Navigate College with Student Advice from Wentworth Institute Commencement
Commencement ceremonies across the USA represent a significant milestone, marking the transition from academic study to professional practice. While news articles often highlight the overarching celebrations, the most valuable takeaways for prospective and current students frequently come from the graduates themselves. At the recent Wentworth Institute Summer Commencement, held at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway, a select group of students took the stage not just to receive their diplomas, but to share hard-earned wisdom.
By examining the experiences of these student speakers, award recipients, and performers, incoming students can gather practical student advice that applies directly to their own academic and professional journeys. From balancing rigorous engineering coursework with NCAA athletics to leveraging co-op experiences for post-graduation success, these graduates provide a clear blueprint for making the most of a college education.
What Wentworth Institute’s Summer Commencement Reveals About Student Success
The students selected to participate in commencement ceremonies are typically chosen because they embody the core values of their institution. At Wentworth Institute, this means a strong commitment to hands-on learning, co-operative education, and community engagement. The stories of these five graduates demonstrate that academic success is rarely achieved in a vacuum. Instead, it is the result of strategic planning, resilience, and a willingness to step outside one’s comfort zone.
Whether you are an incoming first-year student or a upperclassman preparing for your own graduation, analyzing the paths of successful peers can help you refine your own strategy. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how to align your academic goals with your career aspirations.
Academic Excellence and Persistence in Construction Management
One of the most notable achievements at any commencement is the awarding of the Beatty Award, which recognizes the graduating undergraduate with the highest overall academic achievement. This year, Nicolas Patrick Cullinan earned this distinction as a Construction Management major. Graduating with a 4.0 cumulative GPA and making the Dean’s List every semester is a remarkable feat on its own, but Cullinan accomplished this while competing as a four-year member of two NCAA Division III athletic teams: men’s ice hockey and baseball.
The Value of Consistency in College
Balancing the demands of a rigorous technical major with the time commitments of two sports requires an exceptional level of time management and discipline. Cullinan was named the Conference of New England Scholar Athlete of the Year in both sports and took home the conference’s “Elite 21” award for the highest GPA in the tournament field. Beyond athletics, he concentrated in Commercial Real Estate, minored in Business Management, completed two co-ops at Gilbane Building Company, and was inducted into the Sigma Lambda Chi International Construction Honor Society.
When asked what student advice he would offer to incoming students, Cullinan focused on the power of consistency. “Simply keep showing up every single day, through the good times and the bad,” he stated. He emphasized that the journey will include both incredible highs and tremendous lows, but persistence is key. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of building a reliable support network: “Find the people who will be there for you in the tough times and be there for them when they need you.”
Gaining Real-World Experience Through Co-ops
Wentworth Institute is well-known for its co-op model, which integrates professional work experience directly into the academic curriculum. The recent commencement highlighted how critical these experiences are for shaping career trajectories.
Why You Should Step Outside Your Major
Hugo Hernandez Chavez, a Computer Information Systems graduate who served as the student speaker for the morning ceremony, completed three co-ops with Harvard University Information Technology. His roles ranged from field support to managing the walk-in desk. As a first-generation college student and immigrant from Mexico, Chavez arrived at Wentworth with a specific interest in educational access and using technology to remove barriers for other students.
Chavez also demonstrated an entrepreneurial streak by participating in Accelerate’s Rapid Pitch competition. His primary piece of student advice centers on academic exploration. “Don’t confine yourself within the walls of your major,” Chavez advised. “Take electives early on that have nothing to do with your major. It’s the one thing you won’t have room for later on, and it’s often where you stumble onto the people or ideas that end up mattering most.” This insight is particularly relevant in an increasingly interdisciplinary job market, where the ability to connect disparate ideas is a highly valued skill.
Building a Team Mentality On and Off the Field
Amanda Zweifler, the student speaker for the afternoon ceremony and a Civil Engineering graduate, also leveraged her co-ops to build hands-on experience in project engineering and field operations. However, her most defining college experience was her role on the women’s volleyball team. Earning Libero of the Year honors as a senior and becoming just the sixth player in Wentworth history to record over 1,000 career digs, Zweifler understands the mechanics of teamwork.
Her student advice focuses on finding and fostering a team environment. “My favorite thing about Wentworth has been being part of a team and getting to experience moments like winning the conference for the first time in five years,” she shared. “There’s something really special about the environment here, the support, the energy, and the people who all come together to celebrate each other’s success.” Zweifler plans to carry this team-first mentality into her future as she pursues graduate studies while serving as an assistant coach for the volleyball team. Explore our related articles for further reading on how extracurricular activities complement academic learning.
Balancing Engineering Studies with Campus Life
Academic rigor and professional experience are foundational, but the graduates featured in recent news articles also demonstrate the importance of personal growth and campus involvement. A well-rounded college experience prepares students to communicate effectively, manage stress, and approach problems creatively.
The Benefit of Saying Yes to Campus Opportunities
Dylan Brandano, a Mechanical Engineering graduate who sang the National Anthem at the morning ceremony, embodies this balanced approach. In addition to completing his degree and a minor in Manufacturing, Brandano developed his skills as a vocalist and a self-taught guitar player. He was also a fixture in club and intramural athletics, playing rugby and competing in various intramural sports across Wentworth and the Colleges of the Fenway.
Brandano’s student advice is direct and actionable: “Say yes to everything. It is a privilege to be busy.” He encourages students to meet up with friends, play club sports, participate in school events, and take every opportunity to get involved. “Because if you don’t, four years from now you will look back and wish you had said yes more often.”
Jocelyn Salzman, who sang the National Anthem for the afternoon ceremony, offers a similar parallel. Traveling from Vancouver, Washington, to study Biomedical Engineering, Salzman dedicated three years to The Sirens a cappella group, serving as vice president for five semesters. Her ability to balance a demanding STEM major with a leadership role in the arts made her a highly competitive candidate, leading to a post-graduation position in the Biomedical Engineering Department at Massachusetts General Hospital. Submit your application today to start building your own well-rounded college experience.
Applying Wentworth Institute Student Advice to Your Own Education
The stories emerging from the Wentworth Institute Summer Commencement provide a cohesive strategy for college success that applies far beyond the boundaries of a single campus. By synthesizing the experiences of these graduates, prospective and current students can identify four actionable pillars to guide their education:
1. Build a routine based on persistence. As Nicolas Cullinan demonstrated through his 4.0 GPA and dual-sport athletic career, talent is only a starting point. Long-term academic success requires showing up consistently, especially when facing difficult coursework or exhausting schedules.
2. Broaden your academic horizons early. Hugo Hernandez Chavez’s recommendation to take unrelated electives during your first or second year is strategic. As upper-division major requirements take over your schedule, the window for academic exploration closes. Use your early semesters to discover secondary interests that can differentiate your career profile.
3. Lean into collaborative environments. Whether it is through NCAA athletics, like Amanda Zweifler, or an a cappella group, like Jocelyn Salzman, learning to work with others toward a common goal is essential. The support systems you build in these groups often become the networks you rely upon during challenging academic periods and job searches.
4. Maximize your campus involvement. Dylan Brandano’s philosophy of saying “yes” addresses a common regret among graduates: missed opportunities. College campuses offer a density of clubs, events, and organizations that is rarely matched in the professional world. Engaging with them builds soft skills and creates a richer, more memorable college experience.
Commencement ceremonies are often viewed as an ending, but for those paying attention, they serve as a detailed roadmap. The student advice shared by the Wentworth Institute Class of 2026 reinforces that a successful college career is measured not just by grades, but by the experiences you pursue, the resilience you build, and the people you support along the way.
