2025 Grad Profiles
Commencement 2025 is almost here! Governors State University (GovState) is celebrating grads this spring and sharing some of their stories right here.
College of Arts and Sciences
Intrigued by cybersecurity, Akhila Gadige decided to study Information Technology at Governors State University (GovState), where she felt the commitment to academic excellence would elevate her learning experience.
Akhila thrived in her program, participating in national and state-level competitions and helping other students in her role as a Graduate Assistant. Now, she’s anticipating crossing the Commencement stage this spring before embarking on the next part of her journey.
Returning to school nearly two decades after his high school graduation, Brett Porter wanted to make the most of the opportunities available at Governors State University (GovState).
From Drone Engineering Club to Student Senate, he was actively involved in various activities on campus, leading to other chances off-campus, including an internship on a NASA funded drone project. With Commencement quickly approaching, Brett is excited to earn his Computer Science degree, a long-awaited milestone.
After earning her bachelor's degree in music, Victoria Sweeney realized she enjoyed research and writing, which led her to Governors State University's (GovState) Communication, Media, and Performance program. She found that the master's degree filled a gap for herself that she didn't know existed.
Victoria currently works with the University's Career Services Office, where she anticipates her degree will boost her ability to serve the campus community.
With aspirations for a career in medicine, Lauryn Perry came to Governors State University (GovState) to pursue a Biology degree. While at GovState, she was actively involved with the Biology and Chemistry departments following her interest in conducting research on the negative impacts of the pharmaceutical industry.
Recently, Lauryn attended a symposium where she presented her work on Large Language Models (LLMs) and their applications in healthcare and research, winning awards for her oral and poster presentations. Sharing her research has been a highlight of her time at GovState and as she prepares to graduate, Lauryn is anticipating her next chapter, hoping to make a difference in the healthcare field.
Seeking a career change, Chris Bischof came to Governors State University (GovState) to earn a master’s degree in Information Technology (IT). While he's switching from architecture to IT, Chris continues to follow his interest in building safe spaces.
As a husband and father, Chris appreciated that GovState allowed him to pursue his new passion without distracting from his family and job. It also gave him the opportunity to show his children that life doesn’t follow one set path.
After changing his major twice, Marquis Parks found that his heart was truly in performance and the Theater and Performance Studies (TAPS) program at Governors State University (GovState) offered the stage to cultivate his craft.
While at GovState, Marquis was also actively engaged with many clubs on campus from Student Senate to Trans4mation Gospel Choir, leading to connections and opportunities he didn’t expect.
College of Business
Since taking some accounting classes in high school, Brock Krska has been drawn to the field, choosing to pursue it further at Governors State University (GovState). As an Accounting student, Brock dedicated himself to completing his degree in three years.
He’s achieved that goal and more, being an active member of the Honors College and other clubs on campus, and landing a summer internship. Yet, Brock isn’t stopping there and plans to return to GovState for his master’s degree. For now, he’s celebrating his accomplishments and looking forward to Commencement this spring.
Without realizing it, when Daysia Williamson arrived at Governors State University (GovState), she was already on her way towards a marketing degree. She decided to pursue a Business Administration degree to expand her existing marketing experience. Plus, she could stay close to home.
On campus, Daysia interned in the University's Office of Marketing and Communications and the Digital Learning and Media Design (DLMD) team for the weekly news show, This Week at GovState (TWAG).
Looking for a supportive academic community, Bryana Warner transferred to Governors State University (GovState) to pursue a degree in Business Administration. Drawn to the field of marketing, Bryana became a student worker in GovState’s Marketing and Communications Department (MarComm), where she brought her passion to the social media team.
As Commencement draws closer, Bryana looks forward to earning her degree and using it to continue to grow in the marketing and management fields.
Solving puzzles of data is where Sama Parimala shines and at Governors State University (GovState) she was able to polish her skills in the Business Analytics program. Diving into student life on campus, Sama tried various clubs and volunteered for more.
Throughout her GovState journey, Sama found a community who had her back and motivated her to keep following her goals. She hopes to one day pay back the support she received. With graduation fast approaching, Sama looks forward to using her degree to build upon her experience with data and help people along the way.
Accounting major Anthony Strickland recalls meeting staff members from Governors State University (GovState) for the first time at a college fair and receiving a warm introduction—something he experienced across the University as a student.
