Juliana Acosta

Hello and welcome esteemed faculty, distinguished guests, family and friends, and graduates, to the commencement of the Class of 2023 in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. It is an honor to be here before you today.

I would like to deeply congratulate and recognize the Class of 2023 for making it through our challenging academic program. The process was not easy, and at times extremely difficult. Our accomplishments required sacrifice, humility, determination and a lot of love and support. All these qualities require an immense amount of hope. Hope that the sacrifice of time and energy you have made is worth it. Hope that your determination will pay off. And hope from the people around you, constantly encouraging you, loving you, and reminding you that you are capable, and that you are never alone.

Having had the privilege of working at a company for a few years, practicing hope has become a helpful mindset, especially in our line of work, where you will inevitably encounter stress. I would like to challenge my classmates to choose hope and patience when the temptation for stress comes along. How you choose to react to stress will impact and define your relationships, so learn to handle stress with deep care for the people around you. Please remember that good leadership means serving others before yourself.

Moreover, it is also important to constantly practice humility. Most of us graduating today will be entering into entry-level positions, and it is important to recognize our place. However, we also must recognize that each one of us has value. So please, do not catch yourself in the lie of thinking that you are insignificant as you begin your career. Your work, your time and your life matters. It’s not about where you start, but how you choose to finish. Even failures can have purpose, so take heart, hold your head up high and do not fear failure.

As you enter the workplace, I would like to encourage you to go beyond what is expected. Work with a deep conviction and precise purpose because work done with excellence is invaluable. Meanwhile, as you increase your knowledge, please recognize that the education we have received is a gift. Learn to give knowledge graciously to those around you. A good leader will raise other people up, not just themselves.

In addition, please see the value of genuinely befriending the people around you, seek mentorship consistently and with deep gratitude. I say this because it can be easy to only concentrate on ourselves. Although having ambition is important, there is more value in developing relationships with the people around you, and this mindset will take you farther in life.

On a final note, I would like to reflect on the memories and experiences we have had studying at The University of Texas at Dallas. What a journey it has been and what a privilege. On behalf of the graduating class, I would like to thank our professors and the UTD staff. Thank you for your hard work, patience and investment in the next generation.

Likewise, we should also recognize and thank our own families and friends for their much-needed love and unwavering support.

Finally, I would like to express my personal gratitude first and foremost to Jesus, who gives me hope and strength, to my husband, who loves me dearly, and to all my family and friends. Thank you so much for all your love and support throughout my life.

Congratulations, Class of 2023. Let’s get out there and be people who strive toward excellence. This means living purposeful lives, practicing loving people well, being thankful for the many gifts each of us hold, and using our knowledge to improve the world. Thank you.

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Juliana Acosta is graduating with a master’s degree in electrical engineering with a concentration in power electronics. This is the second time she’s been commencement speaker at UT Dallas. She spoke to the Class of 2018 when she earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Her professional experience includes working for Raytheon for the past five years. She has worked as a systems engineer supporting the development of multispectral targeting systems and as a power designer supporting high-energy laser platforms and radar systems. Her extracurricular activities and interests include pickleball, leading Bible studies and mentoring younger engineers entering the workplace.