FSU Alumna and Graduate Student is FSU Spring 2026 Graduate Commencement Speaker

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Fayetteville State University is proud to announce that for the first time, a graduate student will serve as the keynote speaker for the university’s Spring 2026 Graduate Commencement ceremony. Sierra Osborn is an FSU alumna and graduate student. The graduate ceremony will be held Friday, May 8, at 10 a.m. on campus in Felton J. Capel Arena.

A Rising Leader in Health Innovation: Sierra Osborn 

Osborn is a graduate student in the Broadwell College of Business and Economics and a healthcare technology professional who is committed to advancing innovation in federal healthcare systems. A Fayetteville State University alumna, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Management, graduating cum laude, and is currently completing her Master of Business Administration with a focus on Health Informatics. 

During her time at FSU, Osborn distinguished herself as a leader, mentor, and advocate for student success. She served as a peer career coach in the Office of Career Services, supporting students with resume development, career readiness, and professional growth, and contributing to career programming and workshops across campus. 

As president of the Honors Club, Osborn promoted academic excellence and created opportunities for student engagement. She also secured a competitive STEM scholarship for historically Black colleges and universities, enabling her to attend the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Global Health Conference and Exhibition, where she explored emerging trends in health informatics and expanded her professional network. 

She brings experience in federal healthcare consulting, including work with Cerner Millennium and Oracle Health Systems, supporting efforts to improve care delivery and management. Her swift professional advancement highlights the innovative leadership FSU cultivates in its graduate programs.

A Distinguished Military Leader: Gen. Xavier T. Brunson

Brunson serves as the Commander of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea at Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea. Throughout his military career, Brunson has held numerous leadership roles across conventional and special operations forces. His operational experience includes service in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Freedom’s Sentinel, and Inherent Resolve. 

Commissioned as an Infantry Officer after graduating from Hampton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Brunson also earned a Master of Arts in Human Resource Development from Webster University and a Master of Science in National Security Strategic Studies from U.S. Army War College. 

“We are incredibly honored to have Gen. Brunson at our commencement and know that he will deliver an inspirational message to our graduates,” said Darrell T. Allison, chancellor at FSU. “Born at Fort Bragg and raised in Fayetteville, I can think of no better person to speak to FSU’s largest graduating class in history. Gen. Brunson’s military career is a living example of dedication and service for all of us, and especially for our graduating class."

Brunson’s distinguished service has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Trailblazer Award from the National Park Service’s Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and multiple regimental honors across Army branches. Brunson is married to retired Col. Kirsten Brunson, and they have two daughters and one son. 

FSU will graduate more than 1,241 students over two days, who will begin their careers in the workforce or military service, or continue their graduate studies. For more information, visit the commencement webpage at uncfsu.edu/commencement.