Class of 2026’s Fondest GW Memories (Part Two)

The George Washington University Class of 2026 graduates will be recognized at Commencement on the National Mall on Sunday, May 17. Before their big day, GW Today asked a number of the upcoming graduates to share their favorite GW memories. This is the second group of vignettes from 2026 grads. Please enjoy their memories:

Monica Burmicky, Ed.D., Higher Education Administration

What I'll carry most from my time at GW is the people who shaped how I learned and who I became. My memories are rooted in collaborative, immersive experiences: co-writing papers with classmates, debating perspectives that challenged my own, designing curricula for courses that didn't yet exist and simulating policy briefings. GSEHD faculty expanded those moments by bringing in authors, university leaders and guest speakers who pushed us to think more broadly and act with intention.

All of this built toward my dissertation, some of the most meaningful work I have ever done. Early on, I scheduled 45 minutes with my chair, Dr. Deniece Dortch, to review a chapter; she gently told me it wouldn't be enough, and consistently made the time for deep, thoughtful engagement with my writing and research. That balance of rigor and genuine care defined my GW experience and is what I will carry with me.

Aria Charles, J.D., GW Law

One of my favorite memories at GW was planning the annual Patricia Roberts Harris Gala for the Black Law Students Association alongside my incredible best friend and co-chair, Calia Johnson (at left in photo). Watching our vision come to life at the Howard Theatre, and seeing the results of all our hard work was truly unforgettable.

Margot Diamond, B.A. Journalism and Mass Communication

One of my most memorable moments during my time at GW was attending Kamala Harris's final campaign address during the 2024 presidential election. I had always been interested in media and politics from a distance, mostly through a screen, but it was incredibly energizing and inspiring to experience it in real time from within the crowd. SMPA also gave me one-of-a-kind experiences that I cherish, including the opportunity to hear directly from journalists and political leaders as they were actively covering and shaping that moment. That time helped fuel my future career interests in media and is something I will always associate with my time at GW and in D.C.

Cody House, Ed.D., Curriculum and Instruction

For more than a decade, I've had the privilege of working at George Washington University with the College of Professional Studies, and one of my favorite traditions has always been volunteering at commencement. Every year, I would stand there watching graduates cross the stage, seeing the joy, relief and pride on their faces after years of hard work. It was impossible not to feel inspired by those moments.

While I was cheering them on, I was also quietly imagining my own day. As a doctoral student in the Graduate School of Education and Human Development, I often thought about what it would feel like to finally complete my doctorate. That vision kept me going through long nights of studying, balancing a full-time career, starting a family, navigating the uncertainty of a pandemic and handling every unexpected curveball life could throw my way.

Now, reaching this milestone feels especially meaningful because I've spent so many years celebrating others. This time, I get to celebrate my own journey, and that memory will stay with me forever.

Ethan Lynne, B.A., Political Communication

Having been a tour guide, student and student body president, I ended up wearing a lot of hats over the past four years. The GW memory that sticks out to me the most was when the Monks Walk for Peace came to campus. I had the honor of presenting them with a collar on behalf of the student body for Aloka, their peace dog. Being in their presence, getting guided in meditation techniques and being mindful was much needed in the middle of midterms and re-emphasized how unique our campus is in D.C. Additionally, I will never forget being in D.C. thanks to admissions over the past few summers, and there's no cooler place to watch the D.C. firework show than from the rooftop of 1959 E Street filled with good food, vibes, music and tons of other GW students. This was an unforgettable experience, and I wouldn't have done it any other way.

Brandon Neal, B.S.N, School of Nursing

"One of my most meaningful memories at GW is realizing my professors were preparing me for moments where there would be no clear answer. Faculty like Amanda Nicklas, Vivian Bowman, Janet Radzykewycz and Nicole Trainer pushed us to move beyond checklists and think through uncertainty. At the time, it felt demanding. Later, it proved essential.

That became clear during a night shift in the NICU. I cared for a premature infant experiencing prolonged bradycardic episodes, requiring constant reassessment as heart rate and respirations fluctuated. The monitors did not slow down, and neither could I. There was no script to follow. I relied on the clinical judgment my professors emphasized from day one.

As I worked through sleep, breathing and feeding trials, I made deliberate decisions in real time. Stay steady. Think clearly. Act with purpose.

