What It Took to Get Here:
Journeys Shaped by Time and Heart
By Melanie Drolet ’16; Sajra Dzelilovic ’22 ’23MBA; Shakila Ahmed Lira, Class of 2027; Victoria Webb ’22
Across careers and communities, SNHU students share a defining drive to keep going. In 2025, more than 47,600 eligible graduates — ranging in age from 14 to 84 — found themselves at the finish line. Meet some of SNHU’s newest graduates whose journeys exemplify remarkable resilience.
Alexis Flores ’26 earned his degree through SNHU’s competency-based program, offered in partnership with Duet. After discovering that a traditional on-campus experience wasn’t the right fit for him, he stepped away from college to focus on work until a friend introduced him to the Year Up program. That path led him to SNHU and Duet, where he completed more than 60 projects while balancing two jobs. The first in his family to earn both a high school diploma and college degree, Alexis proudly graduated with a BA in Management and looks forward to new opportunities ahead in the field of property management.
Annais Roman ’25 worked on her program as an active-duty service member. After the conclusion of an impressive dance career, Annais found a new passion in the U.S. Navy. She graduated first in her bootcamp class and advanced to the rank of E6 in five years. Despite relocations and deployments that often required weeks at sea, she completed her program successfully at SNHU. The first in her family to serve in the military and earn a college degree, Annais graduated with an AS in Accounting and hopes to one day become a forensic accountant with the FBI.
Maurice Dorsey ’26MFA graduated with his Master of Fine Arts at age 78. Already holding several degrees, he came to SNHU to fine-tune his writing and breathe new life into his published books. Inspired by the guidance and mentorship of his instructor, David Maloney, Maurice established a scholarship in his honor. The scholarship will provide financial support to future SNHU students pursuing their educational dreams.
Kirsten Hayward ’26 began her SNHU journey online and later transferred to campus to study history. During her time at SNHU, she became a familiar face — leading tours, supervising in the Makerspace lab, and supporting Conference and Events Services. An internship at a local New Hampshire museum gave her the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and solidified her goal of pursuing a career in museum curation. With her BA in History, Kirsten looks forward to helping others connect with stories from the past.
At just 12 years old, Justin Palmer ’25 faced a life-changing spinal injury during surgery, leaving him with little to no use of his arms and legs. When it was time for college, he considered in‑person options requiring long commutes or a live-in aide, ultimately choosing an online program with SNHU for its flexibility and accessibility. Justin completed his coursework using talk-to-text technology and a stylus pen held in his mouth. He graduated with a BS in Accounting and Finance and is pursuing his master’s degree at SNHU to become a Certified Public Accountant.
LaTroy Hawkins ’25 had an impressive 21‑year Major League Baseball career, spending nine seasons pitching for the Minnesota Twins, where he now serves as Special Assistant to Baseball Operations. He decided to pursue a BA in Sociology to better understand people, find his identity beyond athletics, and set a positive example for his family. He says his studies strengthened his communication and leadership skills, helping him be more effective in his current position. LaTroy completed his coursework while traveling to baseball games across the globe and proudly celebrated his achievement at Commencement.
John Sutphin ’25 — a Navy veteran with 30 years in the railroad industry — began college in his late 40s after making a promise to his son. Months later, he found himself facing significant health challenges: a brain tumor diagnosis, followed by kidney cancer and the news of a second tumor. Despite surgeries, radiation, cognitive challenges, and vision changes, he persisted and continued his SNHU studies. A father of six and grandfather of nine, John graduated with a business degree in good health and is now pursuing his master’s degree at SNHU.
David Shelton ’25 traveled 5,000 miles from a remote village in northern Alaska to attend Commencement. David’s hometown has a population of 280, there are no roads in or out, and the closest college is a 1.5-hour flight or a 24-hour snowmobile journey. Living in an education desert, David found that online learning made it possible for him to pursue his degree without having to relocate or put his life on hold.