12 student speakers chosen to address peers at Commencement ceremonies

Binghamton University’s Commencement ceremonies will begin with the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 9, in the Anderson Center’s Osterhout Concert Theater. The Doctoral Hooding Ceremony and remaining ceremonies for each of the University’s schools, including three separate Harpur College of Arts and Sciences ceremonies, will follow, running through Saturday, May 11. The Doctoral Hooding Ceremony will be held in the Osterhout Concert Theater. All other ceremonies will be held in the Events Center on campus.

Student speakers have been selected to represent their fellow graduates at all except the doctoral hooding ceremony. Read below about the 12 students who will take the podium.

School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Thursday, May 9

Paul Puccio Jr. ’20

Doctor of pharmacy

After high school, Paul Puccio Jr. ’20 got a job working at BJ’s Wholesale Club. He worked there while attending Duchess Community College and later Binghamton University.

“I started working as a cashier,” Puccio said. “I worked my way up as a self-checkout attendant, a front-end supervisor and eventually I started working in every position in that store: produce clerk, meat clerk, asset protection, front end supervisor. I even had my forklift license.”

Working at BJ’s helped Puccio learn the importance of communication and teamwork. After working there for more than four years, Puccio applied to Binghamton University’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SOPPS). He was not sure he would be accepted and successful, though.

“It was a crisis of confidence,” he said. “I kept asking, ‘Am I going to make it into pharmacy school? Am I smart enough? Do I have the qualifications to get into pharmacy school?’ Because a lot of people I was talking to were 4.0 students; they were working at pharmacies already. And they were doing all these other extracurricular activities. Meanwhile, I was working at BJ’s Wholesale Club.”

But after meeting Rachel Perry, who was the SOPPS assistant dean for enrollment management and student affairs at the time, Puccio’s perspective changed. She reassured him that he just needed to take a couple of classes in anatomy and physiology and he could be in pharmacy school in the fall of 2020.

In hindsight, Puccio believes his role at BJ’s was instrumental in his success.

“There was just so much out-of-the-box thinking that I had to do at BJ’s to get the job done,” he said. The experience taught him valuable creative problem-solving skills and instilled a sense of discipline that prepared him to contribute to pharmacy education at Binghamton.

Puccio founded an organization called Pharmacists Against Infectious Diseases, a club that raises awareness about infectious diseases and the prominent role that pharmacists have in executing treatment for the diseases.

“The pharmacy program really showed me that discipline can get you far in life,” Puccio said. “And without it, I do not think I would have gotten as far as I am today.”

Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Thursday, May 9

Anthony DiBartolo

Bachelor of science in nursing

During his first year on Binghamton’s campus, Anthony DiBartolo was focused on a journey to become a Division I wrestler. However, a different path was waiting for him.

His sister, a nurse, became critically ill with a rare disease. Hearing stories of the impact she had on her patients, combined with the experience of having a sick family member, changed DiBartolo’s perspective on who he wanted to be. He applied for an intra-university transfer and began pursuing a nursing degree.

“With nursing, you’re the main advocate for the patient, and you’re able to interact with them more personally,” the Smithtown, N.Y., native said. “Nursing is not about me, it’s about the patient and their family. That is realistically one of the worst days that they are going through. And I just want to be there for them.”

DiBartolo works at Binghamton’s Innovative Simulation and Practice Center (ISPC) at Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, where he assists other students with lab skills. He is also active in the Nursing Student Association, where he serves as the professional development executive board chair.

“I get to help students with interviews, résumés and assist with the transition from being a nursing student to a working registered nurse,” said DiBartolo, who is also a pathophysiology tutor.

DiBartolo’s advice to other nursing students is to get involved.

“I think the ISPC made my clinical skills significantly better because I have to know all the skills to teach them to other students,” he said.

DiBartolo is interested in pursuing a position in an emergency department, focusing on emergency care, triaging patients and constantly reprioritizing.

“That’s my area of passion,” he said. “I like not knowing what to expect when people come through the door. You never know what you’re going to see.”

Abigail Taylor

Bachelor of science in nursing

Originally from Montrose, Pa., Abigail Taylor initially majored in pharmacy at The Ohio State University and graduated in 2012. However, after losing her mother to breast cancer, her path to working in healthcare took a detour after graduation.

“I was dealing with that and had to transition out of healthcare at that time, just because it was still a fresh and new loss for me,” Taylor said. “And at that time, the oil and gas industry was really booming in my hometown. I took advantage of that and went to work for an environmental consultant.”

After working in the oil and gas industry for a decade, Taylor said the birth of her child and the pandemic changed her perspective. She felt her work lacked heart. Taylor reflected on the experience of losing her mom at 18 and how the nurses supported her and her family.

“When I decided to get back into healthcare, I knew the intensive care unit was where I wanted to be,” she said.

At Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taylor developed a strong bond with her classmates and supported them by encouraging them to stay focused on the coursework.

Taylor soon found that her experience working in a different industry gave her confidence.

“I didn’t realize how much that would translate into nursing until we started our clinicals,” she said.

Taylor would accompany her classmates to help establish rapport and expectations with new or difficult patients.

“After that, they would be good to work on their own. And I liked that role,” she said. “I can see myself being a preceptor or even an instructor in the future.”

Her experience also helped her manage school and family commitments, as she had a rigorous schedule at her previous job. Taylor said she sees the experience and growth she gained from working in oil and gas as a positive impact on her time at Binghamton. She also connected with the faculty at Binghamton University in a way that she did not at Ohio State.

“They really individualized our education,” she said, “and I felt like they considered everything we were going through and seemed to have an interest in how we were doing and what our plans were for the future.”

Tessa Davidson

Master of public health

In many ways, Tessa Davidson’s Binghamton University experience is a family affair. Davidson’s mother is an alumna who works for the University, and her brother also graduated from Binghamton.

“I’m excited to see my degree with the little Binghamton University emblem because that’s what’s on both of their walls,” Davidson said. “It feels very connected, and I’m really proud to share that with them.”

Davidson earned her public health degree part-time over a four-year period. During her second year, she learned she would be having her first baby. A week before finals in 2020, she gave birth.

She was determined to finish the semester strong and avoid taking an incomplete grade. She contacted her professor, who made accommodations for her to take the test.

“Ten days later, I went in and I took my final with my baby on my lap,” Davidson said.

The family tradition at Binghamton now extends to her 2-year-old daughter, Lilly.

“I’ve been able to bring her to a few classes here and there, because my professors are so open to that,” Davidson said. “I always say that she got the degree with me.”

Davidson navigated the responsibilities of being a new parent with access to facilities like the Health Sciences Building’s Lactation Room. She found her classmates and faculty welcoming and accommodating to her growing family.

Davidson is an assistant director at a nonprofit in the substance-use prevention field. She believes her degree will improve her ability to pursue promotion at work. The well-rounded public health curriculum has already had a positive impact on her work, improving her ability to write grants and interpret data.

The support of her parents and her husband, Nick, allowed Davidson to navigate the challenges of being a new mom and a college student. Associate Professor Miesha Marzell, Davidson’s capstone project advisor, was also an integral part of her feeling connected to the program and being able to finish in a timely manner.

“I always knew that I could do it,” Davidson said. “It was just a matter of when.”

Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science

Friday, May 10

Clara Rodriguez

Bachelor of science in biomedical engineering

Biomedical engineering major Clara Rodriguez is interested in finding a role in research and development and is planning to pursue a doctorate after graduation.

Rodriguez credits the Watson College Scholars Program for introducing her to resources and opportunities on campus and teaching her how to navigate a large university coming from the small town of Hopewell Junction, N.Y. (southeast of Poughkeepsie). She was part of the inaugural cohort of the Watson College Scholars Program.

“The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program also really helped me,” Rodriguez said. “They help not only with tutoring and research and conference support, but also preparing you for graduate school—having that future-minded proactiveness.”

Rodriguez is also one of Binghamton’s first Beckman Scholars, a program involving a 15-month immersive research experience during which she explored topics like biomechanics and biomaterials and how they relate to the human body.

Rodriguez’s research aims to figure out what makes things function the way they do in the body’s tissues, or how anything that is incorporated in the body will perform. One example is studying arthritis in the knees to determine how doctors can optimally repair damage.

Rodriguez spent a lot of time with her grandparents as a child and often heard them complaining about back pain or sore knees. Their aches and pains served as inspiration for her research. She said she wanted to make the lives of people in the construction field easier and safer.

“That’s why joints interest me,” she said. “If I can do something to alleviate that pain, or to help someone’s mobility, I would love to.”

Rodriguez also sees her research as a way to give back to those who served in the military.

“I want to take care of those who take care of us,” she said.

According to Rodriguez, seeing grandparents pick up their grandchildren and even their great grandchildren is something that should be commonplace. She looks forward to contributing to this future through medical research.

Basel Sultan

Master of industrial and systems engineering

Basel Sultan has been selected as a commencement speaker twice. First, when he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Oman and now for a second time after earning his master’s degree in industrial and systems engineering. This time, he hopes to actually perform his speech.

Sultan could not attend his undergraduate graduation because he was selected as a research assistant for the Watson Institute for Systems Excellence (WISE) and had to be in the United States at that time.

Originally from the Palestinian city of Hebron, Sultan is planning to pursue his doctorate and teach at a college or university in the long term. He hopes to be able to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world. He believes that to optimally contribute, it is important to have practical and classroom experience.

“The dream is to have a strong foundation in both industrial engineering and academia,” Sultan said.

