This year, Kent will welcome back a familiar face for graduation. Dr. Heidi Brooks, a 1986 Kent graduate who is now a senior lecturer in organizational behavior at the Yale School of Management and highly respected in her field, will return to campus as the commencement speaker.

Before becoming a professor at Yale, Dr. Brooks was a Kent student herself. According to Mr. Hirschfeld, she was known for being both a strong student and an athlete during her time at Kent. He described her as someone who stood out academically while also contributing to school life outside the classroom.

Dr. Brooks has remained closely connected to Kent long after graduating. Today, she serves on Kent’s Board of Trustees while continuing her career at Yale, showing how alumni can continue to support the community years after leaving campus.

Mr. Hirschfeld explained that although Dr. Brooks’ accomplishments made her an obvious candidate to speak at graduation, that was not the only reason she was chosen. One of the biggest factors, he said, was her ability to communicate and connect with people.

According to Mr. Hirschfeld, it is rare to find someone who is both highly accomplished professionally and also a genuinely engaging speaker. That combination made Dr. Brooks a strong choice for commencement.

Dr. Brooks’ return also represents something larger. She went from being a student and athlete at Kent to becoming a Yale professor and later serving on Kent’s Board of Trustees. Her story shows how connections to the school can continue long after graduation.

For seniors preparing to leave Kent, hearing from someone who once sat where they are now may have made the message more meaningful. Dr. Brooks understands Kent not only as a speaker or trustee, but as a former student.

As the Class of 2026 graduates, Dr. Brooks’ visit serves as a reminder that success can take many forms. Academic achievement matters, but so do leadership, communication, and staying connected to communities that helped shape you. Her return to Kent shows what those qualities can look like years later.