Besa, from Euclid, Ohio, is graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in both Information Systems and Marketing and remembers the excitement of her first day at CSU on Aug. 23, 2021, as if it were yesterday when she began her journey toward a marketing degree. Her path shifted during her third year when she took an information systems technology course, which inspired her to pursue a degree in information systems as well.  

Besa said that although balancing two majors was challenging, often requiring long hours and little sleep, it became one of her most rewarding decisions, helping to discover her purpose and confidence in her chosen path. 
 
She was praised by Brigid Campbell, an assistant college lecturer in the Department of Information Systems, who noted that Besa demonstrates exceptional collaborative skills and actively promotes connections among her classmates. Campbell said that as an African American woman in technology, Besa has set a high standard for those who follow in her footsteps, while also contributing significantly to the development of her fellow students’ abilities with patience and support. 
 
Outside the classroom, Besa is passionate about volunteering and serving underrepresented groups. She gives her time at her former high school, her local church, and the Fr. Wittman Ozanam Center, assisting those in need. 
 
“Looking back at my journey at CSU, I have learned that growth comes from taking that first step no matter if the direction is what you expected,” she said. “What started off as uncertainty became an unforgettable journey of discovery that will continue to shape who I am becoming in my life and career.”