Mr. Akib Rahman was a 2026 commencement speaker representing the WilmU College of Business and Technology (Graduate-Level Technology Programs).
Originally from Bangladesh, he has distinguished himself through academic achievement, research, and professional growth while studying in the United States. As an Epsilon Pi Tau apprentice, he reflects a strong commitment to scholarship, leadership, and continuous learning. His interests include web development, cybersecurity, and the use of technology to solve real-world challenges.
Q: Can you tell us about your WilmU journey and what prompted you to choose the M.S. in Information Systems Technologies (MS-IST) Program?
My WilmU journey has been a meaningful experience of growth, perseverance, and transformation. Coming from a business background, I entered the field of Information Systems Technology without an extensive technical foundation. In the beginning, the transition was both challenging and unfamiliar, but it also became a powerful opportunity for personal and professional development. I was determined to expand my knowledge, strengthen my technical capabilities, and better understand how technology can be used strategically to support business goals and solve real-world problems.
I chose Wilmington University because of its flexibility, supportive academic environment, and practical approach to learning. As a student balancing education with real-life responsibilities, I needed a university that understood the demands of adult learners and provided a path that was both accessible and meaningful.
The MS-IST program was the ideal choice because it allowed me to bridge my business experience with emerging technical knowledge. It helped me see technology not only as a technical discipline, but as a powerful tool for innovation, leadership, problem-solving, and organizational growth. Through this program, I gained valuable skills, a broader perspective, and the confidence to continue advancing at the intersection of business and technology.
Q: Was there a specific moment when you knew that WilmU was the right fit for you?
Yes. I knew WilmU was the right fit when I recognized that the University truly understood the realities of students like me — individuals who are pursuing higher education while balancing professional, personal, and family responsibilities. The program’s flexibility, along with the encouragement and guidance of faculty and staff, created an environment where I felt supported, understood, and empowered to continue moving forward. That sense of support became especially meaningful during challenging moments. It reminded me that I was not navigating the journey alone and gave me the confidence and resilience to stay committed to my goals.
Q: Looking back, which course, project, or assignment had the most significant impact on you and why?
Looking back, one of the courses that had the most significant impact on me was Data Communications and Networking (IST 7040) taught by instructor Kevin Wright.
Coming from a business background, this course challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and develop a stronger technical understanding of how modern digital networks operate. The course introduced me to important concepts such as data, voice, image, and video transmission; network architectures; protocols; security; authentication; and design and management of LAN, MAN, and WAN environments. What made the course especially meaningful was that it helped me understand the infrastructure behind the technologies that organizations depend on every day to communicate, operate, and remain secure.
Kevin Wright’s guidance made complex technical concepts more practical and approachable. This experience strengthened my technical confidence and helped me see the connection between network infrastructure, business operations, cybersecurity, e-commerce, and organizational efficiency. Through this course, I gained a deeper appreciation for how technology supports innovation, decision-making, and long-term organizational success.
Navigating this academic journey far from home required resilience, discipline, and determination, but the support I received made each step more meaningful.
— Akib Rahman
Q: What skills or perspectives have you gained along the way that you didn’t anticipate?
Throughout my MS-IST journey, I gained far more than technical knowledge. I developed greater confidence, resilience, adaptability, and a more strategic way of thinking. The program challenged me to approach unfamiliar concepts with curiosity, to view obstacles as opportunities for growth, and to remain committed to continuous learning in a rapidly evolving field. This experience strengthened my ability to think critically, adapt to change, and understand how technology can be used not only to support operations, but also to drive innovation and create meaningful impact.
Q: If you could sum up your WilmU experience in one sentence, what would it be?
My Wilmington University experience transformed uncertainty into confidence, challenges into opportunities for growth, and education into a meaningful pathway toward purpose, leadership, and continued personal and professional advancement.
Q: Now that you’ve completed your degree, what’s next for you?
Now that I have completed my degree, I am committed to continuing my professional and academic growth. I am honored to have received an admission offer to the Ph.D. program in Information Technology at Towson University, which represents an exciting next chapter in my educational journey.
Through this opportunity, I hope to build upon the foundation I developed in the MS-IST program and to continue my growth as a scholar, professional, and future leader in the technology field.
Q: Can you share any words of wisdom, advice, or encouragement for people who are thinking about taking their education further?
My advice is to begin, even if you do not feel completely prepared. Growth rarely starts with certainty; it often begins with courage, commitment, and the willingness to take the first step. In the beginning, you may not fully understand how each experience, challenge, or lesson will connect, but every step contributes to your development and brings you closer to your purpose. There will be moments of doubt, sacrifice, and long nights, but those moments often become the foundation of your greatest growth. Keep showing up, remain disciplined, trust the process, and believe in your ability to become more than you once imagined.
Q: Lastly, is there anyone you would like to acknowledge for playing a key role in supporting your journey?
As an international student, I would like to express my profound gratitude to my parents, who supported me from 8,000 miles away throughout this journey. Their unwavering love, sacrifices, prayers, and encouragement were a constant source of strength during the most challenging moments and reminded me that distance could never diminish their presence in my life.
I am also deeply grateful to my friends, mentors, faculty, and everyone at Wilmington University who offered guidance, encouragement, and support along the way. Navigating this academic journey far from home required resilience, discipline, and determination, but the support I received made each step more meaningful. This achievement is not mine alone; it is shared with every person who believed in me, stood beside me, and helped me continue moving forward with purpose and strength.
Wilmington University provides a welcoming experience for students from countries around the world. Explore our resources for international students.
