As another generation of business school students conclude their studies we ask them to reflect on Graduation Day and the lifelong impact of their studies…

• Name: Dany Leroux
• Institution: NEOMA Business School
• Degree: Master in Management, MSc Sustainability Transformations (double degree)

How does participating in a graduation ceremony help you emotionally mark the end of your student journey and prepare for what’s next?

This ceremony is a powerful moment because, even though we left school a year ago and have already entered the workforce, it truly marks the end of our student journey by bringing us back together with our classmates, friends, and loved ones.

It’s a deeply emotional occasion that celebrates the completion of several years of higher education and the beginning of our professional lives. For us and for those around us, it’s a moving and symbolic milestone. Seeing how proud my parents were was my greatest joy and the most memorable part of the graduation for me!

What does it mean to you to be publicly recognised for your learning and achievements — and who do you feel you represent as you cross the stage?

It’s a meaningful acknowledgment of not just the academic work we’ve done, but of the entire journey — from high school through this Grande École diploma, including international exchanges and professional experiences. That’s what makes me proud.

By receiving this diploma, I hope to represent an example for those from rural or underprivileged backgrounds. I myself come from the countryside, from a working-class family, and I’ve always been a scholarship student. My message is simple but powerful: even if it seems ambitious, see things through — you belong here just as much as anyone else, no matter where you come from.

In a world where learning never truly stops, what does being “graduated” mean to you — and what impact do you hope to have with what you’ve learned?

Graduating is above all a milestone, an achievement that also reflects the long journey it took to get here — from my preparatory classes to my courses at school, along with my extracurricular involvement and work experiences. It’s an important step, but I know I’ll keep learning, and nothing stops me from studying again in the future!

“I myself come from the countryside, from a working-class family, and I’ve always been a scholarship student. My message is simple but powerful: even if it seems ambitious, see things through — you belong here just as much as anyone else, no matter where you come from.”

– Dany Leroux

This moment also represents my personal commitment to social and environmental transition. What I’ve learned — and continue to learn — will allow me to keep moving forward in that direction, helping both companies and society navigate these changes.

What’s the most memorable part of your studies that you’ll carry with you long after the program ends?

So much happened and I had so many opportunities that it’s hard to choose just one, but if I had to highlight something, it would be the student associations I was involved in at NEOMA. Through these engagements and responsibilities, I was able to lead real projects, meet inspiring people, and gain hands-on experience in sustainability.

These practical experiences, alongside our courses and internships, helped me build a network and drive change on my campus, in my school, and even at the national level. They allowed me to truly thrive — making a positive impact while training for a career I love today!

Interested in this series? You might also like this…