Alumna charges Pamplin graduates to bring their skills and connect as humans
Melissa Taylor ‘95 was the keynote speaker at the Pamplin College of Business commencement ceremonies.
As more than 1,600 Pamplin College of Business graduates celebrated commencement this May, Melissa Taylor ‘95, vice chair of clients & markets and member of the U.S. Management Committee at KPMG LLP, shared some advice.
“Every day I’m having conversations with KPMG’s senior leadership team, with Fortune 500 CEOs, industry and world leaders. Everybody is rallying around the opportunities with AI, technology and disruption, it is so exciting,” she told the graduates during ceremonies in Lane Stadium. “ I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Our conversations aren’t only about the technology. We are focused on the growing, glaring, immediate importance of human connection.”
She reminded graduates that they have been well-prepared for the competitive marketplace and should "bring their full suite of skills that they already acquired here at Virginia Tech."
For students, this reality meant that all the work they completed at Virginia Tech was just the beginning of successful careers to come.
“From your first day in Pamplin, you have been preparing for this moment. Each of you has followed a unique path through your majors, minors, and courses, challenging yourselves to think critically, solve business problems, and grow as professionals,” said Saonee Sarker, Richard E. Sorenson Dean of the Pamplin College of Business. “Today marks more than the completion of a degree. It reflects years of dedication, resilience, and growth, both academically and personally.”
In addition to celebrating students’ academic achievements and honorable distinctions, the college recognized student’s accomplishments in leadership, service, and transformational programs such as study abroad, student organizations and advisory boards, teaching assistantship and mentorship programs, and professional internships.
Pamplin graduating class of 2026:
- More than 1,400 undergraduate degrees awarded
- More than 260 Ph.D. and master’s degrees awarded
- More than 30 states and districts represented
- More than 10 countries represented
Graduates also heard from the 2026 Outstanding Senior student speaker Sara Prisinzano ’26, who completed a degree in accounting and information systems and will join EY as a GPS assurance associate.
“Virginia Tech has prepared us for our futures,” she said. “I know there is a groundbreaking entrepreneur, a highly rated investment banker, a successful marketing coordinator, a renowned CEO, a highly-effective cybersecurity analyst, a successful CPA, a top selling realtor, and more graduating here today thanks to all Pamplin has done for us.”
Their full remarks and ceremony can be found in the event’s live stream.
View the Pamplin 2026 Commencement photos.
