I was honored to deliver the commencement address to the University of Illinois Department of Communication Class of 2018. Standing before these graduates, I reflected on my own departure from campus two decades prior, when I ventured into the unknown as a software company’s first knowledge manager—a role that eventually connected me with the creators of Siri. While my generation focused on the technical integration of the internet into daily routines, today’s graduates face a more complex landscape defined by the ethical and social parameters of our digital lives.

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We are living through a period where the ability to bridge diverse perspectives is the most critical asset in any organization or society. I shared with the students that their mastery of communication is not just an academic achievement, but a vital toolkit for navigating a world grappling with gun violence, gender pay gaps, and the weaponization of data. From corporate boardrooms to the White House, the skills to separate fact from opinion and build trusting relationships are what allow leaders to chart a path forward.

 

As we look toward the continued evolution of agentic technology and global business, the ROI of a communication degree remains unmatched. These graduates are uniquely equipped to lead the national conversations that establish how we live and work together. I encouraged them to say yes to the unknown, confident that their Illinois education has provided the rigorous framework necessary for any uncharted journey.