Four days after graduating high school early as a junior in 2024, Amira Ali’s father announced he had bought a house in Indiana and her family would be moving from New York in just a mere few days.
Ali arrived in Indianapolis, where she knew no one, with no college plans in place. She noticed Ivy Tech’s Indianapolis campus, though, and soon, it became her first acceptance letter. Within weeks, she started class, found a campus job, helped launch a robotics club, and began a journey that would lead her to the commencement stage as the class of 2026 speaker at just 19 years old.
That drive to try – to apply, show up, see what fits – became the throughline of her Ivy Tech experience. From failing her first class ever and retaking it with a professor who helped make it click, to learning when to pull back socially after realizing she overextended, Ali’s story is one of breaking out of her comfort zone to figure out who she is, what she wants to do, and who she wants to be.
Below, Ali shares what it means to be a first-generation (first-gen) student, why she keeps trying even when things get hard, and what she hopes her fellow graduates will remember most from her speech.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.
Q: Why did you choose Ivy Tech?
Ali: Honestly, it was meant to be. I applied to so many colleges after we moved, but I got accepted to Ivy Tech really fast, and it’s really close to my house. I was like, I don’t know anybody in Indiana, and it felt like it would be good to start here, and then I can see where I want to go.
Q: You graduated from high school at 16. Now you’re graduating with your associate's degree at just 19. How did that accelerated path come together for you?
Ali: I was really quiet. I just didn’t do anything besides my classes. Then, in my junior year, I started talking to people, and I was like, ‘I don’t want to graduate now!’ (She laughed) But I just wanted to finish.
Q: What does being a first-generation college student mean to you?
Ali: Really good. I feel so proud. One day, I’ll tell my daughter that I did it, and she should do it too. At least I’ll have an idea of what college is about—things that are happening here. Because my family, they just don’t understand the difficulties I have here or in school. So I’m happy.
Q: Can you share a memorable experience that you had during your time at Ivy Tech Indianapolis?
Ali: I have so many memories. A lot! But I’ll say being the marketing representative for the robotics club. I really loved that. We went to a competition, and we won second place. Everyone was there, and it was really fun.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you faced at Ivy Tech Indianapolis, and how did you overcome them?
Ali: Failing my math class. I never failed a class before—not even in high school. I was always really good. But in college, I took algebra, and I just… I don’t even remember what I learned. I failed that badly. Every time I tried to remember what we learned in class, I was like, "What did you do to yourself?”
I overcame it by retaking the class with a new professor. She used to be the dean of mathematics, and she’s really good! She helped me a lot. It was really fun, and I finally passed it.
Q: What's your favorite part of the Ivy Tech Indianapolis campus?
Ali: I loved the tutoring center. I got so much help from them. I also loved our Bowen Commons in IFC. I would get fries from our food court literally every day!
Q: What made you want to apply to be this year's commencement speaker?
Ali: I just wanted to try! Even if it didn’t work for me before, I kept thinking “Why not?”
Q: If a graduating student only remembers one thing from your speech at commencement, what do you want that one thing to be?
Ali: That life sometimes will be hard, but you can move forward. Things will get better.
Q: What will it mean to you to walk across the stage and receive your diploma?
Ali: So proud I did it. I made it perfect for myself because I don’t want to think about the things I didn’t do. My family didn’t really wish for me to finish school and do what I want. But I pushed them. I said, ‘Please, I can do it.’ They have nothing to do with it. So, me seeing that I did it? It’s good. It shows that I can do better. I can try more things that they don’t know I can do. They always say, “Do you think you should just give up on these things?” No. I think I should do better next time. Period.
What's next for you after graduation?
Ali: I’m going to Marian University. I was accepted the week after I applied, and I was really happy. I’m going to major in biomedical engineering.
You can watch a recording of Amira Ali’s commencement speech on YouTube.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
