With cheers from fellow graduates, faculty, family members and friends, walking across the stage at Stevens’ 154th Commencement felt like soaring into a new chapter full of promise, hope and achievements not yet imagined.
While much of the day's ceremony looked ahead to what awaits, reflection was equally woven into the event's theme by maker, designer, author, television host and this year’s undergraduate Commencement speaker, Adam Savage. He urged graduates to take stock of how much they'd grown during their time at Stevens and to continue with that same mindset throughout their lives.
“I’m now going to ask you graduating class to cast you minds back, back to your first day here when you walked through the door for the first time. Think about what you anticipated the next few years would be like. Think about what you thought you knew. Think about how mature you might have felt, how anxious, how curious. And now, look at that earlier version of you from the present and revel in how much they did not know then. How much more you now know. Four years from now, a future you will be similarly astounded at how much at your current state of ignorance. This process will continue for the rest of your time at work.”
This thread was continued during the graduate ceremony in the afternoon by School of Business Information Systems graduate and 25 Under 25 honoree Alwin John who was selected to offer student remarks.
“Take a moment and look around you. Every person here today carries stories of sacrifice, courage and quiet persistence. Today is proof that prayers were answered and sacrifices mattered. As we step into the future, lives will continue to change, there will be new dreams, new challenges and new beginnings waiting for us. And there will be moments when we feel uncertain again. Moments when we don’t know the map, process or the next move. But when that happens, remember your journey and who you became here. Remember that uncertainty did not break us before, so it will not break us now because every room we are confident in today, was once a room we entered nervously.”
The Class of 2026 also had reason to celebrate fellow 25 Under 25 honoree Giovanna Notaro, who was recognized in Stevens' 2026 First in Class cohort, a distinction reserved for exceptional students who earned a 4.0 GPA while demonstrating strong leadership and dedication throughout their undergraduate degree.
As our newest flock of graduates joins more than 60,000 Stevens alumni making an impact around the world, we asked a few of them to share what's next and what they're carrying with them from their time at Stevens.
Meet our newest graduates
Mina Fahim | Graduate, Financial Engineering
What are your post-graduation plans? After graduation, I plan to continue growing in my role in quantitative research and portfolio analytics, where I work on modeling, portfolio analysis, and investment research. Long term, I hope to contribute to developing quantitative and data-driven investment models that can lead to better portfolio construction, stronger risk management, and improved risk-adjusted returns.
How has the School of Business prepared you for this next phase of your life? Stevens helped me connect theory with real-world application. Since I was already working full-time while doing the MFE, many of the things I learned, from derivatives and machine learning to portfolio modeling, became things I could apply in practice. It also challenged me to become better at problem solving and thinking more quantitatively.
What will you miss most about Stevens and/or the School of Business? I will definitely miss the journey itself. Balancing work, school, CFA exams, and life was not easy, but it made the experience meaningful. I’ll also miss working with classmates on projects and learning from professors who challenged us to think deeper.
What advice would you offer to future students? Take advantage of your time at Stevens and try to learn beyond the classroom. Try to build skills that make you better outside the classroom through projects, networking, and self-learning. Also, trust the process; growth takes time, and a lot can change if you stay consistent.
Shreya Isharani | Undergraduate, Quantitative Finance
What are your post-graduation plans? After graduation, I will be joining Bank of America as a Global Market Risk Analyst. I am excited to begin my career in finance and apply the quantitative and analytical skills I developed at Stevens in a fast-paced markets environment.
How has the School of Business prepared you for this next phase of your life? Being a Quantitative Finance major exposed me to a rigorous combination of finance, computer science, and statistics courses that shaped the way I think and solve problems. The challenging coursework pushed me to become more analytical, detail-oriented, and adaptable under pressure, which I believe has prepared me well for the demands of my future role.
What will you miss most about Stevens and/or the School of Business? I will miss the people the most such as the professors, classmates, and friends who supported me throughout the past four years. Stevens became a place where I was constantly learning and growing while being surrounded by motivated people who encouraged me to do better.
What advice would you offer to future students? I would encourage future students to believe in themselves, stay proactive, and not give up when things do not go as planned. There will always be challenges and setbacks, but being patient, persistent, and willing to put yourself out there can open many opportunities over time.
Siddharth Rochlani | Undergraduate, Business & Technology
What are your post-graduation plans? After graduation, I will begin working at Amazon as an Area Manager in September while pursuing my MBA with a concentration in Business Intelligence & Analytics. I will also work towards growing my freelance photography and videography business.
How has the School of Business prepared you for this next phase of your life? The Stevens School of Business prepared me for this next phase by helping me build strong connections with professors, classmates, and professionals through projects, presentations, and networking opportunities. It also helped me develop leadership, communication, and analytical skills that I know will benefit me in both my corporate career and creative business.
What will you miss most about Stevens and/or the School of Business? What I’ll miss most about Stevens Institute of Technology is the community, the people, and the relationships I built throughout my time here, as well as creating content for Stevens Athletics through photography and videography. Being able to capture memorable moments on campus and connect with so many different people made my experience at Stevens especially meaningful.
What advice would you offer to future students? My advice to future students would be to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way and not be afraid to put yourself out there. Build relationships with professors and classmates, stay consistent, and keep trying even when things do not go as planned, because the experiences, challenges, and connections you make can open many future opportunities.
Diana Strama | Graduate, Finance
What are your post-graduation plans? I have received a return offer to work at Moody’s Ratings as a Ratings Associate in their Structured Finance Group in NYC after interning with them last summer.
How has the School of Business prepared you for this next phase of your life? The School of Business and its resources are the reason I will be moving forward with Moody’s after graduation. The COPA team played a huge role in my career journey by helping me narrow down internship opportunities, improve my resume, conduct mock interviews, and provide honest advice. Their guidance gave me the confidence and preparation I needed to take this next step professionally.
What will you miss most about Stevens and/or the School of Business? What I will most about Stevens is the people — not just my friends, but also the faculty and staff members. Everyone at Stevens genuinely wants to help students grow personally and professionally, and I am incredibly grateful for the support and experiences I have had here.
What advice would you offer to future students? My advice to future students is to use the resources around you and do what is best for you! Stevens provides so many opportunities to help students succeed in and after college, but you only get out of the experience what you put into it. Make the most of your college experience by putting your goals first and doing things that make you happy.
Tyler Warren | Graduate, MBA
What are your post-graduation plans? I have already begun my journey as a Junior Business Analyst at Guggenheim Investments on the Strategic Initiatives team. I am excited to continue growing and developing in this role as I launch my professional career.
How has the School of Business prepared you for this next phase of your life? Stevens School of Business prepared me for the next phase of my life by providing rigorous coursework with a strong emphasis on technology and AI. This foundation has given me the analytical and strategic thinking skills to be well prepared for the ever-changing world of business.
What will you miss most about Stevens and/or the School of Business? I will miss the people and the wonderful resources that I was fortunate to have at Stevens. It was interesting only being at Stevens as a Graduate student, but it was an amazing time where I was able to grow both personally and professionally.
What advice would you offer to future students? My advice would be to take full advantage of every resource available to you. The faculty at Stevens put together great events and opportunities to prepare students for the professional world. I truly benefited from any session that I attended.
