Lauren Gilligan serves as an events manager with the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) events team at the University of Delaware. She leads and collaborates on the strategic planning and execution of events ranging from department lectures and meetings to large-scale conferences, symposiums, enrollment events and convocations across the college’s more than 24 departments and programs.

She enjoys the variety that higher-education events offer—from the arts and music to the sciences and research—and partners with subject-matter experts to create meaningful opportunities for engagement and learning for students, community members and alumni. Her day-to-day work includes managing communications with clients, vendors and partners, coordinating logistics and overseeing event strategy.

Gilligan is currently leading preparations for UD Blue and Golden Days for prospective students and families. After stepping in to coordinate enrollment events in the absence of an enrollment manager for CAS, she is excited to launch new ideas and strategies this fall. Looking ahead, she aims to take the next step in her career by seeking roles that combine her graduate degree in communication with extensive experience in events—two disciplines that complement each other in shaping client and guest experiences.

She also expresses gratitude to mentors David Hannah and Kami Silk, whose guidance and encouragement inspired her to pursue and complete her graduate degree. Their support has been instrumental in her academic journey and ongoing career path.