Zuleema Isaac, B.A. '19
May 22, 2019
One day before she will address the Class of 2019 at Spring Commencement, Zuleema Isaac is putting the final touches on her speech for the big day.
When she asked what she is most looking forward to after graduation, she jokingly said "sleep."
Zuleema is tired. And, for good reason! She is busy finishing her capstone project, which explores how plea bargaining undermines the criminal justice system. And when she's not studying for finals, she's gathering craft supplies to decorate her graduation cap with Lady Justice and her scales.
She may be exhausted, but she is very excited. After May 23, she will finally be able to call herself a college graduate.
It was a long journey – nine years of intermittent study in and out of school – but because of her grit, she will walk across the stage earning her bachelor's in Philosophy, Law & Ethics with a minor in Psychology.
Grit is the theme of her upcoming speech — one that she thinks will resonate with her fellow graduates.
"Courage, conscientious, endurance, resilience and excellence are the five characteristics of grit, and that's something that we all have in common," Zuleema said.
In addition to thanking her mother, step-father and siblings at the event, Zuleema will be wearing a stole featuring the Liberian flag, a nod to her father who will not be attendance because it is also graduation day at the African Methodist Episcopal University where he is president.
After commencement, she's looking forward to the celebrations – a party at her family's house in Bowie and a night out in Baltimore with her four best friends where they will be painting the town red UB Blue.
What's next?
She hopes to enter law school this fall.
"Thanks to UBalt, I've been afforded so many opportunities," Zuleema said. "This is where it all leads. Law school is my destiny."
On Thursday she will be a college graduate, but she is already anticipating when she can introduce herself as Zuleema Isaac, Esquire.
"It will be a dream come true."
For more information on 2019's Spring Commencement Ceremony and for live stream information, please click here.