrees, and eight doctoral degrees. Graduates ranged from ages 14 to 85. Our 22,500 eligible Fall 2023 graduates, including 2,572 military-affiliated learners, have joined a community of more than 230,000 SNHU alumni.
Read on to meet some of our newest graduates, and check out some of our favorite moments on video at alumni.snhu.edu/classof2023.
Eyleen Dias ’24 moved to the United States from Brazil when she was 16, and quickly learned English and adjusted to life in the United States. Adapting to a new language, environment, and way of learning was tough on Eyleen, but she forged through and graduated from high school with a 4.00 GPA and several honors. When Eyleen arrived at SNHU as a freshman, she quickly became engaged actively in campus life. Through her time at SNHU, Eyleen served as a Resident Assistant, a Team IMPACT Fellow, President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and more. As the captain of the Volleyball team, she recently led the team to the NCAA Regional Quarters. Eyleen graduated from SNHU in December 2023, nearly two years earlier than anticipated. Eyleen has many accomplishments to be proud of, but she is most proud of her resilience and the connections that she has made at SNHU.
Sheila Barnes ’23 and Sharla Barnes ’23 are identical twin sisters from New York who both earned criminal justice degrees with SNHU. The duo worked as school security officers in the city, and hope to use their education to pursue careers in the court system.
Marilyn Barth ’23, a 75-year-old performing arts instructor and world champion ballroom dancer from Las Vegas, achieved her bachelor’s degree after a remarkable 50-year journey. Marilyn had paused her education to focus on her career and family, but when COVID forced her studio’s closure, she decided to resume her studies while running her business virtually. At Fall Commencement, she earned her general studies degree, and hopes to show her kids and grandkids it’s never too late.
Samiyah Muhammad ’23 and Diana Sanda ’21 ’24G are a couple from Arizona. The duo has taken their share of challenges in stride, facing homelessness, discrimination, and health complications, all while raising their son and earning their degrees. Diana is hoping to use her degree to pursue a new path in IT. Samiyah, leveraging her degree and her journey as a woman of color with disabilities, aspires to transition into advocacy work within the healthcare and justice systems. Samiyah chose to walk with her partner and forgo her own undergraduate ceremony, and graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Roberto King-Williams ’24 is an Army veteran and father of five from Maryland. He managed to finish his psychology degree while juggling two jobs and launching his very own nonprofit organization. Combining his education and personal experience, Roberto hopes to support other service members facing difficulties with substance abuse and mental health.
Josh Tolentino ’23, a U.S. service member, completed his SNHU studies while deployed in the Middle East, wrapping up both his deployment and IT program at the same time. Josh immigrated from the Philippines as a child, and crossed the stage as a first-generation graduate, with a very proud family as his cheering squad.
Luis Nieto Benitez ’23 immigrated from Columbia at age 10 in pursuit of the American Dream. After completing high school, he underwent a brain surgery that temporarily halted his plans to attend college. After two unsuccessful attempts in higher ed, he finally found the right fit at SNHU. With his business degree, he secured a new position and is now using his studies to improve his company’s bookkeeping and marketing strategy. He also aspires to start a nonprofit to support the LGBTQ+ community at home and abroad.
Marisa Fertitta ’23 and Michael Fertitta ’23G are fraternal twins from Massachusetts who opted for different modalities at SNHU to suit their individual needs. Michael pursued his degree on campus, focusing on communications with a minor in esports. As a broadcast technician for SNHU’s esports team, he aims to build a career in the esports industry. Marisa, on the other hand, prefers online learning and hopes to pursue a career in book publishing with her communications degree.