John Carroll University will welcome Catherine Hickman, Assistant General Manager of the Cleveland Browns, as this year’s graduate commencement speaker—bringing a career shaped by purpose, preparation, and the confidence to pursue her passion.
In her role with the Browns, Hickman is deeply involved in roster construction, player evaluation, and the football operations that support athletes every day. It’s work that comes into focus during pivotal moments like draft weekend, when years of scouting and strategy coalesce, and during the start of the regular season, when a team finally takes the field.
Surprisingly, Hickman did not begin her career in professional sports. Instead, she began working as a corporate and tax lawyer, before deciding to take a bold leap and pursue work related to her long-standing passion for football. That decision meant starting over, first as an intern with the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League, then building experience across multiple leagues on her way to the NFL.
“I was always looking for something I was passionate about,” Hickman said. “And football was the one thing that always came to mind.”
That decision, she notes, was grounded in both ambition and perspective. Confident in her legal background as a strong fallback, she allowed herself to fully commit to a new direction. Along the way, Hickman credits mentorship and preparation as key drivers of her growth. Early opportunities to take on more responsibility, paired with guidance from those around her, helped her build both confidence and a voice in high-level decision-making environments.
“Preparation has always been the key to my success,” she said. “It gave me confidence to contribute.”
Now, more than a decade into her career in football, Hickman brings a message to graduates that reflects both her journey and the realities of today’s professional landscape.
Careers, she emphasizes, are rarely linear. Detours, uncertainty, and moments of discomfort are not signs of failure, but often where growth begins.
That message is especially relevant for graduate students navigating what comes next, particularly those who may feel uncertain or behind.
“If that’s how you feel, it likely means you are on the right path,” Hickman said. “Getting comfortable being uncomfortable is the starting point.”
Above all, Hickman underscores the importance of the people you choose to surround yourself with. Mentors, advocates, and colleagues, she says, have played a defining role in her career—not only opening doors, but helping her walk through them.
As graduates prepare to cross the commencement stage, they will hear from a leader whose journey reflects resilience, adaptability, and a clear sense of purpose. Hickman’s story is a powerful reminder that success is not about following a prescribed path, but about having the courage to chart your own and the support to help you along the way.
John Carroll University's graduate commencement ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 11 a.m. on Hamlin Quad. The university looks forward to welcoming Catherine Hickman to campus and sharing her perspective with the Graduate School Class of 2026, their families, and the broader John Carroll community.
