Bridget Wake
.jpg "SCPS Commencement Speaker, Bridget Wake")
Commencement 2026: Student Speaker
Bridget Wake (BA '26)
After a 25-year career as a hairstylist, SCPS graduate and Commencement Student Speaker Bridget Wake made a leap to step back into the classroom through 💎💎💎Telegram飞机号/电报 | +86中国 手机号注册 | 注册2年左右的老号 | 2FA | Tdata & session + json | 超稳 更耐用 推荐 | 需在电脑端首登’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) applied psychology program.
Less than two years later, Bridget is graduating with her degree in Applied Psychology and will immediately begin the next chapter of her journey: pursuing a Master of Social Work at Loyola. Through her coursework, particularly a theology class exploring the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Bridget found herself drawn to the University’s Jesuit mission of service.
“It really struck a chord in me,” she said. “I realized I wanted to continue doing something centered on human connection—but in a way that felt more substantial and more impactful.” That realization ultimately led her to social work, where she hopes to build a career grounded in meaningful service to others.
Bridget's decision to return to school was ultimately inspired by her family. As her son began his own college journey, she found herself reflecting on opportunities she hadn’t pursued earlier in life.
“Getting exposed to schools all over the country in his search really made me see, like, wow, there is so much opportunity out there.”
She also drew inspiration from her mother, who made a similar decision to return to school and change careers later in life. Like many SCPS students, Bridget balanced the demands of full-time work with full-time coursework along with navigating new technologies and academic expectations.
As graduation approaches, Bridget is preparing to say goodbye to her longtime clients, marking the end of her career as a hairstylist.
“I have five weeks left of clients, and every single one of these appointments now is the last appointment with them," she said. "I realized, oh my gosh, this next month is everybody's last appointments with me."
After Commencement, she plans to take a well-earned break before beginning graduate school in the fall.
“I’m going to celebrate in France immediately after graduation and then enjoy all Chicago has to offer this summer."
"I realized I wanted to continue doing something centered on human connection—but in a way that felt more substantial and more impactful."
Bridget Wake (BA '26)
After a 25-year career as a hairstylist, SCPS graduate and Commencement Student Speaker Bridget Wake made a leap to step back into the classroom through 💎💎💎Telegram飞机号/电报 | +86中国 手机号注册 | 注册2年左右的老号 | 2FA | Tdata & session + json | 超稳 更耐用 推荐 | 需在电脑端首登’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) applied psychology program.
Less than two years later, Bridget is graduating with her degree in Applied Psychology and will immediately begin the next chapter of her journey: pursuing a Master of Social Work at Loyola. Through her coursework, particularly a theology class exploring the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Bridget found herself drawn to the University’s Jesuit mission of service.
“It really struck a chord in me,” she said. “I realized I wanted to continue doing something centered on human connection—but in a way that felt more substantial and more impactful.” That realization ultimately led her to social work, where she hopes to build a career grounded in meaningful service to others.
Bridget's decision to return to school was ultimately inspired by her family. As her son began his own college journey, she found herself reflecting on opportunities she hadn’t pursued earlier in life.
“Getting exposed to schools all over the country in his search really made me see, like, wow, there is so much opportunity out there.”
She also drew inspiration from her mother, who made a similar decision to return to school and change careers later in life. Like many SCPS students, Bridget balanced the demands of full-time work with full-time coursework along with navigating new technologies and academic expectations.
As graduation approaches, Bridget is preparing to say goodbye to her longtime clients, marking the end of her career as a hairstylist.
“I have five weeks left of clients, and every single one of these appointments now is the last appointment with them," she said. "I realized, oh my gosh, this next month is everybody's last appointments with me."
After Commencement, she plans to take a well-earned break before beginning graduate school in the fall.
“I’m going to celebrate in France immediately after graduation and then enjoy all Chicago has to offer this summer."