Andrea Roskam, 25, will deliver the Student Address at Carroll’s Commencement on May 24, 2006. She wants her fellow graduates from the Class of 2006 to remember one thing from her speech. In addition to diplomas, Roskam believes students should take from Carroll Community College a strong sense of confidence that no matter what their next steps are, whether big or small, dreams can really happen.

Andrea Roskam

“That’s what I want students to reflect on ten years from now when they remember commencement,” said Roskam.
Roskam is on her way to achieving a long-held dream to obtain a master’s degree in historical studies from U.M.B.C., where she will transfer this fall. The university offers a blended master’s degree program that allows students to complete their bachelor’s degrees at the same time as their master’s degrees. She graduates this spring from Carroll with an associate degree in General Studies.

Roskam came to Carroll in a non-traditional way. Prior to attending the college, she and her husband were residents of California. They worked full-time and she attended college part-time. Looking for an affordable and convenient alternative to this schedule, Roskam and her husband moved to Westminster, where she enrolled at Carroll.

“Now that I go to school full-time and work part-time, my schedule is a lot more manageable,” said Roskam. “Before, I worked 50 plus hours a week as assistant to the chief financial officer at a family-owned business. I went to school at night. I have reversed this schedule so that school is my priority. Now, I am getting farther along.”

Roskam looks back on her experience at the college and remembers how initially she felt homesick, having moved across the country. But all of that has changed. “Carroll has become a second home to me. I have wonderful friends that I don’t want to leave. Carroll has helped me to realize who I want to become,” she said.

The student speaker is also president of the Student Government Organization, a term which began in August of 2005 and expires in June 2006. She is vice president of the Photography Club, a member of the Peace Club, and participates in community involvement activities such as blood drives at the college, Student Advocacy Day, and Leadership Challenge.

A polished speaker who has addressed awards banquets, the college Board of Trustees, and attended Student Advocacy Day, Roskam said she feels honored to have been invited to be the 2006 commencement student speaker.

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