Sixty-First Commencement

Class of 2026
Justinna Boatwright
Sports Management

Justinna Boatwright had been away from college for more than 15 years when she walked back into a classroom at Kingsborough Community College. She describes the moment as equal parts overwhelming and exciting.

"At first, I doubted myself and wondered if I could still balance school, work, and basketball," she said. "But once I got settled in, I realized I still had the determination and drive to succeed."

Justinna first attended York College as a computer science major in 2008–2009, where she also earned women's basketball honors, including Rookie of the Year. But during her freshman year, she made the difficult decision to leave school to help support her mother, who was raising eight children on her own.

Years of work and family responsibilities followed. Through it all, the voices of her late grandmother and uncle stayed with her. They had always urged her to go back to school and finish what she started. "Their encouragement stayed with me throughout the years," she said. "As I grew older, I became more determined to finish what I started and pursue the goals I had put on hold."

When she finally returned to college, she chose Kingsborough, which turned out to be the right fit. "The supportive environment, dedicated professors, coaches, and staff made me feel welcomed and motivated from day one," she said. "KCC allowed me to balance my education, basketball, and personal responsibilities while helping me rebuild my confidence as a student."

The first of her siblings to attend college, Justinna will graduate this spring with an associate degree in sports management, a major she chose after focusing on where her real passion lay. “I originally studied computer science because it seemed like a stable path,” she shared. "I realized my true passion was sports and helping others through athletics and fitness. That inspired me to switch to sports management to pursue a career connected to basketball and personal training."

At KCC, Justinna didn't just attend classes. She also suited up for the women's basketball team and earned the role of captain. She helped lead the squad to the CUNY Championships and Regional Championships and was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 15 All-Second Team. Not bad for someone who is, as she puts it, still keeping up with the younger generation.

"Being a 35-year-old student-athlete has been both challenging and rewarding," she said. "My experience, discipline, and work ethic have helped me become not only a stronger athlete but also a role model and leader for my teammates."

One of her proudest academic achievements was making the Dean's List. "It validated the hard work and determination it took to return to school after so many years away," she said.

She credits several people at KCC for helping her stay on track: Athletic Director Bobby Allison, Professor Franquiz, Dr. Veronica Sherman, ASAP advisor Sarah Beck, and her coaches. "They saw potential in me that I sometimes did not see in myself," she said. "Their belief in me helped me grow not only as a student-athlete but also as a person."

After graduation, Justinna plans to transfer to Lehman College to pursue a bachelor's degree in recreation education. Her longer-term goal is to become a personal trainer while continuing to work in basketball. "I want to motivate and encourage others to believe in themselves, reach their goals, and improve both mentally and physically," she said.

Her message to other adult students who think the door to college has closed for them is "It’s never too late to return to school and invest in yourself. If you stay focused, work hard, and believe in yourself, you are capable of accomplishing more than you think."

She believes graduating this year honors not only her own hard work but also the people who believed in her when she couldn't, especially her late grandmother and uncle. "I think they would tell me that all of my sacrifices, hard work, and perseverance were worth it," she said. "Graduating is not only an accomplishment for me but also a way of honoring their memory and making them proud."