After battling depression and personal challenges, the outstanding student has been named Community College of Baltimore County's 2026 President's Distinguished Graduate and will deliver the commencement address to the graduating class. Success stories are often measured by grades, awards, and achievements. But for Sanjana Gaddam, success means something deeper — finding the strength to keep moving forward even when life feels overwhelming.
This year, Gaddam has been named the 2026 President's Distinguished Graduate at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), a recognition reserved for students who exemplify academic excellence, leadership, and service. On May 31, she will stand before hundreds of graduates at CCBC Essex as the keynote commencement speaker, sharing a journey defined not only by accomplishment but also by courage and resilience. Behind her remarkable achievements lies a story of perseverance through financial hardships, personal obstacles, and mental health struggles that could easily have derailed her dreams. A Silent Battle Behind Academic Success During her time at CCBC, Gaddam maintained an exceptional 4.0 GPA as a member of the Honors College. She balanced rigorous coursework with part-time employment, student leadership responsibilities, research projects, and community service. Yet beneath those accomplishments, she was navigating challenges that many students face but rarely discuss openly: mental health difficulties, including depression. Rather than allowing those struggles to define her, Gaddam chose to confront them with honesty and determination.
She made caring for her mental well-being a daily priority, recognizing that success is not simply about academic achievement but also about personal healing and self-awareness. Her willingness to speak openly about mental health has become one of her greatest strengths. By sharing her experiences, she hopes to challenge the stigma that still surrounds depression and other mental health conditions, particularly among young people who often feel pressured to appear strong and successful at all times. Turning Adversity Into Purpose Throughout her college years, Gaddam emerged as a leader both inside and outside the classroom.
She served as president of the Catonsville Student Honors Council and took on leadership roles in student engagement initiatives and the Student Alumni Council. Beyond campus, she dedicated herself to helping others, advocating for marginalized communities, supporting individuals with disabilities, and volunteering with local organizations committed to social justice and community empowerment. Her experiences transformed personal challenges into a commitment to service, giving her a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by others.
Excellence Recognized on a National Stage Gaddam's hard work has earned recognition far beyond the classroom. She was recently awarded the prestigious Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship, which will support her study-abroad experience in Belfast, Ireland, this summer. She has also been selected as a recipient of the highly competitive Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, one of the nation's most prestigious scholarships for community college students.
. This fall, she will continue her academic journey at Georgetown University, where she plans to study public policy before pursuing law school. A Message for Every Student Facing Challenges As she prepares to address the Class of 2026, Gaddam's story carries an important message for students everywhere. Mental health struggles do not define a person's potential. Difficult days, setbacks, and moments of uncertainty do not erase the possibility of success. Through resilience, self-care, and a willingness to seek support, challenges can become stepping stones rather than barriers. From battling depression to earning top academic honors, from overcoming personal hardships to becoming a respected student leader, Sanjana Gaddam's journey is a powerful reminder that strength is often built in the moments no one else sees. When she takes the stage as CCBC's commencement speaker, she will represent far more than academic achievement. She will embody hope for every student who has ever wondered whether they could overcome their struggles and achieve their dreams. Her answer is clear: yes, they can.