Recent grad encourages others to push to commencement

For students yearning to start the next phase of their lives, the march to commencement can feel endless and full of life-altering traps.

“One thing I would tell seniors who are right on the brink of finishing is just to power through and lean on your classmates,” said Alysia Cavender, B.S. ’23. “I felt like my class, we helped each other out so much and were all so interconnected. Never be afraid to ask for help.

“It sounds so broad, but be as tough as you can be. It is hard to power through, and I feel for them because there are times when you feel like you want to give up, but fight through that because it’s worth it.”

Having graduated with a degree in business marketing, Cavender said she has learned resiliency is a huge benefit in the business world, especially finding it within yourself. That trait helps her as marketing and sales coordinator at Materials Handling Equipment in Fort Wayne. She’s also starting her own marketing agency, Real Reach Co.

Part of that resiliency came from Cavender’s personal life as her mother passed away during the spring semester of her senior year after battling a form of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cavender said she pushed through to graduation because she knew that’s what her mother wished, calling her parents James and Debra Arnett sturdy pillars she leaned on who sacrificed for her.

One reason Cavender persevered is because of continued encouragement from the PFW faculty, along with friends.

“My whole support system has, honestly, made me who I am today—and I am so forever grateful,” Cavender said. “It kind of gives me chills because I have come a long way. Without those people teaching me, I wouldn’t be in this position.”

She particularly mentioned encouragement from Elva Resendez, clinical assistant professor of management, and Ahmed Rachdi, coordinator for international collaboration at Doermer School of Business. Resendez helped Cavender as a sophomore through the death of her sister, and Rachdi steadily checked in on her throughout the semester, along with Kent Kauffman, associate professor of business law and ethics.

“I was going through so much at a rapid rate, and you don’t know how much the little things mean,” Cavender said. “The business staff served as my secondary support network outside of my family and friends. There were times when I struggled to meet deadlines or even find the motivation to get out of bed, but they were there to support me through all of it.”

Rachdi remembers Cavender’s determination as a student in his sales marketing class.

“Alysia kept coming to class, smiling with her team, despite the pain that I know she was feeling,” Rachdi said. “She was well-prepared and eager to engage in the topics of the class, even bringing her boss, Christine Watson, to speak to us. She overcame all obstacles. What I remember most clearly, though, is her calm attitude and self-confidence. I admire her tenacity, fortitude, and enormous desire to succeed.”

Working an internship at Circle Logistics, Cavendar gained a mentor and lifelong friend in Watson. Cavender also mentioned the impact of DSB resources like attending conferences, listening to outside speakers, and gaining knowledge from sponsored events, saying everything made the jump from student to working adult easier. PFW set her up to be a business professional, Cavender said.

“I felt like my senior year made me 10 times better,” Cavender said. “The road to this moment has been filled with lessons, one after another, each shaping me as I moved forward. It’s like I’ve grown a lot in a short time, learning and adjusting as I go.

“Senior year, especially second semester, the desire to be finished intensifies. Yet, it's all about resilience and dedication to your goals. Through my experience at PFW, I've gained valuable insights into the professional realm, extending far beyond the scope of marketing. I am eager and excited for the opportunities that await me ahead.”

Cavender said she’s not done with academics, and will soon start working on her master’s degree.