Claudia Roman found her joy in working in the community and creating meaningful change while a student at American University. 

Roman, SPA/BA ’22, glows when talking about being a part of that change following graduation. The Virginia Beach native will head into the world along with approximately 850 other graduates following this fall’s commencement. 

“It’s something I’ve worked really hard for, and I’m excited to move to the next part of my life,” Roman said recently at AU's Change Can't Wait Festival. 

Roman and her fellow students will walk into Bender Arena on December 18 to the familiar commencement sounds of bagpipes in Bender Arena to receive their degrees from all eight of AU’s schools and programs. The two ceremonies take place at 9 a.m. (CAS, Kogod, SOE, Professional Studies) and 1:30 p.m. (SPA, SIS, SOC, WCL). 

Thasunda Brown Duckett, a leader in American business, philanthropy, and education, will deliver the keynote address at AU’s two fall commencement ceremonies. Duckett is the president and chief executive officer of TIAA, a provider of secure retirements and outcome-focused investment solutions, and only the fourth Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company.   

“Thasunda Brown Duckett embodies the AU changemaker spirit in her leadership, her community engagement, and her commitment to making a positive impact,” said AU President Sylvia M. Burwell. “Her charge and lessons to our graduates will be a fitting capstone to their AU experience, where they prepared for lives of purpose through hard work and support from our expert faculty, dedicated staff, and unique community of changemakers.”  

Prior to joining TIAA in 2021, Duckett served as CEO of Chase Consumer Banking, CEO of Chase Auto Finance, and national retail sales executive for Chase Mortgage Banking. Earlier in her career, she was director of emerging markets at Fannie Mae.   

Duckett serves on the boards of NIKE Inc., Brex Inc., the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation, Sesame Workshop, the National Medal of Honor Museum, the Economic Club of New York, and the advisory board for Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business. She serves on the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), The Business Council, Business Roundtable, and the Committee for Economic Development of the Conference Board.  

“It's an honor to mark this incredibly special milestone with the fall class of 2022," Duckett said. "These graduates are entering a rapidly changing world, but with their continued resilience and strong foundation of their AU education, they're well-positioned to become the leaders who will shape a more united and equitable future. I look forward to celebrating their achievements."  

Duckett founded the Otis and Rosie Brown Foundation, in honor of her parents, to recognize and reward people who use ordinary means to empower and uplift their community in extraordinary ways. She is passionate about helping communities of color close achievement gaps in wealth creation, educational outcomes and career success. 

Duckett follows in the footsteps of the past two fall commencement speakers: CNN political correspondent Abby Phillip and NBC News journalist host Andrea Mitchell.