Sandra Cuenca

Good afternoon, fellow graduates, esteemed faculty, families and friends. Today is not just a day of celebration; it’s a testament to how far we’ve come, how much we’ve grown and how many obstacles we’ve overcome to be where we are today. We stand here not only because of our hard work but also because of the people who believed in us when we barely believed in ourselves.

When I reflect on my journey at UTD, I’m reminded of something my parents always said growing up: “You can’t choose where you’re planted, but you can choose how you grow.” As a first-generation, Colombian-American student, UTD became my garden — a place where I could choose to grow into something I never even imagined was possible. I remember being 6 years old, seeing the broken health care system in Colombia and dreaming of becoming a doctor so that I could use my hands for change. Back then, I didn’t know how that dream would ever come true. But now, standing here today, I see that all of us — each in our own way — have turned our dreams into reality. This is our moment of becoming.

I think we all came to UTD with our own sets of questions, dreams and insecurities. Some of us came here hoping to find a sense of belonging. Some of us were carrying the weight of family expectations, working jobs to pay bills while balancing the workload of UTD classes. Some of us, like me, spent sleepless nights in the ER, working shifts from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., only to drag myself to campus for an early organic chemistry class. I’ve lost count of how many times I asked myself, “How am I going to make it through this one?”

But that’s the thing about UTD — it’s not just about academics, it’s about resilience. We’ve learned to thrive in the chaos, to grow from our hardships and to make the impossible, possible.

UTD didn’t just provide the academic foundation I needed to go to medical school — it helped me grow into a leader; it taught me how to step up and face the challenges that come with caring for others. When I first started here, I remember feeling too nervous to even raise my hand in class. The idea of speaking up, let alone taking on leadership roles, felt completely out of reach. But today, I stand here as the president of our MEDLIFE chapter, I lead two research projects, I mentor freshmen and assist in a neuro-oncology clinic. I’m doing things I never imagined myself capable of when I first arrived. UTD has given me the confidence and the tools to make an impact in whatever comes next, both in medicine and beyond. But I could not have gotten to where I am today by myself.

None of us reached this milestone on our own. We were supported by faculty who challenged us, mentors who guided us and loved ones who believed in us ­— even when we did not believe in ourselves. UTD wasn’t just where I pursued my degree — it’s where I found my family. It’s where I met lifelong friends who would stand by me through every challenge, celebrate my wins and, yes, even stand by me on my wedding day. UTD is where I met my life partner. This place has been more than an institution — it’s been home. These relationships are as much a part of my education as anything I learned in the classroom, and I know that many of you have found similar connections that will last a lifetime.

And so, I invite every graduate here today to take a moment to reflect on those who stood by you — whether it was a family member who worked long hours to help pay for your education, a friend who offered a listening ear when you were freaking out about that new crush or exam, or a professor who pushed you to think beyond the obvious. Let’s take this moment to say, “thank you,” because today is as much a celebration of their dedication as it is of our achievements.

As we step into the unknown, we carry more than diplomas. We carry the stories, the late nights, the failures and the triumphs that have shaped us. Whether we’re entering research, clinical practice, industry, teaching or a completely different field, we have learned to face challenges head-on, to be relentless in the pursuit of our goals and to remain compassionate in everything we do. UTD taught us how to fight for what we believe in and who we can be.

Working in the brain cancer clinic taught me how fragile life is and how precious time can be. In moments like those, I realized that the lessons we’ve learned at UTD go beyond critical thinking or complex problem-solving — they shape who we are and how we engage with the world. Those moments taught us to be compassionate in a world that desperately needs it. We are the ones who will heal, innovate and, most importantly, lead.

So today isn’t the end of the story. It’s just the beginning of the next chapter, where we take what UTD has given us and plant ourselves into new gardens. And just like before, we will grow. We will rise to meet whatever lies ahead with the same determination and grit that got us here in the first place.

Congratulations to the Class of 2024. May we continue to grow, inspire and transform the world around us.         

Thank you!

Sandra Cuenca is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in medical neuroscience. She joined UTDallas in fall 2021 and has been an active member in her community. Along with being an undergraduate research assistant in both a biomechanics laboratory and an intraoperative neuromonitoring laboratory, she was the president of the UTD MEDLIFE chapter. As president, she strengthened partnerships with impoverished countries to improve access to healthcare, education and development. She expanded the organization’s reach by coordinating volunteer trips abroad, organizing fundraisers and empowering members to make a tangible social impact. She served as a freshman mentor, guiding new students through their transition to college life, providing academic and emotional support to help them succeed. Additionally, she engaged in numerous volunteering initiatives locally and abroad. Some of these included meeting bimonthly to prepare meals for the homeless and studying abroad in Australia to learn about gender and racial violence, where she volunteered to support marginalized communities impacted by these issues.Throughout her studies, Cuenca gained hands-on medical experience working as a scribe in the ER at two hospitals and as a medical assistant and office manager in a neuro-oncology clinic. She has also been recognized on the dean’s list on multiple occasions in honor of her academic dedication. After graduation, she plans to work as an intraoperative neuromonitoring technician during her gap year while going through the medical school application cycle, with the goal of ultimately pursuing a career in surgery.