Mr. Akib Rahman was a 2026 commencement speaker representing the WilmU College of Business and Technology (Graduate-Level Technology Programs).
Originally from Bangladesh, he has distinguished himself through academic achievement, research, and professional growth while studying in the United States. As an Epsilon Pi Tau apprentice, he reflects a strong commitment to scholarship, leadership, and continuous learning. His interests include web development, cybersecurity, and the use of technology to solve real-world challenges.
Q: Can you tell us about your WilmU journey and what prompted you to choose the M.S. in Information Systems Technologies (MS-IST) Program?
My WilmU journey has been a meaningful experience of growth, perseverance, and transformation. Coming from a business background, I entered the field of Information Systems Technology without an extensive technical foundation. In the beginning, the transition was both challenging and unfamiliar, but it also became a powerful opportunity for personal and professional development. I was determined to expand my knowledge, strengthen my technical capabilities, and better understand how technology can be used strategically to support business goals and solve real-world problems.
I chose Wilmington University because of its flexibility, supportive academic environment, and practical approach to learning. As a student balancing education with real-life responsibilities, I needed a university that understood the demands of adult learners and provided a path that was both accessible and meaningful.
The MS-IST program was the ideal choice because it allowed me to bridge my business experience with emerging technical knowledge. It helped me see technology not only as a technical discipline, but as a powerful tool for innovation, leadership, problem-solving, and organizational growth. Through this program, I gained valuable skills, a broader perspective, and the confidence to continue advancing at the intersection of business and technology.
Q: Was there a specific moment when you knew that WilmU was the right fit for you?
Yes. I knew WilmU was the right fit when I recognized that the University truly understood the realities of students like me — individuals who are pursuing higher education while balancing professional, personal, and family responsibilities. The program’s flexibility, along with the encouragement and guidance of faculty and staff, created an environment where I felt supported, understood, and empowered to continue moving forward. That sense of support became especially meaningful during challenging moments. It reminded me that I was not navigating the journey alone and gave me the confidence and resilience to stay committed to my goals.
Q: Looking back, which course, project, or assignment had the most significant impact on you and why?
Looking back, one of the courses that had the most significant impact on me was Data Communications and Networking (IST 7040) taught by instructor Kevin Wright.
Coming from a business background, this course challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and develop a stronger technical understanding of how modern digital networks operate. The course introduced me to important concepts such as data, voice, image, and video transmission; network architectures; protocols; security; authentication; and design and management of LAN, MAN, and WAN environments. What made the course especially meaningful was that it helped me understand the infrastructure behind the technologies that organizations depend on every day to communicate, operate, and remain secure.
Kevin Wright’s guidance made complex technical concepts more practical and approachable. This experience strengthened my technical confidence and helped me see the connection between network infrastructure, business operations, cybersecurity, e-commerce, and organizational efficiency. Through this course, I gained a deeper appreciation for how technology supports innovation, decision-making, and long-term organizational success.
Navigating this academic journey far from home required resilience, discipline, and determination, but the support I received made each step more meaningful.
— Akib Rahman
Q: What skills or perspectives have you gained along the way that you didn’t anticipate?
Throughout my MS-IST journey, I gained far more than technical knowledge. I developed greater confidence, resilience, adaptability, and a more strategic way of thinking. The program challenged me to approach unfamiliar concepts with curiosity, to view obstacles as opportunities for growth, and to remain committed to continuous learning in a rapidly evolving field. This experience strengthened my ability to think critically, adapt to change, and understand how technology can be used not only to support operations, but also to drive innovation and create meaningful impact.
Q: If you could sum up your WilmU experience in one sentence, what would it be?
My Wilmington University experience transformed uncertainty into confidence, challenges into opportunities for growth, and education into a meaningful pathway toward purpose, leadership, and continued personal and professional advancement.
Q: Now that you’ve completed your degree, what’s next for you?
Now that I have completed my degree, I am committed to continuing my professional and academic growth. I am honored to have received an admission offer to the Ph.D. program in Information Technology at Towson University, which represents an exciting next chapter in my educational journey.
Through this opportunity, I hope to build upon the foundation I developed in the MS-IST program and to continue my growth as a scholar, professional, and future leader in the technology field.
Q: Can you share any words of wisdom, advice, or encouragement for people who are thinking about taking their education further?
My advice is to begin, even if you do not feel completely prepared. Growth rarely starts with certainty; it often begins with courage, commitment, and the willingness to take the first step. In the beginning, you may not fully understand how each experience, challenge, or lesson will connect, but every step contributes to your development and brings you closer to your purpose. There will be moments of doubt, sacrifice, and long nights, but those moments often become the foundation of your greatest growth. Keep showing up, remain disciplined, trust the process, and believe in your ability to become more than you once imagined.
Q: Lastly, is there anyone you would like to acknowledge for playing a key role in supporting your journey?
As an international student, I would like to express my profound gratitude to my parents, who supported me from 8,000 miles away throughout this journey. Their unwavering love, sacrifices, prayers, and encouragement were a constant source of strength during the most challenging moments and reminded me that distance could never diminish their presence in my life.
I am also deeply grateful to my friends, mentors, faculty, and everyone at Wilmington University who offered guidance, encouragement, and support along the way. Navigating this academic journey far from home required resilience, discipline, and determination, but the support I received made each step more meaningful. This achievement is not mine alone; it is shared with every person who believed in me, stood beside me, and helped me continue moving forward with purpose and strength.
Wilmington University provides a welcoming experience for students from countries around the world. Explore our resources for international students.
