Real Story: Stacy Sneed

Stacy Sneed

CSM Class of 2024, Arts and Sciences

Transfer Institution: Bowie State University
Accolades, Accomplishments, and Highlights: Winter 2024 Commencement Student Speaker, School of Liberal Arts; Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society; graduated with high honors

Graduates, this is such a special moment that we have all been waiting for; especially my family, who have been patiently waiting for many years to see this day finally come. Thank you for believing in me, even when I struggled to believe in myself. Your presence here today to support this remarkable moment is truly inspiring. Thank you all for being a part of it.

As we celebrate our graduation and embark on a new chapter in our lives, I want to take I want to take a moment to congratulate every one of my fellow Class of 2024 graduates.

We have worked hard and overcome countless challenges to get to where we are today, and we should be proud of our achievements.

I also want to express my gratitude to my husband, Kenneth Sneed, who has always supported me throughout my college career. The journey was long, but he never let me give up, even when I thought I wanted to. I also want to thank my three children, Sarita., Kenneth Jr., and Kevon, for their unwavering support.

To my friends and family, thank you for understanding that there were times when I couldn't answer my phone or engage on social media because I was working hard to achieve my goals. I am also grateful to my sisters, Donna Jones, Carla Cotton, Mary Greenfield, and Marketta Cotton; my mother, Mary Cotton; and my Uncle Earl Irby, who have always been supportive throughout my extremely long journey.

Whenever I needed assistance, CSM was always there for me with an open-door policy. Their willingness to help without hesitation made all the difference.

I want to thank my mother-in-law, Sherry Sneed Dykes, who consistently encouraged me to keep going and asked me every day if I finished yet. I am also thankful to my amazing professors who understood my challenges and struggles with my health. More importantly, understanding that I am an old lady whose comprehension seems to get the better of me.

Whenever I needed assistance, CSM was always there for me with an open-door policy. Their willingness to help without hesitation made all the difference.

I’d extend a special thanks to instructors Laura Robins, Janine Adair, Yvette Dodson, and Sarah Hand. Also, to David V. Jones, my academic advisor; his guidance and support played a vital role in my academic success, and I am immensely grateful for his mentorship. I cannot express how thankful I am for your boundless support, which has been instrumental in helping me reach this significant milestone in my life. Without your unwavering encouragement and assistance, I would not be able to stand here today, accepting my degree with pride.

When I enrolled at the College of Southern Maryland, I knew it was the right place for me. It was here that I discovered my true vision.

I am truly honored and privileged to have had the opportunity to learn from such phenomenal professors throughout my academic journey. Their guidance, expertise, and passion for teaching have been invaluable to me, and I am forever indebted to them for their unwavering support. Your support and their mentorship have helped me become the person I am today, and I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for me.

Finally, I want to thank my wonderful tutor, Carrie Wicks, who helped me understand one of my most challenging subjects: mathematics with statistics and reasoning. Boy, was that hard!

Not only was the topic difficult, but so was relearning how to study again after being out of school for 30 years. But I was determined to succeed, and I persevered and passed with Carrie’s help, with the help of others, and with lots of praying.

My journey at CSM taught me that it's important to focus on success rather than fear failure.

I had always been interested in pursuing higher education, but I struggled with consistency and never graduated from college. However, when I enrolled at the College of Southern Maryland, I knew it was the right place for me. It was here that I discovered my true vision.

CSM provided me with opportunities to receive more than $10,000 worth of scholarships from many donors in the Charles County area, which helped alleviate financial stress. I am proud to be a part of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, to graduate with high honors, and to have been on the Dean's List since my first semester at CSM.

My biggest influences have been my mother, who always believed in me; my husband, who encouraged me to further my education; and Oprah Winfrey, who inspired me with her words: "You must have some kind of vision for your life, even if you don't know the plan. You want to be in the driver's seat of your own life because, if not, life will drive you."

Today, I am graduating with an Associate of Arts in Arts and Sciences, and in two weeks, I continue my education at Bowie State University majoring in communication and broadcast journalism. My journey at CSM taught me that it's important to focus on success rather than fear failure.

Before I close, I want to share a few things with you about me. I am a 55-year-old, self-published author of children's books. I have lived with an incurable illness called sarcoidosis for 24 years. Although I am originally from Philadelphia, I graduated from high school in Alabama. In my free time, I work as an entertainment booking agent for professional dancers.

Be empowered, get educated, and help others.

It was my sarcoidosis diagnosis that changed many things for me. I had to retire from my job and faced a great number of physical and emotional challenges. In the end, what I will share with you is that I woke up one day and decided to take those things that were hurting me, and challenging me, and allow them instead to empower me.

I stopped feeling defeated and ashamed, and I started communicating about my disease with everyone, and anyone who would listen. Guess what? That turned me into an advocate, and I suddenly became the voice of many who were suffering in silence, with the same disease.

What I really want to share with you is that helping other people helped me. I created the "Purple Makeup Movement" and the "Purple Shirt and Tie Movement" to support those living with the same condition. I founded Women of Life Changing, Inc., a nonprofit organization that offers support to individuals experiencing life-changing events. And I am proudest of creating scholarships for people with my disease or their children, so that they, too, can do what I just did.

Be empowered, get educated, and help others. I promise each of you, if you help others, you’ll find that you will not only heal others; you will heal yourself, in ways you didn’t even know you needed.

As we move forward, let's remember all the valuable tools and lessons we have learned throughout our academic journey. Let's use our education, skills, and experiences to make a positive impact on the world. Whether it's in our personal or professional lives, we have the power to create meaningful change and contribute to a better future for all.

So, let's go out there and make a difference. Let's be the generation that transforms the world and leaves a lasting legacy. The future is bright, and I can't wait to see all the amazing things we will accomplish together.

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Last updated: 1/25/24