Johnson & Wales University Online students walked with JWU on-ground students in commencement ceremonies at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 30 and at the Amica Mutual Pavillion in Providence, Rhode, Island on May 2.
JWU Online also hosted a Senior Toast at the Wildcat Center in Providence on the afternoon before commencement, giving graduating students the opportunity to receive congratulations in-person and thank the faculty and staff who had supported them throughout their journey.
Seventeen graduating students — now JWU alumni — share what commencement means, why they came to JWU Online, what challenges they overcame and what they derived personally and professionally to take with them as they forge their futures.
JWU Alums Returning To Further Their Education
Jarrchell India Benton ’22, ’26, Master of Public Administration shares that returning to JWU, this time as an online student, gives her a chance to redefine her career path as she transitions into the next chapter in her professional journey.
“Long-term, my goals are centered on leadership, service, and creating meaningful impact within public systems, particularly throughout the City of Providence. I have a passion for policy and procedure, and I strive to grow into a role where I can contribute to improving systems that directly serve the community.
“Completing my MPA degree attests to how far I have come in reclaiming goals I once thought were out of reach and finding a career path that truly fits. Earning my degree within one year reflects my focus, discipline, and determination. With time and experience, I am committed to pursuing a career path that truly aligns with goals!”
Maiya McClain ’18, ’20, ’26, MBA – Human Resources Management is a culinary arts food service supervisor and sous chef for a dining services department at a university in Connecticut. A JWU alumna, McClain earned an associate degree in Culinary Arts in 2018 and a bachelor’s degree in food service management in 2020. “I love the human resources field, so last year I enrolled at JWU Online to earn my MBA with a concentration in Human Resources Management. I’m so happy to have had this opportunity to be back in school at JWU and further my education – and so excited to start this new chapter of my life!”
Michael Yates ’23, ’26, MBA – Event Leadership, who started his career as a dishwasher at a mom-and-pop restaurant in North Alabama, declares, “Becoming an executive chef has been a big mountain to climb – and the journey continues.”
After graduating from JWU with a B.S. Culinary Arts & Food Service Management degree, Yates was a chef at various restaurants but wanted to learn about the business side to advance his career in private clubs. Yates explains, “Recruiters would ask me, ‘What are you doing to learn, to keep growing – and to instill that ethic into the teams you oversee?
“I recognized that longevity in a job helps you get hired, but so does education. Now when recruiters ask me what I’m doing for my future, earning the MBA degree demonstrates that I am serious about continuing to learn and dedicated to managing events and mentoring teams.
“I returned to JWU Online to earn the MBA because of the quality of education I received in the bachelor’s program, the professionalism of the advisors and the passion the professors have for teaching. Earning the degree has given me confidence to move forward in a sustainable career while keeping my passion for culinary arts alive.”
Mentorship From Faculty
Hannah Levy ‘26, B.S. – Hospitality Management declares, “Every class gave me knowledge, confidence, and skills that helped me grow and move forward in my career. If I had to choose where to continue my education again, I would choose JWU every time.”
Levy asserts that JWU truly exceeded her expectations because, “The professors were always there to provide support and answer my questions. More than just teaching, the professors help students believe in themselves and reach their goals. As an online student, that support made me feel confident, motivated, and reminded me that I was never alone in this journey. I am so thankful for faculty who make a difference in the lives of their students every day.”
Jennifer L. Butler ‘26, M.S. – Operations & Project Management chose JWU Online for its strong reputation of providing practical, career-focused education. Essential for Butler was the flexibility of the online format that allowed her to continue working full-time while in the program.
“I found the coursework to be directly applicable to my work, especially in areas like project management, planning, and evaluation. Working in a federal environment where procurement planning, compliance, and strategic decision-making are critical to mission success, this degree has strengthened my ability to analyze complex requirements, evaluate vendors effectively, and align procurement strategies with regulatory frameworks.
“Earning this degree is a personal milestone reflecting my commitment to growth, discipline, and long-term career advancement, especially while balancing the demands of work and everyday life. It signifies not only the knowledge I’ve gained, but also the resilience and adaptability I’ve developed throughout the journey. More than an academic achievement, this degree is a tool I will actively use to grow professionally and make meaningful contributions in my field.”
Ajay Patel, MD ‘26, MBA – Finance believes that as a surgeon and a leader, he is “better equipped to navigate healthcare administration, improve operational efficiency, and contribute to strategic planning that will result in improved patient care.” Patel notes, “This degree will allow me to approach future leadership roles combining my passion for clinical excellence with sound financial and organizational decision-making.
