Leading with heart: Ashley Jensen’s message to the Class of 2025

When Ashley Jensen returned to Queen Margaret University to address the Class of 2025 at the graduation ceremony, her words carried more than nostalgia - they pulsed with resilience, authenticity, and the courage to lead with heart. Her story, rooted in humble beginnings in Annan, but which later blossoming into an international acting career, is a testament to the enduring power of passion and perseverance.

Ashley began by reminding graduates of a truth often overlooked in a world obsessed with instant success: “You don’t need to have it all figured out from the beginning.” For her, the path from school plays to Hollywood was anything but linear. It was a journey marked by rejection, uncertainty, and countless small steps - proof that success rarely arrives overnight. Instead, it grows quietly, nourished by resilience and an unwavering belief in oneself.

Strength in vulnerability

Ashley’s candid reflections on rejection were striking. Told she wasn’t “tall enough, posh enough, thin enough - just not enough!” she could have given up early on in her career. Instead, she chose to rise again and again. “I got knocked down, and I got back up,” she said, quoting from the 1990’s anthem of persistence ‘Tubthumping’ by British rock band Chumbawamba.

This resilience - bending without breaking, learning to rest rather than quit - is the essence of heart. It’s not about being unbreakable; it’s about staying in the fight, even when the odds seem stacked against you. For today’s graduates, Ashley’s message resonates deeply: the world may test you, but your heart will carry you through.

Connection over perfection

In an era dominated by screens and instant gratification, Ashley urged graduates to embrace genuine connection. “While technology connects us, it can also disconnect us - from each other, from ourselves, from the present moment.” Her advice? Stay curious. Show up. Talk to people. Because heart thrives in relationships - in laughter shared over late-night essays, in friendships forged on campus, and in the courage to ask for help when life feels overwhelming.

QMU has always championed this ethos. Our 1950’s motto - Head, Hand and Heart - speaks to a holistic education that values intellect, practical skill, and emotional depth. Ashley’s words remind us that while knowledge and ability open doors, it is heart that gives life meaning and purpose.

Building your own door

Ashley’s journey wasn’t just about waiting for opportunities; it was about creating them. “If the doors don’t open, build your own door and walk through it with your head held high,” she urged. This boldness, coupled with vulnerability, is where heart truly shines. It’s the willingness to take risks, to fail, and to try again - echoing Samuel Beckett’s timeless wisdom: “Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”

A call to the Class of 2025

As Ashley closed her speech, her words were a rallying cry: “Go light it up. Go make noise. Go be the spark in someone’s day.” For our graduates, this is more than advice - it’s an invitation to lead with heart in every sphere of life. Whether in hospitals, classrooms, arts venues, boardrooms, or places yet to be imagined, the world needs individuals who are unapologetically themselves - radiant, resourceful, and resilient.

So, here is a message to our Class of 2025: life isn’t a rehearsal. Embrace the detours, cherish the connections, and let your heart guide you. And to all our alumni, this reminder still rings true. As Ashley says, she didn’t “become Ashley Jensen off the telly” until she was 38 years old - a powerful reminder that success takes time, resilience, and heart.