Sixty-First Commencement
Class of 2026 Salutatorian
Vlad Khadarkevich
Science for Forensics major
Uladzislau Khadarkevich came to Kingsborough the hard way: by leaving almost everything behind. Born and raised in Belarus, Vlad was in his junior year of a chemistry degree when he won a U.S. Green Card through the Diversity Visa Lottery. He was 21 years old.
Since high school, he had planned to first finish his degree in Belarus and then apply for a U.S. student visa. The lottery changed everything. "That was the moment I realized this wasn't just a long-term dream — it was happening right now," he said. "I understood immediately that I couldn't risk losing the opportunity to live a more open and better life."
That decision came at a cost. Because the U.S. and Belarusian educational systems differ so significantly, only a few of his credits transferred. He applied to four CUNY colleges as a transfer student. Kingsborough responded first, and after reading reviews and considering the location, he chose it.
To prepare for college-level English, he enrolled in the CLIP English program the summer after he arrived in 2023, a bigger challenge than it might sound. In Belarus, Vlad had studied German, not English, and had just one year of English instruction before coming to the U.S.
"Learning English in the CLIP program was one of the hardest parts," he said. "I never considered myself good at learning foreign languages, so starting CLIP felt intimidating."
He pushed through. The following spring, after passing the CUNY English exam, he officially began studying chemistry. A year later, he discovered Kingsborough's partnership with the CUNY Justice Academy at John Jay College and switched his major to science for forensics.
Balancing a full course load with full-time work was one of his biggest challenges. A few weeks after arriving in New York, Vlad took a job at a grocery store in the Sheepshead Bay area to cover rent and basic expenses. He stayed there for two years while studying at Kingsborough, but eventually recognized a problem.
"Most of my coworkers and customers were Russian speakers, like me, and I didn't feel like I was improving my English or gaining experience related to my major," he said. "One day, I decided to make a change."
He quit without another job lined up, moved to Manhattan, and within a week was hired as a specimen processing technician at a medical lab in Brooklyn, working night shifts. “It wasn’t perfect, but it was a step closer to the scientific field I wanted to be in.”
Through it all, Vlad made it work. He earned two Dean's List certificates during his time at Kingsborough. "The first one was especially meaningful because I did not expect it," he said. "Balancing full-time work and school was extremely demanding, so receiving recognition for my academic performance was very rewarding."
Two professors had a particularly strong impact on him: Dr. Gregory Aizin, his physics professor, and Dr. Emral Devany, his biology professor. Both wrote letters of recommendation supporting his successful application to the accelerated bachelor's/master's program in forensic science at John Jay.
"Their classes were engaging, challenging, and incredibly well taught," he said. "Their belief in my potential meant a great deal."
He is the first in his family to attend college and the first to pursue higher education in another country. His parents, he said, always encouraged him to value education. By high school, he had found his passion for science, particularly chemistry.
Vlad graduated from Kingsborough in January 2026 with an associate degree in science for forensics. He transferred to John Jay College of Criminal Justice in spring 2026, where he is now majoring in forensic science with a concentration in toxicology and a minor in biology.
At John Jay, he has joined the LGBTQ+ Resource Center, something of significant personal importance. “Coming from a place where being LGBTQ+ is often stigmatized, the ability to be honest about who I am and to exist without fear is something I value deeply," he shared.
Looking ahead, Vlad hopes to work in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the NYPD Crime Laboratory, and ultimately, the FBI Forensic Laboratory. “I hope to be working in a federal forensic laboratory, ideally the FBI, helping solve complex criminal cases and contributing to justice through science.”
What drew him to the field wasn't glamour — it was purpose. "Forensics combines analytical work with real-world purpose — helping solve cases, uncover the truth, and bring justice to people who need it," he said. "It's science with meaning."
His advice to incoming students is to take your time. "The first year may feel overwhelming, but it is an important time for growth and self-discovery," he said. "Don't rush. Everyone's timeline is different. Just stay persistent and don't give up."