Learn Why One UD Degree Wasn't Enough for Laura Taylor

"As one of the few national institutions with land, sea and space grants, the University of Delaware exposed me to research that drives real change even as an undergraduate. While I wanted the broad and well-rounded undergraduate education large universities offer, I also wanted to engage with an active research community and to gain some practical research experience.

UD gives me all the benefits of a big research university and the close-knit academic community that you would expect to find in a much smaller school.  From the start, I was able to form connections with UD faculty members who made me feel welcome and supported in terms of my personal and professional development.

I received some exciting job offers after completing two bachelor’s degrees, but I felt that prioritizing a master’s degree in agriculture and resource economics to further pursue my interest in research would better support my long-term career goals. Knowing my department and that the faculty’s research interests aligned with my own solidified my decision. I am currently working on a Delaware Sea Grant-funded project to make buyouts in vulnerable coastal areas more effective, to reduce risk for homeowners and to restore wetlands to help combat climate change.

My thesis work will support real-world policy making and prepare me for a variety of post-graduate options, whether in academia, the public sector, or a company. I am excited that I had the opportunity to pursue my personal and professional goals by continuing my education at the University of Delaware."

- Laura Taylor