Sultan participated in the 8th North American International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management in Houston, placing first in the Supply Chain and Logistics Competition with a paper titled “A Framework for Reverse Engineering Process for Electronic Manufacturing Company: A Case Study.” More recently at a second international conference in Dubai, he placed second in the Supply Chain Competition with the paper “Building RMA Process for an Electronic Manufacturing Company: A Case Study.”

Sultan is currently a research project assistant through WISE at the business development office of Foxconn, an electronics manufacturer. Working full-time while pursuing his master’s degree required time management, which he said was central to his success.

Sultan’s first time in the United States was when he visited Binghamton’s campus. He believes that his global perspective has helped him navigate the challenges of finding his place in an organization.

“When you work in a company, you can learn the techniques, methodologies, rules and policies, but you cannot learn the culture — it’s something you have to experience, it’s something you have to live in the company for a while to get,” Sultan said. “So having a global experience has helped me to understand different cultures and be able to blend very well.”

College of Community and Public Affairs

Friday, May 10

Alysa Cheung

Baccalaureate of social work
Bachelor of arts in psychology

Brooklyn, N.Y., native Alysa Cheung is graduating with dual degrees in psychology and social work. Her goal is to become a clinical social worker, specifically as a mental health counselor for children and adolescents.

“I always have liked children. I like interacting with them, and it is a population that I want to work with,” Cheung said. “I feel like they have so much potential.”

Cheung values the opportunities she has had as a student to connect with people on campus.

“As a Chinese American, I really appreciate all the cultural groups that were available. They were a fantastic opportunity to connect with people and appreciate your culture.”

Cheung also connected with Emily Tier ’11, MPA ’16, MSW ’16, a palliative social worker at United Health Services, through Mentor Match, an online platform connecting Binghamton students with alumni.

“I got connected with her and she was a great help,” Cheung said. “We talked about the realities of being a social worker and the path that she took. She is just so great and open and provided advice and guidance.”

This year, Cheung has been completing her field placement at the Addiction Center of Broome County.

“I have learned so much there. And that is one of the highlights of the social work program here is that I had a good placement over this past year,” she said.

“I have learned a lot about how to apply myself and work with clients who are in a difficult position. Even though I do not necessarily feel like I am going to work with this population, substance use is tied so heavily to mental health. I know that this experience and all these skills that I have developed this past year are really going to carry me forward.”

Sarah Marshall ’21

Master’s in adolescence education

After exploring several areas of interest, Sarah Marshall ’21 would like to become an English teacher.

“I always loved teaching,” the Bethlehem, N.Y., native said. “My mom was a teacher, my grandma was a teacher, my great-grandfather was a teacher, and so in some ways I’ve always wanted to teach, but that hasn’t necessarily always been my dream.”

During her sophomore year as an undergraduate at Binghamton University, Marshall struggled with determining what her next steps should be. She had done some acting in high school productions, but wasn’t sure if that was what she truly loved.

“I did want to perform, but I couldn’t figure out what my passion was,” she said. “It wasn’t acting and it wasn’t teaching. Those are two things I care about and things that I’m good at. But in terms of passion, that wasn’t it.”

As she tried to figure out what acting and teaching had in common, it came to her: storytelling.

“I love to tell stories,” Marshall said. “I love telling my own stories and other people’s stories, getting to bring those stories to life, feeding off of the audience and getting a laugh.”

The opportunities for a creative outlet on campus, such as acting in Hinman Production Company’s Binghamton Night Live, helped Marshall develop skills she can apply in the classroom.

“A big part of acting and teaching is feeding off of your audience, knowing your audience, knowing who is in front of you,” Marshall said. “And just like with an audience, you’re never going to have two classes that are the same, they’re going to have different needs.”

School of Management

Friday, May 10

Nora Monasheri ’23

Master’s in business administration

Nora Monasheri ’23 is from Great Neck, N.Y., a primarily Persian and Jewish community. She chose Binghamton because she would be close to home and the University has great resources. In comparison to other colleges, it exceeded her expectations.

Monasheri was actively involved with Binghamton’s Jewish community, participating in events at Chabad of Binghamton. She was also a member of the Student Association and was on the Binghamton University Council, representing the interests of students.

“I was also involved in Alpha Kappa Psi, which is the professional business fraternity,” Monasheri said. “That has helped me hone in on my professional skills.”

Her favorite role on campus was as a Road Map intern, though. The Road Map is a joint initiative involving members of the administration, faculty, staff and students with the goal of making the University the premier public school in the country.

Monasheri got involved in the Road Map after a chance encounter with President Harvey Stenger. The initiative was not as active during the COVID lockdowns, and Monasheri said she asked if the Road Map would still be implemented.

