From AAP to Advocacy
November 20, 2025 Written by Chiu-Yin Mak | Courtesy of Benga Orefuwa
How Political Science Shaped UD Alum’s Path to Public Service
Benga Orefuwa, graduated from the University of Delaware in 2017 with a degree in political science after beginning his academic journey in the Associate in Arts Program (AAP). Today, he serves as a state human resource administrator and act case administrator with the Delaware Department of Human Resources, Division of Talent Management, where he applies his UD education and leadership training to improve policies and advocate for state employees.
Orefuwa’s path to a career in public service began with an unexpected detour. A Delaware high school graduate, he initially planned to join the Air Force after graduation. But when a soccer injury altered that plan, Orefuwa turned his focus to higher education—starting with the University’s Associate in Arts Program.
“I chose UD’s AAP because of the commitment to Delawareans,” Orefuwa recalled. “Coming from a Delaware high school, I knew that if you took certain classes, your chances of getting into the University were higher. But honestly, I didn’t really understand what the program was at first. Before orientation, I was curious—what did it mean to be a UD student taking classes outside the Newark campus?”
That question was answered quickly once the semester began.
“After orientation, I realized I was a UD student in every sense,” he said. “You could still participate in campus activities and have access to the same opportunities—it’s just that your classes were in Wilmington.”
Balancing college life was not easy. Orefuwa worked full time, participated in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) on the Newark campus and commuted daily between Wilmington and Newark—often starting his day at 4 a.m.
“It was rough,” he said with a laugh. “A lot of coffee was involved.” Still, he credits the AAP for helping him build discipline and resilience and his professors and advisors for keeping him on track.
UD’s political science courses were a turning point for Orefuwa. They made politics feel engaging and real, offering honest insight into how things work.
He also credited the strong academic guidance he received during his time at UD. His advisor helped him recognize when he was taking on too much and encouraged him to prioritize his coursework — support that played a key role in helping him graduate on time.
After earning his associate in arts degree, Orefuwa transitioned to the Newark campus, where he and several AAP peers continued their studies together. “That sense of community carried over,” he said. “It really prepared me for larger classes and a faster pace.”
Today, Orefuwa continues to build on the foundation he developed at UD, applying his political science background to his work in state government. He began his career in labor relations.
“Labor relations is all about understanding contracts, rules and laws—and how to apply them fairly,” he explained. “My background in political science gave me the foundation to interpret policy, negotiate and advocate for employees.”
Orefuwa credits his UD education for preparing him to adapt and lead. “Courses like mock Congress taught negotiation and teamwork—skills I use constantly,” he said. “In the real world, you rarely get everything you want. You have to collaborate to find common ground.”
Over time, Orefuwa advanced through various roles, each expanding his expertise in compliance, policy and leadership. Most recently, he completed a four-month certificate program with the State of Delaware that ran from September 2024 through February 2025. As part of the state’s Continuous Improvement Practitioner (CIP) training initiative, he earned two additional certifications—one in the foundations of project management from UD’s Professional and Continuing Studies, and another in change management from Prosci.
“I was kind of voluntold to do it,” he said with a grin. “But it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my career.”
The program reinforced the importance of having the right stakeholders at the table and streamlining processes to reduce inefficiency. “Now I use those lessons every day,” he said, noting his current work on a statewide leave management project launching in January. “The skills I learned help me manage complex projects with real impact for employees.”
To current AAP and UD students, his advice is simple but hard-earned: “Talk to your advisors. They’re there to help you. And don’t rush to figure everything out. Explore your options, stay involved and build relationships. UD offers so many opportunities—take advantage of them.”
Reflecting on his journey, Orefuwa sees a direct line between his undergraduate experience and his success today. “UD challenged me and supported me at the same time,” he said. “It gave me the skills and the confidence to make a difference. I’m proud to still be using what I learned to serve the people of Delaware.”
