From Uncertainty to Advocacy: Olivia DaSilva’s Journey Leads to the Commencement Stage

BRISTOL, R.I. – Long before she was selected to address her graduating class, Olivia DaSilva was learning how to navigate uncertainty – and more importantly, how to move forward through it.

Now, the Criminal Justice and Psychology double major with a minor in Legal Studies will take the stage as Roger Williams University’s undergraduate Commencement speaker, carrying a message informed by experience, reflection, and growth.

“To be chosen to represent the graduating Class of 2026 is a huge privilege,” DaSilva said. “This is a pivotal moment for all of us, and it is a great honor that I can leave our class with some inspiring and hopefully comforting parting words.”

For DaSilva, who commuted from Portsmouth, R.I., throughout her four years at RWU, attending the university was not always part of the plan. Initially drawn to the idea of going farther from home, her perspective shifted after visiting campus and learning more about the Criminal Justice program.

“I liked the small community feel, and I immediately felt welcome,” she said. “Four years later, I still truly believe this was the best fit for me.”

That sense of belonging became a foundation for her experience, but her sense of purpose began to emerge earlier. During her junior year of high school, reading Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson introduced her to the realities of wrongful conviction – a moment that redefined how she understood justice and the role she wanted to play in it.

“That was when I decided I wanted to go to law school,” she said. “It’s also why I chose Criminal Justice and Psychology for my majors, and Legal Studies for my minor.”

At RWU, those interests deepened through both academic and hands-on experiences. During a Criminal Justice trip to New Orleans, DaSilva encountered aspects of the system she had only studied before, gaining perspective that left a lasting impression.

“We went to a prison rodeo, and I got to speak to some of the inmates,” she said. “I am forever grateful for that opportunity, which provided me with insight into our criminal justice system that I had not known of before.”

Those conversations raised deeper questions about fairness, access, and what meaningful rehabilitation should look like.

“The main point of our correctional system is for rehabilitation,” she said. “But how can we help integrate people back into society if we do not give them the proper tools and resources to do so?”

Back on campus, DaSilva found another way to make an impact – not through policy or advocacy, but through connection. As a tour guide and later a Lead Student Admissions Ambassador, she supported and guided prospective students and their families through a process she once found overwhelming herself.

“Seeing the positive impact that you can make on someone and receiving more positive feedback in return never stops being rewarding,” she said.

DaSilva’s involvement extended across campus through the Honors Program and Honors Advisory Council, Mock Trial, Women in Justice Studies, and academic honor societies Psi Chi and Alpha Chi. More than a collection of roles, her experience has been defined by how those moments shaped her perspective and built her confidence.

Over time, those experiences began to influence not only what DaSilva wanted to do, but what she wanted to say. Whether supporting prospective students, engaging in her coursework, or stepping into unfamiliar environments, she returned to the same realization: growth rarely comes with certainty – and learning to move forward anyway is part of the process.

That growth came into sharper focus when DaSilva was accepted into law school, a milestone that carries personal significance as a first-generation college student.

“Education has always been a privilege,” she said. “I was doing something my parents and grandparents could not. Now, getting into law school and gaining an opportunity to pursue my passion, it will forever stand out.”

She credits the support and encouragement she found within the School of Justice Studies with helping her navigate that process and pursue her goals with confidence.

As she prepares to address her classmates, DaSilva said her message will center on reflection and embracing uncertainty – a theme she knows resonates with many graduates.

“It is all about slowing down and reflecting on where you are at this very moment,” she said. “It is okay to feel a little lost.”

For DaSilva, that message is rooted in her own experience – the uncertainty she once felt, the growth that followed, and the confidence she has developed along the way.

“I used to be scared to grow up and face change, but now it doesn’t seem as scary anymore,” she said. “I feel more like myself and more confident to take on any challenges that come my way.”

Looking back, she said one of the most meaningful parts of her experience has been the community she found at RWU.

“No matter what your interests are or who you are, you can find your people here,” she said. “The first year of college proved me wrong, and I have made friends that I am still close with today.”

Following graduation, DaSilva will attend Roger Williams University School of Law, where she plans to advocate for individuals who have been wrongfully convicted.

“My goal is to help those who do not have anyone in their corner,” she said.

As she prepares to step onto the Commencement stage, DaSilva’s journey reflects something many of her classmates are still discovering: that clarity does not always come at the beginning, but can be built through experience, reflection, and the willingness to keep moving forward.