After finding success inspiring others to pursue fulfilling careers in higher education,
̳ alumna Nicole Gwanzura ’12, MBA ’13, will share her strategies
for living a fulfilling life after college as the keynote speaker for Winter Commencement on Dec. 13 and 14.
Gwanzura is the CEO of Education Advancement Consulting LLC, a firm dedicated to workforce
development created in 2021. Gwanzura took on the role after more than a decade of
working in higher education and early career development. Throughout her career, she
has helped hundreds of students and professionals navigate fulfilling careers while
prioritizing their well-being. She recently hosted her inaugural, sold-out Wellness
at Work professional development conference in partnership with Amazon and Apple Federal
Credit Union.
Gwanzura’s own journey, shaped by her identity and life experiences, has inspired
her career path and her dedication to helping others. Originally from Zimbabwe and
the first in her family to graduate from college in the United States, Gwanzura has
transformed this milestone into a mission. Through Education Advancement Consulting
(EAC), she is dedicated to dismantling barriers to access and confidence in career
development, supporting universities in empowering first-generation and low-income
students while equipping professionals to create accessible career pathways.
Speaking at a university commencement is an especially exciting moment for her.
“For me, it’s a dream come true,” Gwanzura said. “And at my alma mater, it means that
much more to me. It’s a full circle moment for me.”
She aspires to bring key points to her commencement speech from her daily interactions
with students and professionals in a message that is authentic, honest and inspiring.
“The main message of my speech is resilience,” she said. “I’m talking about accepting
challenging moments, running your own race and operating in your zone of genius.”
She is no stranger to returning to campus and staying in touch. Gwanzura currently
serves on the alumni association board of directors, where she acts as a pillar of
support and a community builder for future Highlanders.
Her thought leadership has appeared in Fortune, Her Campus, and Poets & Quants, and
she has been featured on platforms like Jenna Kutcher’s “The Goal Digger Podcast”
and “The Internship Show” in addition to her own podcast, “Wellness with EAC Podcast,”
which reaches listeners in 12 countries across four continents. Through it, she champions
a global conversation on wellness at work.