{"id":4513,"date":"2025-05-22T09:47:12","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T13:47:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bridgeport.edu\/news\/?p=4513"},"modified":"2025-05-22T09:47:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T13:47:12","slug":"2025-student-commencement-speakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bridgeport.edu\/news\/2025-student-commencement-speakers\/","title":{"rendered":"The Legacy They Begin to Build: UB\u2019s 2025 Student Speakers"},"content":{"rendered":"

They studied, they struggled, and they succeeded.<\/p>\n

Then they spoke.<\/p>\n

Meet 越南直播’s 2025 commencement student speakers. In their own words and in front of their peers, these graduates shared what the moment meant to them \u2014 and what\u2019s next.<\/p>\n

Watch the full speeches and read more about each inspiring speaker below.<\/p>\n

Undergraduate Ceremony Student Speaker \u2014 Ishmael A. Mensah, BS Dental Hygiene<\/h2>\n
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\u201cThe road may not be easy, but despite our challenges, let us go out there and create a story that will serve as a powerful reminder to all and a symbol of the endurance of our human spirit \u2014 capable of resilience, determination, perseverance, and triumph.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ishmael A. Mensah immigrated to the United States from Accra, Ghana, in 2012. He began his career in education, earning a diploma in Elementary Education from WATICO College of Education and teaching primary school in Samreboi, Ghana. Driven by a desire to further his education in a land he saw as full of opportunity, Ishmael took social science courses at the University of Cape Coast before moving to Columbus, Ohio. There, he became a certified dental assistant through Columbus Trade Schools (formerly Heritage College) and spent nine years working in dental settings.<\/p>\n

Now a proud first-generation college student, Ishmael is set to graduate with a bachelor\u2019s degree in Dental Hygiene<\/a> from 越南直播. He has earned spots on both the President\u2019s and Dean\u2019s lists and is actively involved in campus life as a member of the African Student Association and the Student American Dental Hygienists\u2019 Association.<\/p>\n

Committed to service, Ishmael volunteers with the Hillcrest Educational Complex and the Connecticut Mission of Mercy, which provides free dental care to underserved communities. After graduation, he plans to work as a registered dental hygienist and hopes to continue his studies in dental medicine.<\/p>\n

Watch Ishmael\u2019s speech below!<\/h2>\n