Love & Commencement: SNHU Couples Who Shared Vows and the Commencement Stage
- Alyssa Lorina
- Mar 8
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 16
Feb 10, 2020 - Alyssa Taranto
351 views on original source (SNHU SharePoint)
A Celebration of Love and Commencement
As Valentine's Day approaches, we're sharing a few Commencement moments that show us the many ways SNHU students lift one another up on the path to success.
Colleen Gielda-Smith & Vince Smith - Woodbury Heights, N.J.
As Colleen Gielda-Smith reached Fall 2025 Commencement, her journey – and her husband's journey – with SNHU came full circle. Her husband, Vince, missed his SNHU commencement ceremony in 2015 while recovering from a kidney transplant – a life-saving gift from his wife Colleen. With the many responsibilities that come with family life and his recovery from surgery, the milestone quickly passed.
Colleen secretly worked with the university to give him the celebration he deserved but never had. As she earned her bachelor's in health science through SNHU online, she worked with SNHU to arrange for them to walk together, honoring how far they've both come. Inspired by their journey, she is shifting careers after 20 years to support other living donors and their families. Vince was presented with his Master of Science in Information Technology alongside his wife on stage.
New Jersey woman surprises husband by sharing commencement stage
Colleen & Vince share the stage.
Desirae & Michael Jenkerson - Bismarck, Mo.
Desirae and her husband, Michael, have been celebrating milestones together since middle school. Fall 2025 Commencement became their third graduation together. Their journey to SNHU was built on determination and sacrifice. Desirae worked two jobs, seven days a week, and Michael took on overtime so they could graduate debt-free.
They completed countless study sessions together at their dining room table and shared desk. Desirae earned her bachelor's in business administration through SNHU's partnership with Walmart, and Michael earned his bachelor's in environmental science. Michael slowed down his program so that they could walk the stage together. Both work in the mining industry and are excited for the opportunities ahead.
Hannah Olkovikas & Nick Girard - Norwood, Mass.
For Hannah Olkovikas and Nick Girard, Spring 2025 Commencement kicked off a milestone-filled season – their wedding followed just months after earning their master's degrees. Both work in the finance industry, and Hannah runs a small business selling handmade knits.
They chose to further their education to broaden their career opportunities and pursue their shared dream of opening a farmstand. With frequent trips to visit both of their parents in the South, the flexibility of online learning made it possible for them to continue their studies together wherever life took them.
Jameela & Tyler Cameron - Manor, Texas
While pursuing her bachelor's in psychology, Jameela Cameron felt inspired to “live what she was learning” about selfless giving. She became a living kidney donor, giving a stranger in her home state a second chance at life. After taking one term off of school to recover, she returned to her studies with determination. Jameela graduated in the spring with a 4.0 GPA and first-generation pride.
Her husband, Tyler, supported her throughout her journey. They shared a desk for their coursework, and he even taught her graphic design skills to help with a class project. Their shared desk became a symbol of the teamwork that carried them through their degree programs. Jameela is passionate about a future supporting social work or mental health, while Tyler is exploring opportunities in graphic design.
Mandy & Gasten Gabriel - Baton Rouge, La.
Husband and wife duo Gasten and Mandy Gabriel celebrated Spring 2025 Commencement together after completing their MBAs. Mandy, a two-time SNHU alumna, crossed the stage in 2023 for her bachelor's degree and returned a year and a half later to celebrate the completion of her master's. She owns her own marketing agency, serves as a communications director for a nonprofit, and volunteers at a children's hospital. She plans to continue her academic journey by pursuing a PhD next.
Gasten, a former college football player who explored free agency with the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, decided to pursue a career change and enroll with SNHU. In the final weeks of his program, he secured a new project management role where he can apply the skills from his project management concentration.
Tisha & Carl Griffin - Copper Center, Alaska
Tisha and Carl Griffin traveled nearly 5,000 miles, from Alaska, to celebrate Fall 2025 Commencement. The married couple shares a home, three children, a workplace – and now, an alma mater. Throughout their programs, they took turns proofreading each other's work, turning stressful deadlines into moments of connection.
They didn't initially plan to graduate at the same time; it was a happy accident. Carl, an Air Force veteran, hopes his degree will support his civilian career growth. Tisha plans to use her marketing degree to enhance her work on behalf of the Native American community. Both are proud first-generation college graduates.
Copper Center Couple, Tisha & Carl Griffin, Graduate From College Together
Tisha & Carl share the stage.
SNHU Duos Share the Love
In SNHU Commencement ceremonies in both the fall and spring, these couples showed that education can be a shared journey that can be strengthened by encouragement, sacrifice, and the belief that goals are easier to reach together. Their stories remind us that behind every degree is a network of support and that love often play a powerful role in student success.
Looking for even more SNHU student stories to celebrate love this month? Read last year's love stories.
Do you know any SNHU loved ones earning their degrees together? Share their story with us!
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