Staff Writers
Mary Hansard, a Cleveland native, U.S. Army sergeant and former foster youth, has been named the Fall 2025 valedictorian at Cleveland State University (CSU). The achievement marks a significant milestone not only for Hansard, but also for the many Cleveland students navigating nontraditional paths to higher education. According to a Cleveland State University news release, she will graduate from the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education with a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership and urban studies, an accomplishment she reached while serving on active duty in the Army.
Her journey reflects years of resilience strengthened by academic achievement, military service and her ongoing commitment to giving foster youth the encouragement and stability she fought to find.
Academic Excellence and Campus Leadership
Throughout her time at CSU, Hansard consistently earned a place on the Dean’s List every semester, a testament to her determination and discipline. She is also a Mathilde Jane Endowment Scholar, recognized for her academic promise in fields related to public affairs and urban education.
Beyond the classroom, Hansard contributed to campus safety and engagement as a marketing assistant, helping coordinate a university-wide safety program video. The project aimed to strengthen student awareness and promote a safer learning environment—an effort aligning with CSU’s broader commitment to campus well-being.
A Foster-Care Alumna Who Returned to Serve Youth 
Hansard’s academic success is deeply rooted in her lived experience as a former foster youth. She earned a full-ride scholarship through the Sullivan-Deckard Scholarship Opportunity Program, which supports young people aging out of foster care with tuition assistance, year-round housing, mentoring and academic coaching.
The program, highlighted by CSU’s Pratt Center for Student Success, is designed to address steep national disparities: research shows that fewer than half of foster youth apply to college, and less than 10 percent ultimately earn a degree. Hansard’s rise to valedictorian stands in powerful contrast to these statistics, underscoring what comprehensive support can mean for students from historically marginalized backgrounds.
From 2022 to 2024, she took her experience full circle—serving as a licensed foster parent and caring for high-risk youth. CSU notes that the work strengthened her compassion, leadership and resolve, qualities she carried into her military and academic roles.
Why Her Achievement Matters
Hansard’s journey resonates across Cleveland communities where many young people encounter barriers shaped by economic hardship, the foster-care system and limited access to educational resources. Her story demonstrates the potential of targeted support programs such as Sullivan-Deckard and CSU’s Fostering Success and Leadership Programs, which provide year-round housing, academic advising, mentorship and community-building for students with foster-care experience.
Her success also reflects the realities faced by many nontraditional and military students who must manage family commitments, work and service while pursuing their education. As an active-duty Army sergeant, Hansard demonstrates the strength and adaptability needed to carry all of that and still rise to the top of her class.
In Her Own Words: Encouragement for Foster and Nontraditional Students
“Being Valedictorian means the world to me, and it recognizes the hard work, dedication and perseverance I have demonstrated while overcoming adversity and allowing me to inspire others,” Hansard said in the CSU release. “This especially applies to youth from foster care or nontraditional backgrounds to believe in their potential.”
Her message is one of possibility, inviting young people facing instability, trauma or limited resources to see themselves reflected in her victory.
Commencement and What Comes Next
Hansard has been selected as the commencement speaker for CSU’s Fall 2025 graduation ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13. The university will livestream the ceremony on its Commencement webpage, ensuring that family, friends and community supporters can witness her address from near or far.
While CSU has not specified her next steps after graduation, Hansard’s record as soldier, scholar, mentor, foster parent, reflects a trajectory rooted in service and leadership.
Her story shows how the right support, a caring community and her own resilience can come together to create something extraordinary.
A Story That Extends Beyond the Stage
For Cleveland residents, Hansard’s achievement is more than a personal milestone. It highlights broader questions of educational access, community support and representation for youth who face systemic barriers.
Her transformative power to take advantage of struggles and create opportunities show the importance of programs that nurture students long before and long after they enter the classroom.
As she prepares to step up to the podium for the Fall 2025 commencement, Hansard stands as proof of what perseverance can achieve. Her journey offers hope to young people throughout Cleveland: with the right support and a determined heart, beating the odds a multitue of possible.
