Fall 2025 Valedictorian

Daria Besa 

Besa, from Euclid, Ohio, is graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in both Information Systems and Marketing. She still remembers the excitement of her first day at Cleveland State University on August 23, 2021—when she began what she believed would be a straightforward path toward a marketing degree. That path shifted during her junior year after taking an information systems technology course, which sparked a new passion and led her to pursue a second major.

Balancing two majors was challenging, often demanding long hours and little sleep, but Besa calls it one of her most rewarding decisions. The experience helped her discover her purpose, build confidence, and solidify her commitment to both fields.

She has earned high praise from Brigid Campbell, an assistant college lecturer in the Department of Information Systems, who shared that Besa demonstrates exceptional collaborative skills and actively cultivates connections among her classmates. Campbell noted that as an African American woman in technology, Besa has set a powerful example for those who follow while also contributing meaningfully to the growth of her peers through her patience and support.

Outside the classroom, Besa is equally committed to service. She volunteers at her former high school, her local church, and the Fr. Wittman Ozanam Center, supporting underrepresented communities and those in need.

“Looking back at my journey at CSU, I have learned that growth comes from taking that first step, no matter if the direction is what you expected,” she said. “What started off as uncertainty became an unforgettable journey of discovery that will continue to shape who I am becoming in my life and career.”