Meet Skyla Anderson, a public relations major from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and this year’s student commencement speaker for the College of Arts and Sciences and the Harrington School of Communication. Skyla chose public relations to better understand the strategy and psychology behind communication and how messaging shapes perception and builds connection. The field allowed her to combine creativity, organization, and strategic thinking while exploring how brands and individuals tell their stories. At URI, Skyla was deeply involved in campus leadership and community building. She served on the executive board of cvsa_uri, including as president during the 2024–2025 academic year, and is a member of the Talent Development program. Through these experiences, she developed a strong sense of purpose rooted in advocacy and uplifting others. Skyla’s proudest accomplishment is receiving the Martin Luther King Jr. Peacemaker Award, a recognition of her commitment to supporting others and c...