Shelby Hernandez to address fellow graduates Saturday
December 10, 2025
Shelby Hernandez has a lot to celebrate this weekend. The soon-to-be alumna will not only become a first-generation college graduate surrounded by her family, but she’ll also be serving as the student speaker for the ceremony.
While Hernandez always knew she wanted to become a teacher, when she first started thinking about college, she wasn’t sure if it was for her since, neither of her parents went to college. But she didn’t let that stop her from touring colleges.
Dakota State University was the first college Hernandez visited, ultimately becoming her first choice to attend.
“I just loved it here,” she said. “The small community and everything that comes with it.”
Hernandez, who earned a degree in elementary education, will share her experience with her fellow graduates at the commencement ceremony.
When reflecting on her time in the Kennedy Center, she appreciated how amazing her professors are and how impactful they have been on her journey to become an educator. She found community and support through her professors, noting how many keep in touch even after she left their classes.
“Even after I had gone on to my student teaching, Kindra Schneider messaged me and told me how proud of me she was,” Hernandez said.
And Lori Engebretson, who Hernandez and her friends called their “college mom,” reached out when she heard that Hernandez would be the student speaker for commencement.
Although Hernandez has been student teaching at Hanson School in her hometown of Alexandria, South Dakota, for the past semester, she brought many of the lessons she learned on campus with her.
“One thing that I’ve been taught throughout my time at DSU is that it doesn’t matter who a student is or what they come from; they deserve the same love and acceptance as everyone,” Herenandez said.
As Hernandez and her fellow graduates prepare to move on to their next adventure, she intends to remind everyone that anything is possible.
“Especially with hard work and determination, you can get through anything in life, not just academically,” she said.
Hernandez is excited to celebrate with her family, especially her grandma, who was diagnosed with cancer for the second time while Hernandez was a sophomore at DSU.
In January, Hernandez will begin her role as a full-time substitute teacher and fifth and sixth-grade basketball coach at Hanson School.
Commencement information
The fall commencement ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, December 13, at 10:30 a.m. at the DSU Fieldhouse. A hooding ceremony for graduate students will take place prior to commencement at 8:30 a.m. in Dakota Prairie Playhouse. Dr. Omar El-Gayar, professor in the College of Business & Information Systems, will give the hooding commencement address.
Approximately 230 fall graduates will receive associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees, and certificates. Shelby Hernandez will speak on behalf of the graduates.