When I spoke with the family afterward, I understood the weight of their trust. It did not feel like a simulation or a requirement. It felt like responsibility. It was the moment I began to see myself not just as a student, but as a nurse prepared to lead when it matters most."

Kealia Niles, B.S., GW Engineering

The most memorable thing is living so close to monumental things going on all the time-and also the physical monuments. It's really fun just to go to the National Mall on a jog in the morning. You're like, "Where am I? I can't believe I go to school here." And there are always interesting events going on-GW hosts a lot of very cool people and talks. I remember going to a cybersecurity conference that was very inspiring, where senior people in the field said, basically, "We need more young people." They gave a lot of good advice you could apply in your career.

Olivia Nippe-Jeakins, B.S. Astronomy and Astrophysics

It's hard to pick a favorite memory, but it might be my very first astrophysics class I took here at GW. I was in Origins of the Cosmos with Dr.Alexander van der Horst (who is currently one of my research advisers!) my very first semester, so it served as my introduction to the GWDepartment of Physics-and to the department's beloved SCALE-UP teaching method, which is far more problem-solving based than a traditional lecture! It was really cool to learn about a subject that I had always been passionate about alongside peers who just thought the class sounded like a cool way to fulfill their lab requirement. It really challenged me to consider how to communicate science and math concepts in a way that is both interesting and useful to my audience, a skill that has served me throughout my undergraduate career. I had been a bit uncertain about whether or not I should actually pursue a degree in physics upon entering college, but it was really this class (and my first introductory physics course taught by my now other research advisor, Dr.Axel Schmidt) that convinced me to give it a proper go. I feel very lucky to have had such wonderful professors and mentors here at GW, and I owe a lot of my success to my wonderful department.

Kurdo Shali, B.S., GW Engineering

Seeing the Walk for Peace-that was an "only at GW" moment. The fact that they walked through our campus and sat in our auditorium was crazy.

Jessica Taylor, M.A., Education and Human Development, Organizational Leadership and Learning

My time at GW has been defined by the realization that leadership isn't just a title; it is a practice of lifelong learning. As a graduate program associate supporting our nursing students, I often found myself applying the theories from my organizational leadership and learning courses in real time. My academic journey didn't just exist in a textbook; it breathed life into my professional service on the Staff Council, my professional role and various university committees.

Beyond the office and the online classroom, the most profound lesson was the one I taught at home in Leesburg. Showing my eight-year-old daughter, Holland Taylor, that her mother could be a dedicated professional and a curious student simultaneously was an invaluable added bonus. I carry with me the memory of her seeing me study and realizing that education doesn't end with a single milestone. As I graduate, I leave with the certainty that being a lifelong learner has made me a more empathetic leader, a more effective colleague, and a role model for the next generation.

Gabriela Walters, B.S.N., School of Nursing

When I got accepted to the nursing program at GW, I was thrilled to join a community I had always looked up to. Though our program was only 15 months, I made memories I will carry with me forever. Because the nursing school is small, I was able to build close relationships with many professors, something I never expected but will always treasure. I'll never forget scheduling a meeting with one professor and having her suggest we simply take a walk around campus while we talked. That moment captured something special about the people here.

I also made incredible memories with friends from the program. Since our campus was in Virginia, we would get together on Saturdays to study on the Foggy Bottom campus and would try a new D.C. restaurant every week. Getting to experience GW across different campuses made me fall in love with it in a way I didn't anticipate and made it possible for me and my friends to build many wonderful memories. These experiences reminded me that GW is so much more than a school, it is a community, and I am so grateful to have been a part of it.

Zainab Zainy, M.A., Organizational Leadership and Learning

A day that I will never forget is my first day of class at GW. After many years away from school, I returned to the classroom happy and nervous at once. I met my cohort for the first time. It was inspiring to see the diversity of backgrounds, experiences and interests that brought us all together in the same room. From the very beginning, the group was warm and welcoming, and we quickly connected with each other. It felt like a family from day one. Everyone brought enthusiasm, curiosity, knowledge and innovation, which made our class environment so energizing and supportive. On that first day, the journey ahead felt long and uncertain, and now, standing here as I graduate, I feel a bittersweet sense of gratitude for how far we have all come.