By Elisabeth Costanzo Stewart
Quentin Pappadakis (LA’ 26) arrived at SUNY Broome’s 77th Commencement ceremony armed with a message – success doesn’t have a timeline. Paying homage to Binghamton’s status as the “Carousel Capital of the World,” Pappadakis, the 2026 Commencement’s official student speaker, addressed his fellow graduates with his own SUNY Broome story entitled “The Carousel of Life.” His theme reminded all in attendance that SUNY Broome graduates are to be admired not just for their academic accomplishments, but for the resilience that fueled each success.
Born in Binghamton, New York, Pappadakis was the second of seven children in a large, blended family. Hoping to follow in his late father’s footsteps into law enforcement, Pappadakis graduated from Binghamton High School and enrolled in SUNY Broome’s Criminal Justice program. But as is the case with many young students, life simply got in the way.
During his nearly decade-long hiatus from college, Pappadakis dabbled in everything from food service, to retail, to security. He stumbled into a position as a teacher’s aide and monitor at BOCES East Learning Center, and quickly discovered his natural affinity for working with children and teens. He returned to his alma mater, BHS, to work as an admin and safety assistant, and coach youth wrestling. Equally drawn to the classroom and athletics, Pappadakis returned to Broome in 2021 as a Sport Studies student, with the goal of becoming a physical education teacher.
“It was right around then that I learned about the Liberty Partnership Program (LPP) through Binghamton University,” Pappadakis shared. “LLP offers middle and high school students mentorship, academic support, and personal development – all things that I would have benefited from when I was a student.”
Pappadakis was hired as an LPP Academic Counselor, based out of Johnson City Middle School. As he became more and more connected to his mentees, the thought of leaving them to continue his degree in physical education at SUNY Cortland seemed unimaginable.
“I didn’t want to leave my students, so I needed to find an academic path that aligned with my role with LPP,” Pappadakis reflected. “I decided to transfer to Binghamton University to study Human Development.”
Quentin Pappadakis (LA’ 26) addressing his fellow graduates at SUNY Broome’s 77th Commencement ceremony. (Photo Credit: Matt Ebbers)
Committed to “starting what he finished,” Pappadakis took advantage of cross-registration and the power of proximity. When he wasn’t molding young minds at JCMS, he was finishing his bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Binghamton University and his associate degree in Individual Studies from SUNY Broome, concurrently.
As his final semesters at both Binghamton and Broome drew to a close, Pappadakis realized that he was on track to graduate from both institutions just days apart. Riding the high of completing not one, but two college degrees, he took a leap and answered a call for submissions to become SUNY Broome’s 2026 Commencement Student Speaker. His honest testimony of setbacks and breakthroughs that shaped his journey as a first-generation college student deeply resonated with the Commencement Committee. As a result, Pappadakis’ “Carousel of Life” address was passionately delivered to hundreds of fellow graduates and thousands of family and friends – Including two of his very own Liberty students!
“We are living proof that you can begin, jump off, scrape your knees, and jump back on the carousel of life. Again and again and again… because it is never too late.” Pappadakis said. “And if someone like me, who once had no direction, no stability, and no certainty, can stand here today, not only as a college graduate of SUNY Broome and Binghamton University, but as someone who works for Liberty Partnerships as an academic counselor, responsible for guiding the next generation – then there is nothing stopping you.”
As Pappadakis takes some time to relish in his recent academic accomplishments, he makes sure to include his LPP students in the celebrations. A steadfast believer in the power of exposure, Pappadakis’ favorite part of his job is ushering his mentees to college visits across the state – hoping each tour will inspire them to hop on their own carousel of life.
“No matter your background or your upbringing We are the class of 2026. Let’s ride this carousal of life together.” – Quentin Pappadakis (LA’ 26). (Photo Credit: Matt Ebbers)
Tags: Commencement and Graduation, Individual Studies AAS and AS, Liberal Arts Division
