Xavier Golden always planned to become a doctor; but after joining the military and discovering tech careers through TikTok, he switched paths to computer science, earning his degree and more than one job offer.

Jacqueline Hernandez-Burgos would have never guessed that when she transferred to UAB she would also become familiar with UAB Medicine.

After an accomplished four years on UAB’s campus, Patel will walk across the commencement stage to graduate with her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Heersink’s exemplary service to UAB has been recognized by one of the highest honors bestowed at the institution, the President’s Medal.

Colton Segars pivoted from history to nursing after working in the Blazer Simulation Lab at the School of Nursing, finding his long-term career interest.

Nakia Coleman, an assistant director with UAB Birmingham Promise, integrates the cutting-edge skills and techniques from her online master’s program into her daily work, driving innovation and excellence.

After four years of playing with the UAB Marching Blazers, Jonah Ross will graduate with his bachelor’s degree from the UAB School of Engineering.

More than half of the university’s 1,954 graduating students will walk in commencement this semester. The UAB President’s Medal will be awarded to Marnix E. Heersink, M.D.

Reagan Martin, Austin Green and Sierra Frazier all plan to pursue graduate studies in music and music education.

As stage manager for Theatre UAB’s “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812,” Juliette Sosa Valle is responsible for every part of the show, before the curtain comes up until after it comes down, to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Dominique Elston’s kidneys were failing, and dreams of becoming a nurse put on pause. Her sister, a medical student, became a living organ donor and gave her a second chance at life and a career.

Leslie Mollica resumed her education after an 11-year break, embraced opportunities in the computer science program and will graduate Aug. 10 having secured a full-time job with Southern Company.

Providing for his family has always been a constant in James Omweri’s life. This UAB chemistry graduate is now set to build a brighter future for his family as a radiochemist.

Mercedes Tarasovich focused her research in medical sociology on barriers to mental health care for an understudied population — people who have survived suicide attempts.

This semester, at least 1,621 students are eligible to graduate, and 892 students are expected to walk in two ceremonies.

Augmenting his interest in cultural exploration through language learning and exploring the past through an anthropological lens, Ali Kesserwani is set to pursue a master’s degree at Georgia Tech.

Navaneeth Shibu will spend a year in Vietnam as a Princeton in Asia fellow after graduating with a master’s degree from UAB this summer.

With a passion for health care, Sarah Ashouri learned that two degrees were not enough to provide the patient care she genuinely deserved to give.

School of Nursing student Emily Fonville quickly learned the UAB family is committed to helping each other achieve their purpose after her longtime health issues challenged her education.

Sarah Haas’ childhood experiences in hospitals with her grandmother inspired her passion for medicine and influenced the focus of her thesis on cancer.