Tanzira Uddin, alongside Dr. Jacqui Spicer, Baker College President and CEO
Royal Oak, MI — For most graduates, commencement marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. For Baker College MBA graduate Tanzira Uddin, it marked the beginning of two.
When Uddin learned her due date would fall on the same day as Baker College’s May commencement ceremony, she accepted that she would miss walking across the stage to receive her diploma. What she didn’t expect was that Baker College would make sure she didn’t miss the celebration.
Surrounded by her husband, newborn son, parents, extended family, faculty, and staff, she experienced the milestone she thought she had lost. Uddin and her family gathered at Baker College’s Royal Oak campus for a private commencement ceremony created just for her. Baker College President and CEO Dr. Jacqui Spicer presented Uddin with her diploma and shared words of encouragement as she celebrated not only earning her Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management but also beginning her newest role as a mother. Following the ceremony, family, friends, and members of the Baker community gathered for a reception complete with cake and well wishes.
For Uddin, the experience represented far more than receiving a diploma. “It meant far more than I can put into words,” she said. “Missing commencement because I was about to give birth was something I had accepted, but having the college create such a meaningful celebration made me feel incredibly valued. It wasn’t just about receiving my diploma. It was about feeling seen as both a student and a new mother.”
The idea for the ceremony began after Uddin informed Dr. Ashlie Roeder, Baker College’s MBA Program Director, that her due date coincided with commencement. Roeder shared her story with college leadership, who quickly came together to ensure Uddin could celebrate this important milestone.
The gesture reflects Baker College’s student-first philosophy, a commitment to meeting students where they are and recognizing that every educational journey is unique. Whether balancing careers, families, military service, or life’s unexpected moments, Baker strives to create an environment where students are supported not only academically, but personally.
“The ceremony wasn’t simply about replacing a missed commencement,” said Dr. Spicer. “It was about recognizing a student’s perseverance, celebrating her accomplishments, and demonstrating what it means to put students at the center of every decision. Because sometimes being student-first means understanding that success isn’t defined by a single day on the calendar. It’s about ensuring every student has the opportunity to be celebrated when their moment arrives,” Spicer said.
“Baker College truly cares about its students as individuals,” Uddin said. “Throughout my experience, I felt supported not only academically but personally as well. The faculty and staff genuinely wanted to see me succeed, and the compassion they showed is something I’ll never forget.”
Earning her MBA while pregnant is an accomplishment she considers one of her proudest achievements. “There were moments when it would have been easier to postpone my education,” she said. “Finishing my degree despite the physical and emotional challenges of pregnancy reminded me that perseverance truly pays off.”
Motherhood has already reshaped the way she views the future. “Every decision I make now is with my son in mind,” she said. “It has given me an even greater sense of purpose and motivation to continue pursuing my goals while setting an example for him.”
Her husband and parents were her greatest supporters throughout her academic journey, encouraging her to continue pursuing her dreams while preparing for motherhood. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with minors in Public Health and Healthcare Ethics, Uddin chose Baker College’s MBA program to strengthen her leadership skills and prepare for a career in human resources.
“I’ve always been passionate about people and organizational development,” she said. “An MBA in Human Resource Management was the perfect way to combine my passion for helping people with my interest in creating positive workplaces.” Her journey doesn’t end here. Uddin plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Human Resource Management with the goal of becoming a university professor and conducting research focused on creating stronger workplaces and supporting employees.
Ironically, this was the first graduation ceremony she was able to attend. She also missed her bachelor’s commencement because it took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, making Baker’s private celebration even more meaningful.
“I hope my story encourages others to remember that life doesn’t always happen according to plan, and that’s okay,” Uddin said. “Sometimes the unexpected moments become the most meaningful ones.”
Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on six campuses across Michigan and online. Founded in 1911, the institution’s mission is to provide an inclusive, innovative, and transformative educational experience, driven by a student-first philosophy. Learn more at Baker.edu and follow on X, Meta, and Instagram.