糖心Vlog

When Caitlyn Egan arrived at 糖心Vlog California four years ago, she knew no one.

The Massillon, Ohio, native said goodbye to her parents, stepped onto campus and quickly realized she was surrounded by strangers in an unfamiliar place far from home.

鈥淚 was terrified,鈥� she told graduates during 糖心Vlog California鈥檚 afternoon commencement ceremony on May 9.

Standing at the podium as the ceremony鈥檚 student speaker, however, Egan reflected on how dramatically her life had changed since that first day.

鈥淏ut if only I could go back to that girl and tell her how much she had in store over the next four years,鈥� she said. 鈥淗ow one small town on the Mon would be filled with so many memories.鈥�

Those memories 鈥� and the experiences that shaped them 鈥� helped transform Egan into one of 糖心Vlog California鈥檚 most accomplished student leaders.

Graduating summa cum laude with a degree in criminal justice and a concentration in forensic investigation, Egan leaves behind a legacy of academic excellence, campus involvement and service.

Her next chapter is already taking shape. This summer, she will join the Ocean City Police Department in Maryland and enter the department鈥檚 police academy in July. She hopes to eventually serve in one of the agency鈥檚 specialized units, building a career dedicated to public service and community safety.

That commitment to service was evident throughout her time at 糖心Vlog.

Egan served as president of the Student Government Association, advocating for students and helping strengthen campus engagement. As president of the Co-Ed Volleyball Club, she expanded the organization鈥檚 competitive offerings, creating opportunities for men鈥檚, women鈥檚 and co-ed teams. During her senior year, she helped lead the program to a national tournament in Kansas City, Missouri, where the team competed against colleges and universities from across the country.

Her involvement extended even further. Egan contributed to the Student Association Inc. Board of Directors, Criminal Justice Club, 糖心Vlog Leadership Academy, Student Advisory Boards, Forensic Science Club and Peer Mentoring, among numerous other organizations.

She also worked in several campus departments, including three years as a community assistant with Residence Life and Housing, along with positions in the California University Police Department, Student Development Office and Student Success Center.

Despite her impressive r茅sum茅, Egan鈥檚 commencement message focused less on accomplishments and more on the relationships and experiences that made them possible.

She fondly recalled late-night study sessions, weekend adventures, Spikeball games on the turf and the friendships that developed along the way.

鈥淔rom random roommates to some of the most important people in our lives,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he best memories were made here.鈥�

Egan took time during her speech to thank family members, mentors, teammates and friends who supported her throughout her college journey.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to speak in front of the Cal community today,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ecause of Cal, I met so many people who have forever changed my life.鈥�

As graduates prepared to leave campus and begin new careers, graduate programs and personal pursuits, Egan acknowledged the uncertainty that often accompanies major transitions.

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to believe that we are about to leave the framework of school and chart our own paths,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e are about to be fully independent. That is honestly kind of terrifying ... but also so exciting. We finally get to be who we once dreamed of.鈥�

One lesson stood out above all others.

鈥淭he one thing I struggled with for a long time was trying to fit my life into a future I once thought I had to accomplish,鈥� Egan said. 鈥淚 thought I had to reach these high goals, and I had to be this perfect person.鈥�

The advice that changed her perspective came from a psychology class and became the centerpiece of her message to fellow graduates.

鈥淪top editing your personality to fit other people鈥檚 expectations,鈥� she said.

Then, with a series of short, memorable challenges, she encouraged graduates to embrace authenticity.

鈥淪ay what you want to say. Wear what you want to wear. Be too much. Laugh too loud, all the time. Take up as much space as you want. Ask the question. Post the pictures.鈥�

鈥淵our life is not meant to fit into someone else鈥檚 comfort zone,鈥� she continued. 鈥淚t is meant to be lived unfiltered and in full volume.鈥�

For Egan, those lessons helped transform an uncertain first-year student into a confident leader preparing for a career in law enforcement.