The Class of 2022 has had many triumphs throughout their time at Michigan State that deserve recognition at the end of this journey. To celebrate their accomplishments, the university’s spring commencement ceremonies are returning to a pre-COVID pandemic format, held in person at the Breslin Center with graduating students’ family, friends and supporters.
Sachi Arora, graduating supply chain management senior
On May 7, Sachi Arora, graduating supply chain management senior, will take the stage at the Breslin Center to address her peers as the Broad College of Business’ 2022 commencement speaker.
“I am extremely humbled and excited to address the Class of 2022 at commencement,” she said. “This position is such a high honor and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am grateful to have been selected and passionate about the message I want to share with my peers.”
Finding the courage to take leaps of faith is the central theme of Arora’s speech. During her time at Broad, she has learned again and again that exploring new, unfamiliar opportunities can lead to tremendous outcomes.
“I have evolved immensely into a confident, decisive, compassionate businesswoman. But along the way, there were countless times when I did not believe in myself,” she said. “Despite this, I pushed myself to lean into uncomfortable situations and take the leap of faith. I think many of my peers in the business college can resonate with this idea. The past four years have been full of leaps of faith. Taking the leap has been a key to my success thus far, and I want to encourage my peers to not be afraid to continue to take leaps of faith in this next chapter of their lives.”
As a first-generation college student and a woman of color in business, Arora acknowledged the many Broad resources, faculty, peers and loved ones that have supported her during her Spartan journey. She especially wouldn’t be who she is today without her parents, who immigrated to the United States in 2000.
“As the first in my family to attend college in the States, becoming commencement speaker symbolizes the fulfillment of the American dream my parents worked so hard to achieve and represents all the sacrifices my parents made to get me to this point today,” she said. “I cannot imagine a better way for me to thank my parents for all they have done for me. This graduation is not only a huge accomplishment for myself but for my parents, too.
“I was inspired to lead by example and serve as a role model for women of color in business. Reflecting on my childhood, there was not much representation of women who looked like me,” she continued. “That common narrative for many young women of color has always pushed me to work harder for success. Speaking at commencement serves as a form of representation that I never saw growing up. To be a woman that younger and prospective students can use as inspiration is what drives me.”
While at MSU, Arora has been involved in several extracurriculars and leadership roles, including president and community service chair of the Women in Business Students’ Association, student coordinator for the Residential Business Community and an undergraduate research assistant for the Broad Scholar Program. Through it all, she said, the Broad College cultivates an environment where students are encouraged to grow and learn collaboratively, which has helped to shape her own experience.
“The Broad community is truly the most supportive and selfless community I have been a part of. Broad Spartans are resilient, humble, constantly challenging what it means to be a leader and, most importantly, there for one another,” she explained. “The selfless, supportive spirit from both students and faculty of Broad is unmatched and is why the sense of community at Broad is unlike any other university. They have taught me how to be adaptable, how to lead in times of uncertainty, and pushed me to be innovative.”
After graduating, Arora will take on a full-time position as a procurement consultant at IBM in Raleigh, North Carolina. Although away from East Lansing, Arora intends to stay connected to her alma mater.
“I’m looking forward to carrying on the Broad Spartan mindset and legacy in my future career, as well as growing my passion for supply chain management. I aim to continue giving back to Broad students through mentorship and other avenues, as well as connect with Broad Spartans wherever I go.”
Michigan State University’s spring 2022 commencement will return to the pre-COVID pandemic format and will not require masks or have capacity restrictions. For more information on commencement ceremonies, visit commencement.msu.edu.
