Jordan & Kyle’s 2024 Graduate Magazine

University of Maryland Alumni

And so . . .

the Adventure Continues

Empowered

Jordan and Kyle Williamson graced the 2024 graduation commencement season, celebrating their respective success as post-secondary education scholars. What a proud day! A day in which one reaps the benefits of aspiration, discipline, knowledge, tool that are essential to curating a future, empowered by the strength of education. Jordan discusses a variety of factors that inspired her along her academic journey and mentions how this is just the beginning. Kyle poses proud and powerfully, thankful for the opportunity to elevated from PGCC to the UMD campus to conquer yet another undergraduate degree.

A dynamic duo.

“Find a way to take your own experience into your own hands, after all, college is the time to do that.”

Jordan Williamson

Bachelor’s of Accounting

Q&A

1.) What inspired you to choose your major? What kept you motivated toward graduating with this degree?

Honestly, I didn’t know what I was good at, and my mother suggested accounting - her past major - until I figured it out. “Accounting is the basis of all business, so it’ll be a good introduction into any path you want to pursue. It’s just math,” she encouraged. [And] Since I enjoyed some mathematics, I was game to pursue! Accounting in the field and in academia, is in fact, not math. In fact, the specialization mainly comprises of maintaining exceptional organization skills with a sprinkling of basic addition and subtraction here and there due to the advent of Excel. This revelation came over several attempts to learn difficult and unintutitve concepts, and made homework emotionally draining to understand. My mother’s gentle and active tutoring throughout both colleges I attended, gave me hope that accounting would get better, and enriched my determination to overcome this mountain to make her proud. In addition, I learned the concept of “escalating commitment,” or becoming more determined to do something the more difficult a task gets. UMD instilled this perseverance in me (for better or worse) through this experience, and the minor I eventually added in Real Estate Development helped to give context to a practical reason to keep going.

2.) What are you personal or professional ambitions post graduation?

The CPA, or Certified Professional Accountant licensure, is the accounting certification that shows skill and proficiency in accounting. Despite its 4-part exam’s 45% passing rate, I plan to study to take the exam over the summer and again as necessary until I pass, of course. I am weighing my options to further my education with a master’s degree in real estate like I had initially planned, working as an auditor in public accounting or even returning abroad for career in international business.

Giving Thanks.

Thank you to my mother who was my inspiration, tutor, prayer advocate.

Thank you to my father who, despite his personal wishes, allowed me to travel and learn accounting hands-on through studying abroad, various accounting conferences, and internships that allowed me to grow.

Thank you to Kyle who walked the dog when I strategically left too late to walk her before missing the bus. Thank you for always coming to my events which were fun 7/10 of the time, and for hanging out with me on campus to do so many of my antics. Thank you for coming when my plans were, at best, half cooked, and coming to experience as many of my new chapters with me as possible. Thank you for meeting my work friends, my college groups, and soon my favorite music groups. My built-in best friend, thanks for being a witness to my life as much as you can:)

I wuv you Kylie <3

Thank you to Bma

Thank you to Kirsten and Nyla who always listened and chatted with me and entertained my foolishness whenever I called you completely unannounced. I can’t tell you how much I needed that, and will always need that. Y’all are so sweet and understanding - literally sent by the Lord. Thank you Kirstin for introducing me to boldness and actively taking what I need, and thank you Nyla for reminding me to be gentle and sensitive.

Thank you to my professors who kept up with my antics and became mentors despite my ups and downs. A deep thank you to Professor Jim McKinney who took us on an accounting and finance study abroad course that changed my life.

Thank you to my friends at UMD who kept me going. I really need a community, and you all.

Love, Jordan

Kyle Williamson Marketing, Associates in Business

Q+A

Kyle was also asked a few questions pertaining to that which we of their supportive and loving community are gathered to celebrate.

“There are many things that happen in my life that I can’t control, however, I have three options, get up and fight, give up, or give in. And when I choose to give in, I release control of my circumstances and the outcome. And it is in that space that I can like Jesus, willingly accept the classes, grades and circumstances that are out of my control and to be at peace. “

1.) What inspired you to choose your major? What kept you motivated toward graduating with this degree?

What inspired me to choose Marketing as a major, was when I started an online business, and made no sales because there was no traffic to my website. I then realized how important marketing was, not just to my small online business, but to every industry and every business. And what kept me motivated was I wanted to make sure that I had the missing link that separates a small coffee shop, from a multi million dollar enterprise like Starbucks.

2.) What are you personal or professional ambitions post graduation?

My personal/professional ambitions post graduation is, to get another degree! Writing that made me smile. I intend to continue and get a bachelors in marketing with a minor in technology…and make money!.

I would like to give a special thanks to my sister for helping me with the emails, assignments, choosing my classes, helping me write papers, and just being there whenever I call her. And to my mom, despite her passing, I would like to thank her for teaching me things and principles of organization and perfection that I did not think I would use, but have aided me greatly still. To my grandmother, I would like to thank for opening up her house to me, so that I could stay in a location near to my classes. You all have had an incredibly positive impact on my life during hard and unpredictable times.

