A number of distinguished South Asian American thought leaders and innovators will grace commencement ceremonies at top colleges across the United States, offering motivational addresses and life advice to the graduating class of 2025.
At Miami Dade College, Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and CEO of Moms First, will share her message of advocacy and change. Known for championing economic equity for women and mothers, Saujani is also a bestselling author and podcast host. Her podcast, My So-Called Midlife, gained nationwide popularity, landing in Apple’s Top 10 and topping the Health and Fitness category. She started her career in law and politics and made history in 2010 as the first Indian American woman to run for a seat in the U.S. Congress. Over the years, she has become a strong voice championing affordable childcare and paid family leave across the U.S.
Sal Khan, the visionary behind Khan Academy, will address the Class of 2025 at Johns Hopkins University. Khan left a career in finance to build an online learning platform that now serves over 180 million users globally. Originally creating YouTube lessons for relatives in 2004, Khan transformed online education and became a global symbol of accessible learning. Johns Hopkins will also honor him with a Doctor of Humane Letters degree, as over 1,600 graduates receive their diplomas.
Dr. Rajiv Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation, is scheduled to deliver a talk at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. The global development expert has held key roles at USAID and the USDA and has contributed to international crisis responses in Haiti, Afghanistan, and West Africa. At Columbia, he will encourage students to lead with purpose in addressing global inequalities.
Meanwhile, acclaimed journalist and author Sonia Shah will return to Oberlin College, her alma mater, to deliver the keynote and receive an honorary degree. Known for her investigative work on global health and migration, Shah’s storytelling spans major publications and universities.
William & Mary will welcome M. Sanjayan, conservation biologist and CEO of Conservation International. Recognized by TIME as a leading voice in environmental restoration, Sanjayan will also receive an honorary degree. His work spans the globe—from scientific innovation to on-the-ground climate action—and reflects his dedication to preserving the planet for future generations.
