Sarah Rocha

First and foremost, congratulations! All our hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment has finally paid off. But we couldn’t have done it alone. Just look around! We are supported by those who believed in us, especially when we started to disbelieve in ourselves.

Today I am walking away with my master’s degree in internal audit and data analytics at 39 years old. I’ve been working as an internal auditor for over a year now. I’m going to tell you why I am living proof that you should never give up on yourself and never lose the drive that brought you here today.

When I was 16 years old, I placed my daughter Lexie up for adoption. After that happened, I thought no one was ever going to want me. I already felt ostracized by my family, which added to my post-adoption pain. At the time, I couldn’t figure out my place in the world. I felt like a waste of space, and because of that pain, I overdosed on prescription pills.

Two years later, still a hot mess, still living in chaos, I ended up being arrested twice. While I was locked up for the second time, I found out I was pregnant with my son, André. But as I sat in my cell, I knew I had to do better for André. I was willing to do whatever it took. At that moment, I cried, praying to God to please help me out of this mess that I had created for myself. I promised I would never go back there again. A day later, I was bonded out, but on leaving, I was met with negativity. People said — behind my back and to my face — that I would never be a good mom, that I would never be anything in life. With nowhere to turn, I became homeless for a year and a half before obtaining my first apartment at age 19.

From there, I felt empowered and in control. I felt driven to prove everyone wrong. I wanted to prove not only that I could do it, but that I could do it better than anyone ever thought I could. And I did. I even met my soulmate and expanded our family. But then, it all fell apart again. It got to a point where I was tired of struggling. I was tired of taking showers out of a bucket using a Dickey’s cup. I wanted more out of life and knew I had to work for it. So, in 2012, I decided to enroll at Collin College for my Associate of Science degree.

After earning that degree, I felt so sexy and smart! I wanted more, but wondered if I could do it as a full-time mom to three boys attending college and working full time. I determined to try, so I transferred to UTD. I struggled to balance work, school and parenting. But with the flexibility of online classes and the support of my professors, I finally obtained my bachelor’s in business administration in 2019.

That experience activated my drive and grit and got me addicted to meeting challenges. That’s when I learned about UTD’s internal audit student chapter. But instead of the traditional accounting degree, I went down the road less traveled: the Master of Arts in interdisciplinary studies degree. And it was like it was built for me because I was able to achieve the unthinkable. Not only did I transform into this “Becky with the Good Hair” persona, but I also can hold my head up high. I am the first in my family to graduate with their master’s degree. I am the first to travel to London and present my UTD dissertation paper at Oxford. I have even co-authored papers presented at The School of London, Oxford, Cambridge, MIT and Harvard.

Looking back, I wouldn’t change anything. It was my journey that I had to endure to appreciate and value my family, my own determination, self-belief and self-acceptance. I may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But I am someone’s shot of tequila.

Trust me when I say that no matter what you go through in life, you will endure hardships, because adulting sucks. That’s just the fact of the matter! And you won’t always be someone’s cup of tea and that’s OK! Be that special someone’s shot of tequila, because sometimes that’s what life calls for. Most importantly, always be true to yourself and maintain your integrity. While you close this chapter and walk out these doors, remember to stay humble and allow kindness to guide you the rest of the way.

And on that final note, it is only right of me to formally recognize and pay homage to God and his grace that brought me here today. Thank you Daniel “Miklo” Bryner, Mrs. Deborah Hall, Dr. Kaaz Naqvi, Dr. Joseph Mauriello, Richard Bowen and Dr. Shawn Carraher for your mentorship and guidance on my academic journey. Without your support, I could not have done this. For those that I did not mention, just know you are in my heart, and I will text you later.

Again, congratulations, 2023 graduates! We did it!

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Sarah Rocha earned her Bachelor of Arts in business administration from UT Dallas in 2019. She is graduating with a Master of Arts in interdisciplinary studies focused on internal audit and data analytics. She is an active participant in the UT Dallas Institute of Internal Auditors Student Chapter, the North Texas Information Systems Audit and Control Association, and the Dallas Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. She received the Naveen Jindal School of Management Internal Audit Education Program Award and Scholarship, and was awarded the IAEP Certificate in 2022. She currently works as an internal auditor in the oil and gas industry and plans to continue research and speaking in the field of internal audit and corporate governance.