Reynolds announces Sayed Ahmad Shad Sekandary as the Commencement student speaker

As Reynolds Community College prepares to celebrate its newest graduates, one voice is set to capture the spirit of the moment. Sayed Ahmad Shad Sekandary — a rising technologist, researcher, and student leader — has been selected as the 2026 Commencement student speaker, a role that reflects both his remarkable journey and the energy he brings to the Reynolds community.

When Sayed looks back on the path that brought him to Reynolds, he sees more than a series of milestones. Originally from Paktika, Afghanistan, Sayed arrived in the United States at the beginning of 2024 and immediately began building a new life in an unfamiliar environment shaped by new academic systems, cultural expectations, and responsibilities.

Today, he is celebrating the completion of an associate degree in Computer Science, an accomplishment earned while working full-time and helping support his family. This demanding balance has defined his experience as much as his academic success. With his sights set on a future in cybersecurity and emerging technologies, his goal is clear: to create solutions that address real-world challenges and strengthen communities through innovation.

A bold start in a new country

Encouraged by a coworker, Sayed earned his GED within his first month in the country, a pivotal step that set everything else in motion. From there, he began searching for a college that could match his ambition while supporting the realities of daily life.

Reynolds stood out.

With access to advising, financial aid support, and flexible scheduling, Sayed found a place where he could move forward without compromise. Proximity mattered, too. Sharing one car with a family of seven meant every decision required careful planning. At Reynolds, he found both practicality and possibility.

Learning beyond the classroom

Once on campus, Sayed quickly immersed himself in opportunities that extended far beyond coursework. Through the National Society of Leadership and Success and the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) Fellows Program, he developed the communication and leadership skills that now shape his voice as a speaker.

He also stepped into research, contributing to a project focused on Internet of Things (IoT) devices and cybersecurity. Using machine learning techniques to improve protections for edge devices such as Raspberry Pi, Sayed co-authored a published research paper with the Reynolds team, a milestone that sharpened both his technical expertise and his confidence.

During the VCCS 60th Anniversary celebration, he connected with state leaders including Governor Abigail Spanberger and Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi, as well as Reynolds President Dr. Paula Pando.

These experiences — academic, professional, and collaborative — have shaped him into a communicator who understands both the technical and human side of innovation.

Faculty who fuel momentum

Behind Sayed’s success is a network of faculty who have challenged and supported him at every step. He credits professors Karen Neal and Rebekah Pierce for helping him strengthen his critical thinking, writing, and academic discipline.

Professor Pierce sees that impact clearly. She describes Sayed as a student who “approached his education with curiosity, humility and determination from day one” and whose insight and engagement elevated those around him. His ability to connect ideas, people, and perspectives, she notes, makes him a natural representative of the graduating class.

“When I first met Sayed, I immediately recognized his confidence, poise, and dedication to his academics and family, as anyone who meets him does. I have no doubt that he has been an asset to Reynolds, his fellow students, and anyone who meets him,” said Karen Neal, Biotechnology Department chair and associate professor of biology.

As Commencement approaches, Associate Professor of Communication David Stern has been working closely with Sayed to refine his speech delivery. For a student whose first language is not English, that mentorship has made a powerful difference — sharpening his message and helping him step confidently into one of the most visible moments of his academic journey.

Stepping onto the Commencement stage

Sayed’s selection as Commencement speaker reflects more than academic achievement — it reflects his ability to represent the many paths students take to reach graduation.

“I want to represent students who carry responsibilities beyond the classroom,” he said. “Students who go from work to class, from home to campus, and back again.”

Now, as graduation approaches, Sayed is preparing to deliver a message that will bring his classmates together.

Looking ahead

After graduation, Sayed plans to continue his education while advancing in the technology field, focusing on cybersecurity solutions that protect systems and empower organizations. He remains driven by the same goal that first sparked his interest in technology: to make a meaningful impact.

As Reynolds counts down to Commencement, Sayed stands ready to take the stage — not just as a speaker, but as a symbol of what’s possible when opportunity meets action.

And when he steps to the podium, he won’t just be telling his story.

He’ll be helping define the moment for an entire graduating class.

Reynolds Spring Commencement takes place at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at the Stuart C. Siegel Center at VCU.