Selected as the Temple University College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) graduate student speaker for its 2026 Graduation ceremony, Madison Kerney steps into the role with gratitude and a story shaped by growth, resilience and community. 

For Kerney, Temple University was not just a place to pursue an education, but a place to grow into who she would become and discover her purpose. 

Kerney earned both her master’s degree in adult learning, training and organizational development and her undergraduate degree in human development and community engagement (HDCE) from the college. 

Her journey at Temple began in 2021 when she transferred from Montgomery County Community College. She arrived as a biology major, initially planning to become a high school science teacher. While her goal was always to make an impact in students’ lives, she quickly realized that her path might look different than she first imagined. 

“When I first transferred to Temple, I was overwhelmed and questioned whether I had what it takes,” she said. “But here, I found people who believed not just in the work, but in me.” 

As she explored new courses and experiences, she was introduced to perspectives that helped her better understand the kind of impact she wanted to make. 

“Being at Temple helped me realize that impact does not have to look just one way. There are so many different paths that can lead to meaningful change,” she shared. 

That realization led her to the HDCE program. Through courses that explored social change and learning across diverse communities, Kerney found both affirmation and a clearer sense of direction. 

“I thought the HDCE program seemed amazing,” she said. “Not only because of what I would learn, but because of the people I would meet. I knew I would be surrounded by individuals who cared about the same things I did, but who also had completely different experiences and perspectives.” 

Ultimately, she made one of the most pivotal decisions of her academic career—changing her major from biology to HDCE. 

“It took courage,” she said. “But I think it is really important to trust your intuition. If something does not feel right, you are going to know. Once I made that connection, I could not ignore it.” 

Through her HDCE coursework, Kerney began to connect her personal experiences with her academic and professional goals. 

“I finally had language for things that I had experienced my whole life,” she said. “It validated who I was and what I had gone through, and it helped me realize that my experiences matter.” 

With continued encouragement from her professors, M. Meghan Raisch and Armando X. Estrada, Kerney joined the plus one accelerated master's (dual-degree) program and began her master’s degree while completing her undergraduate studies. 

“I was not even thinking about getting my master’s,” she said. “But my professors saw something in me and encouraged me to go for it. That support made a difference and showed me what was possible.” 

She also gained hands-on experience through Heights Philadelphia, an educational nonprofit focused on economic mobility for students in the city. 

“That experience was huge for me,” she said. “It showed me what it really looks like to support a community and how much thought and effort goes into creating meaningful programs.” 

Today, Kerney continues to build on that foundation as a program coordinator in CEHD’s Center for Reimagining Excellence, Access and Transformation in Education (CREATE), where she leads Guiding Generations, an initiative supporting caregivers and family members raising children. 

“I wanted to give it back,” she said. “I am where I am because of the people who supported me, and now I want to be part of the support system for someone else.” 

Looking ahead, she hopes to continue expanding her impact across education in multiple settings. 

“My dream is to be a high school teacher by day and an adjunct professor by night,” she said. “I love helping people figure out what they want to do and how to get there. There is something really powerful about that process.” 

Reflecting on her journey, Kerney credits the people she met at Temple for shaping her growth. 

“I have grown so much because of the people here,” she said. “Being surrounded by people who lead with authenticity and vulnerability helped me become more open and confident in myself.” 

As a first-generation college student, her accomplishments carry deep personal meaning, a theme that will shape her address to fellow graduates. Her message to the Class of 2026 centers on hope, not as a passive idea, but as an active commitment. 

“Hope is not naive optimism,” she said. “It is choosing to believe in something you cannot yet see. It requires faith, and faith requires courage.” 

Like the courage she exhibited when transferring to Temple and later changing her major, Kerney’s message reflects the power of trusting the unknown. 

Now, as she prepares to take the stage at the CEHD Graduation ceremony, Kerney sees the moment as an opportunity to honor that support and give back. 

“It feels like I get to say thank you,” she said. “Temple shaped me in ways I never expected.” 

“We are not self-made,” she added. “As we move forward, we have to remember that we do not go alone, because we were never built alone.” 

For Kerney, success is not a straight path, but one defined by the willingness to evolve, take risks and stay true to oneself. Her story reflects transformation and possibility, and serves as a reminder that some of the most meaningful journeys are shaped by the people and communities that lift us along the way.