Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
For Lauren Jensen, the 2025 Graduate Student Speaker, it’s all about the journey and the experiences along the way that create a story, lead to life-changing opportunities, and form unforgettable memories. Each of the memories Lauren has made during her time at Georgian Court, she will carry with her after graduation.
Lauren was awestruck that she was selected to give the Graduate Student Address. “It means the absolute world to me because GCU has such a special place in my heart, she explained. “I went here for both my undergraduate and graduate education, so being invited to be the Commencement Speaker is such an honor. It was such a full-circle moment when I got the call.”
Lauren will graduate with a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communication and she earned a B.A. in Psychology in 2023.
Lauren’s love of storytelling is at the heart of her work and interests. It’s also the foundation of each skill she acquires, which she hopes to further develop post-graduation. She expressed how storytelling encapsulates so much and connects everything.
“Storytelling is something that I weave into many areas of my life. Whether I’m making social media content, filming and editing videos, creating art, taking photos, or just writing for fun, I’m always looking for ways to tell a story,” explained Lauren. “It plays a very big role in what makes a message resonate with people and what makes the biggest impact. I think everyone and everything has a story, so getting to be part of sharing that with others is one of my favorite things.”
Lauren enhances her storytelling skills by reading in her free time. “Overall, the Harry Potter series is full of meaningful lessons about perseverance, friendship, bravery, and more—things that really resonate beyond the pages.” One of her favorite quotes is from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which she always lives by. The quote by character Ginny Weasley reads, “Anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.”
During her time at GCU, Lauren has used this quote as inspiration to help her handle challenges and achieve success. She was in the First Gen Collective, supporting resources for first-generation students, and served as a Mental Health Campus Advocate through Crisis Text Line. She was also a Student Leadership and Engagement Graduate Assistant in the Office of Student Life, where she, as part of the team, helped to plan and execute nearly all campus events for the office, creating flyers and social media posts to build excitement and boost attendance.
“Lionpalooza was a standout because it involved coordinating with dozens of local businesses and campus departments. It gave new students a fun, high-energy introduction to what GCU and the surrounding community have to offer, featuring clubs, organizations, and local vendors all in one place,” described Lauren.
She stated that these hands-on experiences enabled her to develop a stronger voice, increase confidence levels in decision-making, and it gave her a sounder understanding of how to lead with creativity and structure.
“I learned how to balance academics and work while taking initiative on campus events, supporting office operations, and mentoring undergraduate students,” she said. “I was trusted not only in my own department but others as well, often helping guide them through social media best practices or assisting with their events.”
One project she is particularly proud of is a Public Service Announcement that she created for her Digital Storytelling course about the dangers of texting and driving. “The challenge was to tell a compelling, impactful story in just thirty seconds, which pushed me to be both creative and intentional with every second,” she stated.
Lauren said the support of faculty and staff at GCU made a huge impact on her success, in particular, Sharmay Wood, Associate Provost and Dean of Students, and Patricia Jacukiewicz, who works in the Office of the Dean of Students. “Sharmay’s unwavering support and encouragement pushed me to grow in ways I never imagined—both professionally and personally. Pat was like a guiding light—always ready to offer a fresh perspective, whether it was about coursework or just life in general.”
Lauren is grateful that she chose Georgian Court to advance her education and earn her undergraduate and graduate degrees. “The university is unique because of the people that make up the community at GCU. It’s such a close-knit community that students will be supported, encouraged, and pushed to be the best that they can possibly be.”
Looking toward the future, Lauren hopes to combine her love for storytelling with her interests in brand strategy, content strategy, and digital engagement.
“I want to be able to help brands connect with their audiences in meaningful ways. I hope to lead by being collaborative, strategic, and a strong advocate for inclusive, engaging messaging that truly connects with diverse audiences,” said Lauren whose dream job is a marketing leadership role, possibly within the publishing, entertainment, or consumer goods industry.
Her Commencement address will be a story in its own form. She hopes the graduates feel inspired to take on the next journey and welcome this change as a positive shift in their lives. “One of the main messages I want to give to the graduates is just to embrace change, especially because Commencement brings on change for most, if not all, students,” expressed Lauren. “I hope they take away a sense of comfort in the change, and that they know that wherever their journey takes them is where they’re supposed to be.”