“Earning my MBA with a concentration in Finance has provided me with a broader academic understanding of the economic, financial, and operational side of business. Applying this framework will give me a more holistic view of the healthcare industry. On a personal level, my father always emphasized the importance of education, and earning an MBA has allowed me to exemplify to my children that learning never stops.”
Navigating Challenges
Joshua Orndorff ‘26, B.S. – Computer Science explains,“Growing up in the 90s, getting hired was all about the degree. Then it flipped so that employers gave preference to experience. Today, companies, like the one I work for, want the degree and the work experience — now I have both.”
For Orndorff, commencement is the accomplishment of a goal he envisioned twenty years ago. Suffering a major setback when the first university he attended closed in the middle of earning a bachelor’s degree, Orndorff shares, “The experience felt like a failure to me. And given the length of time I had been out of school, some wanted me to repeat all of the coursework I had done. JWU Online was able to transfer all but one of the credits I had earned toward a bachelor’s degree.
“For a long time, I thought there would be no opportunity for me to complete the degree. But I was encouraged by something my high school World History teacher, Mr. Tyson, had said, ‘One step back, two steps forward. Never look at it as a failure. Look at it as a chance to find a different way to finish what you started.’
“JWU gave me a different way. It feels awesome to be graduating with a Computer Science bachelor’s degree and starting an MBA – Data Analytics degree at JWU Online.”
Direka Gordon ’26, B.S. – Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship enrolled after a family crisis, unsure if she could continue her culinary career. Earning her degree and being a finalist in the JWU Online Sharkfest 2026 competition renewed Gordon’s belief that she could achieve her entrepreneurial dreams.
“While waiting to walk across the stage at commencement,” Gordon relates. “I thought about the effort it had taken to earn this degree. The journey wasn’t easy and I was hit by a wave of emotions.
“Seeing my daughter watching me meant everything to me. I recalled how my son would come into my office, early in the morning, while I was doing homework, to give me a hug and say, ‘You’ve got this, Mommy.’ Moments like these with my family carried me through the program.
“My dad was unable to attend, so I carried his handkerchief in my pocket to keep him with me. I asked my mom not to cry, because I knew if she did, I wouldn’t be able to hold it together. Growing up there were some rough times, but I thank my parents for always being proud of me and supporting me every step of the way.
“Commencement was a beautiful day for me, walking across the stage honors every sacrifice, every early morning, every late night, and every person who poured their love into me along the way.”
Investing In The Future
Michelle Ahearn ‘26, B.S. – Business Administration, retired from one company after 25 years — 15 of which she worked in logistics and supply chain management — and then continued in supply chain operations as part of an “amazing Frito Lay team at PepsiCo.”
Ahearn declares, “I am a believer in teachable moments and in continuous learning — always striving to be a better version of myself. For me, commencement is the culmination of a lifetime of learning. Most importantly, it is an investment in my future.
“Educationally, I needed to finish what I had started to prove that I can do hard things and make my family, friends, and colleagues proud. Obtaining my degree took on a deeper meaning after losing my dad to cancer in March of last year. Michael Ambrozia taught me and my sisters the importance of hard work, never giving up, and trying your best. I did it, Pop!”
Completing The Circle
Sharon Curry-Lynch ‘26, B.S. – Business Administration explains that earning a bachelor’s degree is a milestone of a journey almost 50 years in the making.
“Graduating high school during this country’s bicentennial celebration, and from JWU Online as the country approaches its 250th anniversary is an incredibly meaningful full-circle moment. Life has thrown its fair share of curveballs along the way — there were moments of progress but also of setbacks, missed opportunities.
“Through the ups and downs, I kept pushing forward because this was a personal achievement I needed for myself. At times I questioned whether this goal still mattered and if I should keep going. But deep down, it always mattered. Earning a degree was about proving to myself something to myself and finishing what I started, even when the path wasn’t straight or easy.”
Tameka Wilkerson ‘26, B.S. – Food Industry Compliance Management made the difficult decision to step away from a leadership role in the culinary industry to undergo major surgery. Choosing to move forward with intention, she enrolled at JWU Online to continue her education beyond the associate degree she had earned in 2014.
“Walking across the stage attests to my perseverance, discipline, and growth. It is a full-circle moment in my life, where experience, sacrifice, and purpose all meet. Days later, my husband walked for his bachelor’s degree, taking us from Tennessee to Rhode Island, then to Maryland, and back home again. It’s a reminder that success is not a solo journey — it’s built together.
