Augusta University will hold its December commencement ceremonies at the Augusta Marriott in the Convention Center on December 10 and 11. The Graduate Hooding Ceremony is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 10, while the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 11.
Student speakers have been selected for both events. Natalie Mseis-Jackson will address graduates at the Graduate Hooding Ceremony, and Landon Gilbert will speak at the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony.
Mseis-Jackson, who was raised in Jerusalem and is Palestinian-American, pursued her academic career in the United States to find an environment supportive of students with learning differences such as dyslexia and dyscalculia. She recently completed her PhD in Neuroscience from Augusta University’s Biomedical Sciences PhD Program and Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine. Her dissertation was titled “Modulating NeuroD1 Dynamic Expression Levels to Improve Astrocytes-to-Neuron Conversion by Using Retro-NeuroD1-124T Novel Construct.” She now works as a postdoctoral fellow with Catherine “Lynn” Hedrick, PhD, co-director of the Immunology Center of Georgia.
Mseis-Jackson previously earned an associate’s degree from Scott Community College and a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Winthrop University. During her time at Augusta University, she received support from family members and colleagues. “The most extraordinary part of reaching the end of my PhD journey was welcoming my son,” Mseis-Jackson said. “I had Ezekiel in November 2024, and we just celebrated his first birthday. After my short maternity leave, I began writing my thesis with him curled on my lap as I wrote. Although Ezekiel is very small, his presence has been a powerful force. His sweet smile and excitement and persistence to learn new things gave me the strength to persevere through the challenges. I hope I’ll be an inspiration for him to look up to as he gets older.”
She added that curiosity has always driven her work: “We’re always working toward the big picture, one question, one answer and one discovery at a time,” she said. “As scientists, we tend to forget the impact of our work because we spend so much of our time in the lab, far from direct patient interaction. That’s what makes Augusta University extraordinary. Here, we collaborate with clinicians, we meet patients and we’re reminded every single day why our work matters. It pushes us to ask better questions, to design stronger experiments and to pursue answers that truly make a difference in people’s lives.”
During her doctorate studies at Augusta University between 2021-2025, Mseis-Jackson mentored graduate students; chaired seminar speaker invitations; directed community relations for neuroscience education programs; published scientific papers; and received recognition for research excellence in 2024.
Reflecting on her experiences overcoming learning disabilities during her academic journey—experiences which shaped how she learns—she said: “I share my story with the hope that I might encourage someone else who is facing their own challenges,” she said. “I have a hidden learning disability that no one would know just by looking at me, and it has shaped the way I learn and move through life. It also taught me that everyone learns differently and that patience and understanding make a tremendous difference while teaching and mentoring one another. My journey has been one of hope and perseverance, and if it can help someone believe that determination can make the impossible possible then sharing it is more than worth it.”
Landon Gilbert will represent undergraduate students as their speaker during commencement after earning his Bachelor of Business Administration from James M. Hull College of Business at Augusta University.
Gilbert credits his commitment to service—and more than 500 hours volunteering since high school—to advice from his father about giving back to one’s community: “You have to give back to your community so it can give back to you.” At university he participated actively within student organizations including serving as president of Hull Business Society; sergeant-at-arms for Delta Chi Fraternity; member of Student Advisory Council; volunteer efforts included American Red Cross work along with local food banks.
He described how experiencing Hurricane Helene reinforced his understanding about supporting others: “I remember when Hurricane Helene came through Augusta… Being able to see needs… really reinforced what it means to volunteer.”
Gilbert acknowledged support systems throughout college—family members along with faculty such as Stacy Roberts (lecturer) played important roles guiding him toward graduation success.
“My time at Augusta University has been a big learning experience,” Gilbert said.”You come into college thinking that you know everything.This is a chapter that’s closing but one that’s also opening,and it’s one that everyone goes through in a different way,whether that’s through college,the workforce or military.It’s transition from person you were coming out high school silhouette stands before today.”
At graduation,Gilbert hopes fellow graduates remember dedication matters most when life gets difficult,and wants them carry forward message resilience into future setbacks.
