Leah Spielman ’15: Perseverance, Purpose, and Paying It Forward

When Leah Spielman finally earned her degree in December 2015, it wasn’t just a milestone. It was the closing of a ten-year chapter of hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance. A first-generation college student from Saint Paul, she had spent years balancing full-time jobs, part-time coursework, and family obligations before finally finishing her degree at Metropolitan State University. 

That accomplishment, she says, remains one of the most meaningful of her life. “It was a really big deal for me and for my family,” Leah reflects. “No one else had graduated from college. I wanted to finish for myself, but also for them.” 

Like so many Metro State students, Leah’s path to graduation wasn’t linear. She first enrolled at St. Catherine University, but financial pressures quickly mounted. She transferred to Saint Paul College, then back to St. Kate’s, all while working full-time. Progress was slow. 

“I was very much a nontraditional student,” she says. “It took me ten years to finish my degree because I was always balancing school with work. Eventually, I realized I needed to take a leap—so I left my job and committed to finishing at Metro.” 

She enrolled in the fall of 2014 and, in just three semesters, earned her bachelor’s degree in Individualized Studies with a focus on marketing communications. The program’s flexibility gave her room to combine her interest in marketing with coursework in communications, public relations, and even law enforcement. 

“It was the best of both worlds,” she says. “I wanted something broad that could help me in multiple directions, and Metro allowed me to create that.” 

Determined to build hands-on experience, Leah went a step further during her time at Metro: she created her own internship with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office. The role gave her direct exposure to public sector communications and the chance to practice what she was learning. 

“That internship really showed me that I could carve my own path,” she recalls. “I didn’t wait for opportunities to come—I went out and made them.” 

That lesson in self-advocacy stayed with her, shaping her career and later guiding the advice she shares with Metro State students. 

At first, after graduation, Leah thought she was done with school. “I didn’t want anything to do with college after being in classes for so long,” she laughs. But an invitation from community faculty Rose McKinney brought her back sooner than she expected. McKinney asked her to return and speak to communications students about her career journey. 

From that first classroom visit, Leah discovered she loved connecting with students. “It felt like a full-circle moment,” she says. “I remembered how much it meant to hear from people who had been in our shoes.” 

Her involvement deepened when she joined the Career Center in mentoring and networking activities. Rachel Nihart, a career counselor at Metro, recalls how naturally Leah fit into the role. 

“Leah fully represents the values of Metro State University through her ongoing commitment to community engagement, diversity, inclusion, and lifelong learning,” says Nihart. “She has remained involved with the Career Center as an alum, mentoring students, participating in networking events, and presenting on LinkedIn best practices at the Alumni Career Experience. Other alumni can get involved in similar ways by sharing their expertise, mentoring students, or participating in Career Center programs. It was through that connection that Leah first reengaged with the Career Center.” 

Leah’s professional life also intersected with her alma mater in unexpected ways. While working at Best Buy, she learned about the company’s collaboration with Metro State’s Career Center to recruit students. She immediately volunteered to join the effort. 

“When Leah heard about the work the Career Center was doing with Best Buy, she was working there in a different department but enthusiastically joined the BB team as a proud Metro State alumna,” says Bill Baldus, director of the Career Center. “What I noticed right away was her energy. At one event on campus, she was still having a mentoring conversation with three students long after the event was over.” 

Her passion for leadership and professional development left a mark on the Career Center team as well. Baldus notes that Leah was the one who recommended The Unspoken Rules: Secrets to Starting Your Career Off Right by Gorick Ng. “We liked it so much we invited him to be that year’s Career Ideas Festival speaker,” he says. “Leah loves helping students see their potential and encouraging them to try new things to grow into that potential. She’s amazing.” 

Leah credits much of her persistence to her grandmother, Catherine Fischer, who raised her for much of her childhood. “Every time I dropped out, she reminded me that the years would pass anyway—better to finish with a degree than without one,” Leah says. 

Catherine, who never had the chance to earn a degree herself, was determined that Leah would finish what she started. “She was such a huge influence,” Leah says. “When I finally graduated, it was for her as much as for me.” 

Leah’s motivation to stay connected with Metro State is rooted in gratitude for the support she received and the opportunities she was able to create. She knows firsthand how valuable alumni connections can be for students navigating nontraditional paths. 

“Mentorship and advice can change the way someone sees themselves,” she explains. “I didn’t always believe I could finish, or that I belonged. Having someone tell you that you can—that you should try—makes a huge difference.” 

Now recognized as Alumna of the Year, Leah sees her story as both personal and collective—a reminder of what is possible and an invitation to other alumni. 

She encourages fellow graduates to get involved in ways that feel natural to them. “Start small,” she advises. “You don’t have to commit to a big role or committee. Speak to a class, mentor a student, connect with the Career Center, or join an alumni event. Find the way that fits your skills and passion.” 

Leah points to colleagues who contribute by bringing real-world projects into classrooms or sharing professional expertise through workshops. “For me, it’s been mentoring and helping students reframe their experiences,” she says. “For others, it might be something else. What matters is that you give back in a way that’s authentic to you.” 

Her message is clear: alumni don’t have to wait for the perfect moment or the perfect role to make a difference. “Small contributions can make a big impact,” Leah says. “If every alum gave back in the way they felt best equipped, imagine the opportunities we could create for students. 

Looking back, Leah still remembers the hesitation she felt before enrolling at Metro State, worried that she might not fit the profile of a “traditional” student. But Metro State’s mission to serve diverse learners made it the perfect home. 

“It was exactly where I needed to be,” she says. “It gave me the flexibility to finish my degree and the community to grow beyond it.” 

Now, with her degree, her career, and her ongoing service to Metro, Leah embodies the cycle of resilience and giving back that defines so many Metro State alumni. Her recognition as Alum of the Year is not just about her achievements, but about the opportunities she continues to create for others. 

“Metro State gave me the chance to finish,” she says. “Now I get to help others see what’s possible. That feels like the most important part of all.”