“Sometimes moving forward means starting over with purpose — and trusting that it will all come into full circle. This moment marks not just the completion of a degree, but the beginning of the impact I am prepared to make.”
Earning A Promotion
Djelisa Daveiga ‘26, MBA – Organizational Leadership chose the online program because it was easier for her to take classes while working full-time and managing family responsibilities. Daveiga appreciates that, “The professors and academic advisors have all been helpful.”
Applying what she was learning in the program to her role as a lead, which is one step below a supervisor in her company, Daveiga says she “took the tools for organizational leadership to work well with other people and be the best lead for my team. I approach my role with more of a business perspective now, thinking about how I can improve things for everyone.”
As Daveiga was completing the master’s degree, her company promoted her to supervisor. “They told me, ‘You have the experience and now you have the education.’
“I am thankful for the amazing support of my husband and my three children — Jaden, Giselle and Janelle — who gave me the space to do my assignments, and also to my parents. I thank everyone at JWU Online — especially Christopher and Jenny, who answered my questions and made sure I was enrolled in all of my classes.”
Advancing Career Goals
Lacey J. Meyer ‘26, M.S. – Nutrition balanced full-time work in healthcare while advancing her education. A deeply meaningful milestone for Meyers, she explains, “It required a high level of discipline, resilience, and commitment. This journey has strengthened not only my clinical knowledge in nutrition but also my confidence in applying evidence-based strategies to support individuals with complex, chronic conditions.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience has been developing the ability to critically evaluate research and translate it into practical, meaningful interventions. That skill will directly shape how I support patients and contribute to the field moving forward.
“A critical step toward my long-term career goals in clinical and functional nutrition, I plan to continue advancing my credentials while expanding my impact in both patient care and community health settings.”
Finding A New Purpose
Mercedes B. Sanchez-Whisenant ‘26, B.S. – Baking & Pastry Arts and Food Service Management, has been baking for more than 30 years. She reveals she has secretly struggled with dyslexia all her life, feeling she wasn’t smart or ‘good enough.’
“JWU Online played a significant role in helping me build confidence in myself as a student,” Sanchez-Whisenant shares.“My advisors and professors never saw me as limited — they saw me as capable. During moments when I doubted myself, they encouraged me to keep going, which changed how I saw myself and gave me confidence to believe that I could succeed at a higher level.
“I am proud to share that I have accepted a position as a Special Education teacher for the upcoming school year at P.B. Smith Elementary, where I will help students build a strong foundation so they can move forward with confidence into middle school, high school, and beyond.
“I could not have done this without my support system at home, especially my husband, who encouraged me to pursue my bachelor’s degree at Johnson & Wales and supported me even in moments when I doubted myself. I am incredibly proud now to be a Johnson & Wales graduate.”
Johnson & Wales University Online Graduates Become Proud Alumni
McKenzie Thibeault ‘26, MBA – Event Leadership notes that, ‘Commencement signifies the end of an era. It is incredibly rewarding to see the culmination of all my hard work over the past two years finally come to a close. Crossing the stage feels like the final chapter in my master’s journey, and I’m so grateful to have made it here.”
“The flexibility, the encouragement to think creatively and to innovate, the amazing dedication of the professors and the collegial culture of the online community, have made earning the MBA a rewarding experience. The MBA – Event Leadership program is worth the tuition and the time to earn the degree.
Monica G Arvizu ‘26, M.S. – Operations & Project Management, the first in her family to receive her bachelor’s and now master’s degree, says she is forever grateful for the amazing support that JWU offered.
“The journey was not easy and came with doubts, long nights and moments when quitting felt easier. I kept going because hard moments don’t break you — they build you. Every challenge shaped me into someone stronger, more disciplined and more capable. More than earning the degree; it was about someone who can handle more, lead more, achieve more.”
Shyanne M. Cabreras ‘26, B.S.B.A. – Human Resources Management offers, “Commencement is proof that hard work truly pays off. There were moments throughout this journey that challenged me, but staying committed and pushing forward has made this accomplishment incredibly rewarding. I’m proud to be a Wildcat and grateful to have had the JWU experience.”
Welcome JWU Online Alumni
JWU Online graduates, we honor your passion, perseverance and commitment to meeting challenges, advancing your current careers and charting new career paths. We proudly welcome you as lifelong JWU Alumni.
