Wisdom for New Graduates

In this episode, we explore how students prepare for life after graduation through reflections from both spring 2025 graduates and accomplished SIU alumni. The episode opens with interviews from this year’s graduates, sharing their thoughts, hopes, and questions just before crossing the stage. President Mahony is then joined by three distinguished SIU alumni: Bill Luan (SIUE, class of 1984 & 1985), a senior program manager at Google; Terita M. Walker (SIU Carbondale class of 2001), principal of Denver East High School and 2025 Colorado High School Principal of the Year; and Dr. Kevin M. Simon (SIU School of Medicine, Class of 2015), chief behavioral health officer for the City of Boston and assistant professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Each guest shares how their student experiences at SIU shaped their careers, offering meaningful advice to this year’s graduating class.