Gra ( d ) itude .

Guidance.

Jordan, "Always bring a container to a buffet. You will have a week's worth of meal prep."

Patty Ibañez

The University of Maryland Marketing & Supply Chain Management '24

Kyle, I am proud of you for continuing your education. The one thing that can never be taken away is knowledge. Learn all you can. None of it is in vain. It all works together to build you into the man your future family and community needs. Stay focused and committed. You can do everything you put your mind to. You can have anything you’re willing to put the work in to earn.

Love you always, Auntie Chantelle

Jordan,

I am so proud to see the beautiful, intelligent young woman you are and will continue to become. Remember to always keep your poise - head held high, shoulders back. I am here for you whenever your crown may need adjusting. Just remember that it is ALWAYS there.

Keep your standards just as high. You are wonderfully made and you deserve nothing less. I’m rooting for you - always and forever.

All my love, Aunt Chantelle

Jordan,

As a Mighty Golden Retriever of UMBC, Class of 2005, I tip my hat to you, Oh Mighty Terrapin of UMD, Class of 2024. You have done a great thing. You worked hard and stayed focused. I am very proud of your achievement. You do our family proud. Great things are ahead.

Uncle Kanhai

Jordan and Kyle,

You are my living legacy. Your future is brighter because of your successes in reaching this milestone in your lives. Graduating from a school of higher learning, no easy feat in the context of you life story since your birth.

I am excited, I am hopeful. I am peacock happy. Because of you my future is brighter. Knowledge is Game: In one hand is the Globe of the Universe represented by a Game Ball. In the other hand are books and text of Religion, Self Esteem, Science. Math, English, and Black History. Our problem as a people is that we do yet understand the Power that lies in us collectively and individually. I pray that God will guide you, order your steps in a way that will cause you to harness that power. Above all else, my children, know that you are here and have a Right to be here.

Bma

Kyle,

Man, I remember when you wanted to drop out of school to be a YouTube Influencer. Could have made billions. Everyone would have known your name. “Hey man, that’s Kyle from YouTube!” Chicks would be chasing you down to shoot their shot at being with you.

Instead you decided to stay in school and are on track to make thousands. No one knows you, and you’ll be lucky if you can get the third prettiest girl in the group to give you a chance.

Whelp. That’s life. Should have chased your dreams. Now you’re stuck trying to eke out a meager existence in the Rat Race. Welcome to becoming an adultwhere idyllic personal dreams go to die all in the name of being responsible.

Uncle Kanhai

Jordan and Kyle,

As you embark on this new chapter in your life, remember to embrace the adventures ahead. Take risks, make mistakes, and never stop learning. Keep an open mind, a positive attitude & the future will unfold in ways you never imagined. I can't wait to see where life takes you next....

Love, The Milton's

Dear Jordan,

Congratulations on graduating from the University of Maryland! I am so proud of you and the woman that you have become! Over the past four years, I have witnessed your hard work, dedication, and pride that you have for your school. I’ve seen how far your business has come since when we were younger and you would sell your handmade necklaces, bracelets, and earrings in your family's basement whenever we would have family functions, and just a couple of months ago I got to sit next to you as you sold your jewelry pieces at an event on campus! Thank you for being like an older sister to me, always having my back, encouraging me, and wanting what is best for me! Words of advice: be unafraid of what lies before you now, post-college life. You are going to do an amazing job in your profession, career, and life! And whatever you feel called to do by the Most High in this new stage of your life, I stand behind you and fully support you! I pray that you receive everything that you want for your life! I pray that you take advantage of your support system and the community that is here for you whenever you need it. And lastly, I pray that you stay passionate about your interests and what inspires you! I love you so much, Jordan!!!

Nyla

Dear Kyle,

Congratulations on earning your associate degree from Prince George’s Community College ! I’m so proud of you and the young man that you have become! I see you as my older brother, and I truly appreciate and love you so much! I’ve witnessed your dedication and hard work in school and in life. I have seen you in your free time teach yourself languages, how to play various instruments, and how to improve in the things that you do. You are creative, intelligent, a great listener, have a good sense of humor, and are a wonderful person! I wholeheartedly believe that you are prepared to attend the University of Maryland next semester and that you will be successful in everything that you do on campus and off campus. Words of advice: continue to stay positive when life is throwing you curveballs and when things do not go as planned. Continue to take care of you and your community. And finally, remember that your mind is more than capable, and all you have to do to achieve whatever it is that you want to do is stay dedicated and focused. I love you so much, Kyle!!!

Nyla

Congratulations on your graduation, Jordan and Kyle. You have worked so hard my child and I am so proud of how hard you have worked and of everything you have accomplished as a child and adolescent. I am so excited to see what you do next and I look forward to developing a new relationship not just as father, but as two adults. I believe in you. I always have, I always will. I'm proud of you and of who you are. Being your dad is my favorite job in the world. I hope you'll remember where you came from. Dream big and go for it. I have tried to impart wisdom at every step of your life. Wisdom resides all around you as well. Take advantage of it.

Love, Mom and Dad