Nicki’s graduation story: One of extraordinary strength & resilience

As the November graduation season comes to a close, we proudly share Nicki’s story – one marked by an extraordinary sense of courage and resilience.

Earlier this year, during her last year of studies for a Bachelor of Arts in Youth and Community Studies, Nicoletta suffered the unimaginable loss of her son.

As one can only begin to imagine, this was a profoundly challenging period for Nicki and her family: a time when life seemed to stand still, when every step forward felt impossibly heavy, and when the future felt uncertain in the shadow of such immense grief.

When academics were asked to nominate an inspiring graduate, for Prof. Maria Pisani, Head of the Department of Youth, Community & Migration Studies, this year's choice was an easy one.

Nicki chose to carry her pain as she chose to finish her degree and submit her thesis.

“Resilience doesn’t mean you don’t feel the pain; it means you carry it, you pause when you need to, but you choose to go on and go forward”, as Nicki herself so beautifully put it.

Every peer, colleague and lecturer is in awe of Nicki’s strength and wish her all the very best.

Special thanks to Carisma Collections for sponsoring the gift that Prof. Pisani gave to Nicki on graduation day.