Sakeena Razick completed a master’s in international policy with a focus in governance and development. Prior to Stanford, Sakeena worked for over six years in research, media, and the nonprofit sector in Sri Lanka and India. She has conducted research on post-war human rights and transitional justice, statelessness, minority rights, local terrorism, and harmful online speech. She delivered the student remarks at the 2025 graduation ceremony of the Ford Dorsey Master's in International Policy.

Our cohort also played multiple roles. If you’ve ever seen an American student insert himself into a touring group from China while around campus, only to then begin speaking in rapid Mandarin, that’s our very own Michael Alisky, who has a side-hustle publishing research on China’s economy and U.S.-China relations. Emerson, driven and unwavering, always seems to know what’s going on within the cohort, an achievement between her research which spans Stanford departments. We often speak about our future-selves, but Emerson is the kind of person you wish your past self could be: driven and unwavering. Tiffany raised the bar on multitasking, taking a meeting or publishing a paper all while in her own styled outfit. She’s probably posting about graduation on social media at this very moment!

We also have a range of talents. Julia balanced teaching and researching with performing with the Stanford Orchestra, and the ability to maintain the perfect poker face throughout any conversation. Euysun, a career diplomat who has led U.S.-Korea security cooperation, moonlights as a shopaholic contributing to the U.S. economy. Her logic is, if it’s on discount it’s almost free. Gustavs, or “Gus,” is our AI maestro, dependable and always on time.

Even though small, we are a mighty group, trying to identify every policy need in the moment. Sabina launched a mentorship program to support students navigating AI – whenever she wasn’t running to every beck and call of Soba, her cat. Anna will soon complement her impressive AI background with a dual degree in environment and resources, while Marco will continue his passion for international security post-graduation as an intelligence analyst.

When you are part of someone’s growth journey, you witness their highs and lows and are privy to both their brilliance and vulnerability. The last two years have been a culmination of professional wins and personal ones. We witnessed the transformation of two new girl dads, Sandeep and Markos, and welcomed baby Jinora and Madeleine to the cohort. They are preceded by the cohort’s ultimate girl dad, Joe, an active-duty U.S. army officer and bike chaperone to daughters Adelaide and Eleanor, and baby Nolan. We are also a cohort of rock star mums: Johanna, a mother-of-two, co-founded a startup and navigated Stanford as an expecting mum, and Gene, who deepened her work on human rights policy while also managing a full homework household.

To my community co-chair and Stanford partner-in-crime Rachel, whose organizational skills working in national security were channeled to hosting events and trips to wine country: between your ability to persuade vendors to offer the best discounts, and persuade yourself to have a fourth coffee, thereby contributing to Coupa Café’s profit, your commitment to community is integral to why we are here today bonded by mutual respect and care for each other. And I’d be remiss if I did not mention Santiago, another pillar in building community. His first introductions were always, “Hi I’m Santi, and I like to party”, and he followed through reminding us to enjoy the present, and smell the trees.

Of course, we did not get here by ourselves. To MIP’s staff and faculty who have supported us throughout — Professors Frank and Chonira, Meghan, Jonathan, Serage, Patrick, Laleh, and Lorena — thank you for all the work you do and always having your doors open. To Professor McFaul, thank you for enthusiastically championing our work and regularly welcoming us to your home. And to that end, a special shout out as well to Donna. To our professors: thank you for patiently guiding us through a quarter system and reminding us that even though we are master’s students, we have much to learn. To our student association representatives, and a special mention to our presidents, Kevin and Emily: , thank you for always making the time amidst your busy schedules!  I’d also like to take a moment to appreciate many others who are less visible in our everyday lives but vital in keeping our program smooth and running: MIP donors who contribute to our holistic learning in policy, FSI staff and researchers who augment our experience at Encina Hall, and Stanford’s maintenance and cleaning staff.

The MIP community has been a core part of my experience at Stanford, because that’s the kind of support I’ve always known. I grew up in the small island of Sri Lanka filled with contrasts: stunning tourist destinations marred by conflict and uncertainty. My first fifteen years of life occurred against a backdrop of a civil war, the next several during ethnic violence that targeted my community, and the years after, during a devastating economic crisis.

Each experience had a part to play in bringing me here. As conflict dipped in and out my life, people and communities influenced my life’s course.
 

I recognize that the world we are graduating in today is no better than the one I just described. The past two years have seen conflicts deepen, invasions increase, human and climate rights deteriorate rapidly, and the gap between those who have and those who do not widen at heartbreaking speed. I have no words of wisdom; I am still trying to navigate life. But I carry with me three core values.

First, to never underestimate the power of community. When state institutions, the very ones set up to protect, fail you, community — be it the one you grew up in or the one you formed for yourself — can fill that void. I am an embodiment of resilience by Sri Lankans before my time: policymakers, activists, journalists, diaspora, and many others.

Second, to believe and know that each individual has the power to change the very course set out for us. We, a graduating cohort at Stanford, have a unique set of privileges to do so. My years before flying out to Stanford and the U.S. for the first time were filled with protest. After each workday, I would choose a placard and join hundreds of Sri Lankans in peaceful protest. Months of mobilization mixed with pain and resilience finally saw the end of an authoritarian regime I had mostly only ever known. I will never take for granted the freedoms that we fought for or fail to recognize the privileges that brought me here. I ask of you the same.

I know that the past years have been filled with your own contrasts, joy but also pain for missed moments with loved ones, mapping dreams during uncertainty, and working so hard that it is a wonder how much sleep many of you got. But to be here, graduating, is one of immense privilege.

I dedicate this speech to all the students who are not graduating with us today: students in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar and other conflict zones, Muslim women like me in Afghanistan without the same choices, Sri Lankans who have not and still do not have the same choices I do. I dedicate this speech to all the people fighting for our rights across the world, and even closer to our present home, today. We see you, recognize you, and our hearts are with you.

My last value that I hold close — let us never deprioritize empathy, kindness, and love, in our work and for the people in our lives.

To the people in our lives, thank you.

To the loved ones gathered here today, who have undoubtedly sacrificed time, energy, and wholeheartedly given us so much of your love — we know we aren’t always easy while running off to pursue our dreams. But your patience and sacrifice is valued.

To my parents, who created a first-generation of daughters and showed me that an education is so much more when combined with resilience, grit, and love — I do not know how you do it.

To my mum: in another lifetime it would be you up here if you had even half the resources that I did. To my dad, working tirelessly to provide me with all of the resources, I hope you can finally consider retirement. To my grandparents, my second parents who made my science projects and birthday cakes, I am lucky to have you in my life.

Thank you also to my friends and mentors in Colombo and beyond. No pathway to success begins alone and you are my guiding lights. To my partner, with me here today, thank you for being there for me throughout, without question. To my sisters Salma, Saeeda, and Saajida, thank you for the tough love . You are my foundation and reason for everything I do in life.

To my cohort, thank you for your brilliance and bravery.

Please join me in congratulating the graduating class of 2025!