Graduate Spotlight: A Joyful Family Affair, Mother And Son To Graduate Together

When Elizabeth Christina Mendonca crosses the stage during SUNY Schenectady’s 55th Commencement, her son Mohamed Shahabuddeen won’t be cheering for her from the audience, he’ll be wearing his own cap and gown among this year’s graduates, waiting for his name to be called as well. Mother and son are both members of the Class of 2025 with Elizabeth earning her A.A. degree in Liberal Arts and Mohamed his A.S. degree in Mathematics and Science.

Elizabeth decided to take another step in her career after working as a Paraprofessional at William C. Keane Elementary School in Schenectady for the past 11 years. She is a wife and mother of four children, working full time while going to school, taking her courses mostly online. Elizabeth plans to transfer on for her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Elementary Education to become an elementary school teacher. As for the future, “I’m excited about having that degree and then saying,  ‘I’m a teacher. That’s my superpower!’ ”

Mohamed is a Smart Transfer student in the Early College High School program, graduating with both his diploma from Schenectady High School and his college degree. With a love for space, Mohamed plans to transfer to Siena College in the fall to major in Aeronautical Engineering with the career goal of one day working for NASA. He volunteers with the 15-Love program and has been a participant in Schenectady’s Rise High STEM program since he was in sixth grade. “I’m looking forward to becoming independent. Being able to travel the world is something I would like to do,” he shared.