QUEST
QUEST
First-Year Leadership and College Transition Experience
QUEST is designed to help you create connections across campus with other first-year students and upper class peer mentors, build your confidence and develop and practice key leadership behaviors and skills, all while feeling comfortable in your new home here at UD.
This selective program is open to 105 students who demonstrate an interest in learning about leadership and who show a desire to thrive through engagement in the UD community.
Email Matthew Creasy with questions at mcreasy@udel.edu.
QUEST Summer Leadership Experience: youtube.com/watch?v=IlcrS8lRfQk
What to Expect
QUEST participants engage in activities both on and off campus. They’ll hear from keynote speakers, experience campus resources and build bonds to last a lifetime. A day trip to Sandy Hill camp will include outdoor activities, such as rope courses, boat races and an evening bonfire. Participants also socialize with other first-year students, join leadership workshops, identify values, set goals, engage in community service and more.
Outcomes
Participants will:
- Identify a set of personal values
- Create a list of SMART goals for the fall semester
- Identify their personal leadership style
- Learn to work effectively as part of a diverse team
- Articulate concepts of various leadership models
- Learn to face fears, take risks and confront challenges
- Identify tools for success at UD
Our staff is committed to three overarching outcomes for you as a QUEST participant:
- Helping you adjust to college life at University of Delaware.
- Creating a sense of belonging and friendship networks across campus.
- Exploring your leadership potential to effectively step into and out of leadership processes while at UD and beyond!
2025 QUEST Student Coordinators
Hi everyone! My name is Casey Schaeffer (she/her/hers) and I am beyond excited to be one of your QUEST Student Coordinators this year! I am a senior from Yardley, PA, majoring in Leadership with a minor in Event Management. On campus you can find me in The Women’s Network Club, traveling with our alternative breaks program (UDAB) and hanging out with my friends on The Green. I also serve as the Leadership Representative within the Biden School and a member of the Community Engagement Scholars program. I love listening to music, playing volleyball and going on drives! I have met some of my closest friends through QUEST and through other programs through the Leadership and Service office and I cannot wait to meet all of you and make new shared memories!
Hi everyone! My name is Jason Puza (he/him/his), and I am from Dallas, PA, which is a real place (I promise). I am a senior pre-med biological sciences major with minors in philosophy and medical humanities, and I’m so so so excited to be a student coordinator for the 2025 QUEST program!! In my free time, I enjoy working out, playing video games and building LEGOs. Being part of QUEST has been an amazing experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to grow as a leader and connect with such an inspiring community. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you and supporting your leadership journeys!
Hi, everyone!! My name is Maddy Thompson (she/her/hers), and I’m so excited to be a Student Coordinator this year! I’m a senior from Pittsburgh, PA, and an Honors Human Physiology major with minors in Leadership and Spanish for Healthcare. On campus, I’m involved with the Leadership and Service office, Writing Fellows, OAE Tutoring and Greek Life (both Panhellenic and professional). When I’m not studying at ISE or the library, you can find me grabbing coffee with friends, going on walks, reading or listening to music. I love traveling, hugs and all things pink! My favorite leadership memory is traveling to Puerto Rico for an Alternative Winter Break Program and forming meaningful connections with new friends there. QUEST has provided me with a safe space to grow as a leader, build confidence, celebrate the little wins in life and find a family away from home. I can’t wait to meet all of you!
All Peer Mentors are Certified Peer Educators (CPE), as designed by NASPA, the association for Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education.
CPE training helps peer educators develop leadership skills to be able to successfully create and implement campus programs. The training includes eight modules covering the role of peer education, helping peers make a behavior change, listening skills, response and referral skills, how to take action and intervene, recognizing the role of diversity and inclusivity, programming and presentation skills, self-care and group dynamics.
Connect
Perkins Student Center, 325 Academy Street, 302-831-6364 | Trabant University Center, 17 West Main Street, 302-831-2633 student-centers@udel.edu