“He said, ‘You know what, send me an email. Let’s talk about it,’” Monasheri said. “And we met, and I promised him that I can resurrect it and really bring it back to life. I recruited everyone. Following this, I put in all the work. And here we have it. We have six interns who made great projects on campus and meet in the president’s office three times a week.”

Another important and groundbreaking project she is working on is installing the first contraceptive vending machine at a SUNY school. It is tentatively planned to be installed by the end of the semester.

Monasheri said she is motivated to continue to be intellectually curious and be “Nora the Explorer.”

“I really tried to make sure to reach different people on campus, all diverse types of networks,” she said.

Harpur College of Arts and Sciences

Saturday, May 11

Rachel Dempsey

Bachelor of arts in psychology

When Rachel Dempsey arrived on Binghamton’s campus, she majored in mathematics. She had always been a good math student, and she felt squarely in her comfort zone. Early on, however, she began to feel isolated and considered that math wasn’t the best fit for her.

“I just felt like I wasn’t getting the college experience that I wanted,” Dempsey said. “I thought maybe I should try something that would allow me to interact with people a little bit more.”

She found inspiration in her extracurricular involvement. Dempsey was elected as the president of her residence hall during her first year, and then ran for president of Hinman College during her sophomore year.

“I met so many amazing people,” she said. “I realized that I like working with residents and interacting with them, trying to make their day better.”

She took a psychology class and the coursework, coupled with her experience helping other students in student government, encouraged her to pursue psychology.

Today, Dempsey is living in the same hall that she was assigned to as a first-year student. She’s a student support assistant with Residential Life, helping students navigate challenges related to living on campus for the first time.

For the Waverly, Pa., native, stepping outside of her comfort zone and embracing the opportunities to get involved on campus put her on the right path. She will return to Binghmton to complete her graduate degree in social work.

“I really found a spot on campus here,” she said. “I felt like I belonged here, and that is why I wanted to come back for my master’s degree and try to foster an environment where everybody can feel that way.”

Awa Traore

Bachelor of arts in philosophy, politics and law

Awa Traore grew up in the Bronx, N.Y., after her parents immigrated from Mali in West Africa.

On campus, Traore connected with people and organizations that helped her feel like she belonged. A big part of her campus experience was performing with MajorNoir, a majorette dance team. She is proud of the perspective she brought to campus, highlighting Black culture through general body meetings, events like a fashion show, or educational posts on Instagram. Traore said the organization brought awareness to the issues that are occurring in Africa.

Traore was the educational coordinator and activities coordinator of the African Student Organization.

“Part of my job was creating activities and educating the Binghamton public about issues going on in West Africa,” said Traore, who was also part of a West African dance team.

Traore said she tried to immerse herself in Black culture whenever possible so she could know what she’s advocating for.

Her mother, who she calls her shining star, has been a key factor in shaping her into the globally conscious person she is today.

“At a young age, she would still talk to me about the issues happening in Mali. And she wouldn’t shy away from the difficult subjects and the hard things that she was afraid that I wouldn’t understand,” Traore said. “She ignited that flame in me to fight for and be a political activist for West Africa. I think that my mom was definitely the big factor in pushing me toward where my passion lies.”

Riya Bolander

Bachelor of arts in psychology
Bachelor of music in performance with an emphasis in voice

Riya Bolander grew up in Marshfield, Wis., but now calls Vestal home after their parents relocated to the area just before they graduated from high school.

Bolander’s first year at Binghamton University was impacted by the pandemic, so they decided to connect with incoming students by becoming an Orientation advisor after their sophomore year.

“I wanted to live vicariously through the incoming first-year students,” Bolander said. “But that position really exposed me to how many opportunities there are on campus. I credit that job with getting me interested in my work at the Q Center.”

Bolander began as an intern at the Q Center during their junior year and continued working as a peer mentor lead when their internship became a new, paid position as a senior.

“We’re in the very initial stages, but it’s already been pretty good,” said Bolander. “We connect younger students who have questions about school and careers, but also about LGBTQ identity and relationships, with older students who feel prepared to give advice. And it has been really cool watching people grow.”

Bolander said the peer mentor program makes it easier for new students to access a supportive community and is a good way to foster queer community.

In their music performance program, Bolander received a lot of individualized attention, an opportunity they wouldn’t have had at a bigger music school, and working with the faculty ultimately inspired them to pursue performance as part of their degree.

“I didn’t initially want to major in performance when I came here; I was planning on just getting a bachelor of arts in music,” Bolander said. “But they were very welcoming and encouraging. So I decided that it was worth the extra work to do the performance major.”

Bolander’s immediate plans are primarily focused on their psychology degree but incorporate elements of their work in music and advocacy for others.

“I am applying for as many research assistant positions as I can, and I do want to go back for a PhD in cognitive psychology, researching the cognition of music — how it affects your brain, and also the process of learning music.”

Bolander ultimately would like to use their research to improve education for future music students.