Rishita Bansal

Good morning, my fellow graduates in the Class of 2025, faculty, family and friends!

I’m honored to stand here today, looking out at so many bright, determined and — let’s admit it — relieved faces. Yes, we made it! A moment like this feels both monumental and surreal. We’ve survived countless projects, grappled with theories that kept us up until 3 a.m. and consumed enough coffee to power a small city. Yet here we are, decked out in caps and gowns, ready to claim our degrees.

I’d like to share a little story from my own journey. In my first semester, I hit a wall: I was juggling three challenging core courses, an on-campus job and a research project. I’d foolishly convinced myself I could handle it all. Needless to say, I felt overwhelmed. Fortunately, my professors and TAs offered guidance during office hours, helping me master difficult concepts and even advising me on which courses to take next. A few classmates also noticed my stress levels rising. Instead of letting me struggle alone, they stepped up to help with tricky material, provided a pep talk between lectures and delivered the kind of support I never expected. From that point on, I learned something crucial: none of us walks this path alone. It’s our support network — friends, mentors and family members who keep us going when life feels unmanageable.

Look around and you’ll see a tapestry of backgrounds and dreams. Some of us traveled far, others balanced jobs and families along with courses, but we’ve all merged our unique stories into this moment. Commencement isn’t just an ending; it’s a fresh start.

Here are three quick insights:

1. Stay Curious. Real innovation begins with asking questions.
2. Embrace Failure. It’s our best teacher if we learn and move on.
3. Remember Your “Why.” Whether it’s passion or purpose, revisit it often.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the community that helped us along the way. I want to thank the faculty who challenged us to refine our ideas and master the toughest concepts, and the University for organizing fun events that jump-started our enthusiasm each semester, offering Stressbusters during exams, and hosting informative sessions that helped us learn, grow and network. I want to thank the families who cheered us on through late nights, early mornings and long-distance calls. And finally, I thank the friends who became our family here in this new world, supporting us through thick and thin.

Let’s remember our degrees aren’t just personal achievements; they’re a call to uplift the world around us. We’ve proven we can tackle any challenge, leaving here with resilience, perspective and a strong sense of community. Whether you enter industry, academia, entrepreneurship or forge a new path, use the knowledge and skills you’ve gained for good.

Congratulations! Class of 2025, today, let’s lift our diploma holders high, remember the people who helped us get here, and step into the future with open hearts and bold ambition. I’m excited to see what we’ll accomplish, whether together or apart.

Now, let’s celebrate today; we’ve earned it! Go Comets! Whoosh!

Rishita Bansal is graduating with a Master of Science in computer science and is an ABD (all-but-dissertation) PhD candidate at UT Dallas. She is the founding president of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) UTD student chapter. She has been recognized as both an ITS Texas Scholar and a National Science Data Fabric Fellow. Bansal earned the Best Teaching Assistant Award (2021) from the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science for her dedication to students. Her entrepreneurial drive led her team to a second‑place finish in Product Base Club’s Product Pitch Competition. She plans to continue to work tirelessly on artificial intelligence solutions designed to make everyday life easier for everyone.