Buckley Nettles ’26 and the 66th Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
Photo Credit: Nathaly Norman
Prior to the university’s first Democracy in Dialogue Speaker Series event on March 30, 2026, I had the incredible honor of sitting down for a brief conversation with the 66th U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, about leadership and the challenges and opportunities facing college students today.
As a senior preparing to graduate in May and step into the next chapter of my life, the opportunity to speak with someone who has led at the highest levels of government felt both humbling and deeply meaningful. While I asked questions from my own perspective as a soon-to-be graduate, I quickly realized that the wisdom she shared was not just meant for me. It was advice that every graduate preparing to step into the world could carry with them.
Secretary Rice’s response immediately resonated with me. She said, “Someone has to be the first, so make it you.” Hearing that from someone who has broken so many barriers was incredibly empowering. What struck me most was her emphasis on preparation. She explained that while you may sometimes find yourself as the only person in the room like you, that cannot become your focus. Instead, she said she always focused on being the most prepared person in the room. Doing the work, knowing the material and holding herself to the highest standards made the difference. For graduates entering new spaces and new careers, her message was clear. Preparation builds confidence, and confidence earns respect.
I was fascinated by her reflection on college. She shared that she initially planned to become a concert pianist and had devoted years to that pursuit. After attending the Aspen Music Festival and recognizing the extraordinary level of talent around her, she realized that her path might lie elsewhere. During her junior year, she discovered her passion for international politics and changed her major. She spoke warmly about her mentor, Dr. Josef Korbel, who introduced her to Soviet studies and helped guide her toward the field that ultimately shaped her career. Listening to her describe that moment reminded me that changing direction is not failure. Often, it is how we discover where we truly belong.
Her answer challenged a mindset that many of us share. Secretary Rice noted that young people often try to plan every detail of their lives. While planning can be helpful, she explained that it can also prevent us from recognizing unexpected opportunities along the way. Leadership develops gradually. It grows through experience, through watching others lead and through remaining open to paths we may not have originally imagined.
Her answer was both simple and powerful. Preparation and confidence matter. She explained that she always walked into rooms knowing exactly what she was talking about because she had done the work to prepare. When you are prepared, credibility follows. She also emphasized the importance of confidence. She encouraged young professionals to speak up, share their ideas and trust their own voice.
I left the conversation feeling both inspired and challenged. Speaking with Secretary Rice reminded me that leadership is not something you suddenly arrive at one day. It is something you grow into through preparation, perseverance and a willingness to step forward when opportunities arise.
66th Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Buckley Nettles ’26
Photo Credit: Nathaly Norman
For those of us graduating and beginning our next chapter, her words serve as a powerful reminder that the future is something we actively shape through the choices we make, the work we put in and the courage we bring to the rooms we enter. That idea reflects something Auburn students know well: success is built through preparation, perseverance and a belief in hard work.
As the Auburn Creed reminds us, we believe in work, hard work, and in the dignity of earning our place through effort and purpose. It is a belief that I am confident will carry Auburn students forward wherever the next chapter leads.
