From Doubt to Degree: A Journey Worth Starting

Choosing to start

In her graduation speech, Alleyne made a particularly salient point. "My experience reflects a common reality among adult learners: we don't always start when we planned, but we choose to start anyway."

Alleyne said that over the years she became more confident, more grounded, more certain of who she is and what she is capable of.

The moments of doubt melted away; new skills and reinforced belief in herself remained.

"It's okay if your path doesn't look like everyone else's," she said, addressing fellow 2026 graduates. "You became someone stronger, someone more resilient, someone who didn't give up."

Read more spring 2026 graduate stories about  perseverance, military spouses, career transformation, military servicemembers and veterans, and the community graduates found at UMGC.