From Afghanistan to the Commencement Stage: Abida Mohammady Reflects on Her Journey of Resilience and Purpose at RWU

BRISTOL, R.I. – For Abida Mohammady ’25, Roger Williams University has been more than a place to earn a degree. It has served as a home away from home – a place where she found community, rebuilt confidence, and shaped a vision for creating opportunity for women on a global scale.

Originally from Afghanistan, Mohammady arrived at RWU through the Business Administration 3+1 program, earning her undergraduate degree in International Business with a concentration in Management and a minor in Psychology before continuing into the MBA program. Along the way, she immersed herself in campus life, taking on leadership roles and experiences that would ultimately lead her to the Commencement stage as this year’s graduate student speaker.

“I was pretty involved in everything,” Mohammady said. “I was a tour guide for Admission, I was an international ambassador for the International Student Office, and I was the president for Muslim Student Association, part of Global Hawks, and I worked at Starbucks.”

Her path to studying business was deeply personal. Growing up in a small village in Afghanistan, Mohammady witnessed firsthand the limitations placed on education and opportunity, particularly for women. Those experiences shaped her academic and professional ambitions.

“I was always drawn to an international business because I have always been interested in how opportunity and access shapes people's life globally,” she said. “Growing up in a small village in Afghanistan shaped my desire to understand business as a tool to change, create connection, and empowerment.”

While she once considered pursuing education as a field, Mohammady came to see business as a way to help others build economic independence.

“I saw women back in Afghanistan that they had so many beautiful talents, like making jewelry dresses, but then they didn't know how to make money from it,” she said. “That's why I thought, I should study business and then provide them with some kind of tools to understand the business as well, so they can make money for themselves.”

Her academic journey also expanded her perspective in unexpected ways, particularly through her study of psychology.

“I always thought psychology was for mental health, but that's not what it is,” she said. “If you really understand people's behavior, you can really do a lot with business.”

Like many students, Mohammady faced challenges adjusting to a new academic system, but those moments became opportunities for growth.

“I initially struggled with understanding some of the materials, and I didn't know how to get extra help,” she said. “I learned about going to office hours and that directly reaching out to professors made a big difference. It improved my understanding, and also it taught me the importance of using available resources and asking for help.”

Beyond the classroom, Mohammady built a diverse portfolio of hands-on experiences, including internships and roles that strengthened her communication, research, and leadership skills. From supporting creative storytelling with a National Geographic Photo Camp, to guiding students through higher education pathways with the School of Leadership, and conducting business research with Berkshire Innovation Center, each opportunity contributed to her development.

“Together, all these experiences have helped me become more confident in working across different fields,” she said. “They have shaped my interest in communication, education, and problem-solving roles.”

Her leadership roles on campus further reinforced the importance of collaboration and inclusion.

“I learned that effective leadership is not just about guiding others, but about collaboration, active listening and creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels supported and seen,” she said.

Those experiences, and the relationships she built, have defined her time at RWU.

“I'm also so proud of the relationship that I have built across the campus, which made my experience meaningful beyond academics,” she said. “The way that they give me that feeling of support, it’s like being a family.”

Now, as she prepares to address her fellow graduates at Commencement, Mohammady sees the moment as both an honor and a personal milestone.

“There was a time where I doubted myself,” she said. “Now, going back to this stage talking, after I rebuilt myself, it's life changing for me.”

Her speech will reflect the themes that have shaped her journey: education, community, resilience, and the support she found at RWU.

“What people can expect is definitely about education and my community here at RWU,” she said.

As she looks ahead, Mohammady carries with her a message for future students, rooted in the lessons she has learned along the way.

“Stay open. Stay involved,” she said. “Trust your ability to grow through experience. Because we learn a lot through experience, so never doubt yourself.”