Hansard, from Cleveland, Ohio, is a proud Mathilde Jane Endowment Scholar and an active-duty sergeant in the U.S. Army. She is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership and urban studies. A former Sullivan-Deckard Scholar, she overcame foster care to earn a full-ride scholarship to CSU. She has been a regular on the dean’s list every semester and served as a marketing assistant, helping coordinate a campus safety program video to promote student safety and engagement. 

 
From 2022 to 2024, Hansard gave back to the foster care system as a licensed foster parent, caring for high-risk youth and providing the stability and support she once sought. The experience strengthened her compassion, patience, and leadership—qualities reflected in her achievements at CSU and in the Army. 
 
“Being Valedictorian means the world to me, and it recognizes the hard work, dedication and perseverance I have demonstrated while overcoming adversity and allow me to inspire others,” she said. “This especially applies to youth from foster care or nontraditional backgrounds to believe in their potential.” 
 
Hansard was selected as the Commencement speaker during Saturday’s ceremony on Dec. 13. The ceremonies will be available for viewing on CSU’s Commencement web page.