While not his original major, Accounting offered Anthony more options post-graduation. He’s looking forward to dedicating his time to completing his barber’s license and channeling his energy into the profession.
For Vilas Jadhav, joining Governors State University’s (GovState) Business Analytics program was the beginning of his journey of stepping out of his comfort zone—starting with navigating a new country.
While daunting, Vilas feels that his choice allowed him to grow in ways he didn’t expect. With Commencement fast approaching, he’s looking back on his time at GovState with gratitude and looking forward to what’s next.
College of Education and Human Development
As an Academic Advisor at Governors State University (GovState), Novalla Coleman supports students on their journeys to reach Commencement—a journey she herself is completing this spring. This milestone has been in the making for some time, since Novalla decided to finish what she started years ago.
As she gets closer to wrapping this chapter, Novalla reflects on her experience as a student in the Interdisciplinary Leadership program.
For Meagan Washington-Sims, Governors State University (GovState) was the only University she wanted to enroll at for her doctorate in Interdisciplinary Leadership (INLD). She truly felt GovState offered the best program for her goals and lifestyle as a single mother with a career.
An advocate for youth, Meagan is passionate about supporting others who have lived in foster care or similar situations, something she experienced as a child. That desire to serve others sparked during her childhood, leading Meagan to serve in the U.S. Army after high school and most recently, working as a child welfare specialist for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
With 17 years of experience in public school education, Khadijah Bradford returned to Governors State University (GovState) for her doctorate degree, dreaming of teaching at the university level. Following her master’s degree in counseling, she decided to pursue a Doctor of Education in Counselor Education and Supervision.
Khadijah hopes to share her love for the counseling field with others, guiding new counselors on their career paths. For the moment, she’s looking forward to celebrating her graduation with her family and friends.
Balancing a busy work schedule and master’s degree studies can be difficult, yet Liliana Cortes managed it all and remained committed to the Counseling program at Governors State University (GovState). Throughout her courses, Liliana actively sought out ways to expand her knowledge and skills.
She’s looking forward to exploring her passion further at GovState when she starts her doctorate program in the fall. Until then, Liliana is excited to spend time with friends she hasn’t seen in a while.
College of Health and Human Services
For Laquania Odom, walking across the Governors State University (GovState) Commencement stage this spring is not just a culmination of her degree, but also a representation of strength after a chronic illness forced her to rely on a wheel chair.
She persevered and remained committed to her education throughout it all—a message she wants to share with others worried about challenges competing with their educational aspirations.
Now, she hopes to use her experience and her degree in Health Administration to follow her passion to help others navigate their healthcare.
Though she believed the chapter closed on school, Kendra Smith came to Governors State University (GovState) feeling a calling to mental health therapy. As she enrolled in classes for her second master’s degree, this time for Social Work, Kendra set her sights on becoming a mental health professional to join the efforts to eliminate the stigma around seeking support for mental health.
While Kendra is excited to cross the Commencement stage this spring, she’s also looking forward to pursuing her new dream helping others.
First-generation student Zuha Sha was looking for a sense of belonging as part of her university experience. From her first impression with Governors State University (GovState), she felt certain the University could provide the kind of support she was seeking.
Moving from India, Zuha had to learn how navigate a new culture, too. Despite the learning curve, Zuha adapted and excelled in the Health Informatics master’s program and her role as a graduate assistant. She gained experience and made connections leading to her current job as a Clinical Informatics Analyst.
After an enlightening experience with pelvic floor therapy, Sessily Gianakos knew she wanted to support others on their healing journeys. Finding her way to Governors State University (GovState), Sessily first earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology (’21) and also sang at the Commencement ceremony. Now, she is completing her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.
With her degree, she plans to train under physical therapists to advance her skills with a dream to one day have her own multidisciplinary clinic.
An alum of Governors State University’s (GovState) Biology program, Colin Harling (’12) returned to GovState for his master’s in Health Administration to advance in his career in healthcare. He appreciated that the University environment made him feel seen as a student and not just another number.
Colin hopes to make a difference with his work by leaving a positive impact on patients and aspires to hold an administrative position one day. Though, for now, he’s looking forward to spending more time with his family now that he’s completed his master’s degree.