UD sophomore Jacob Wasserman (right) chats with Delaware U.S. Senator Tom Carper during one of their meetings on campus.

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Article by Casey Impagliazzo Photos courtesy of Jacob Wasserman February 12, 2019

Jacob Wasserman joins UD student groups, connects with state and federal government leaders

Sophomore Jacob Wasserman was reasonably confident when he arrived at the University of Delaware that he made the right choice, but his experiences since then have set that faith in stone. Through his determination to get involved in extracurricular activities and his interest in politics, this New Jersey native and son of a Blue Hen found his footing and more in UD’s uniquely intimate and interconnected community.

Wasserman is a political science major and is pursuing minors in political communication and public policy. His out-of-classroom achievements include membership and leadership in groups such as College Democrats at UD and the College Democrats of Delaware, the Student Government Association (SGA), and the student newspaper, The Review. He plans to work on Capitol Hill following graduation. He shared thoughts on particularly memorable moments with the Division of Student Life as part of its student spotlight series.

Q: What memorable experiences have helped to define your life at UD?

Wasserman: Through my extracurricular activities with SGA, The Review, and especially College Democrats, I have essentially had the opportunity to meet every person holding a statewide office in the state of Delaware, as well as several local and state legislators, which is something that I am very proud of. College Democrats also gave me the ability to be active in this past election cycle. We had so many amazing people who are mainstays in Delaware politics come to our meetings, and we were able to participate in so many great events and volunteer our time to campaigns, especially with Sen. Carper’s office on Main Street.

Another source of many great experiences has been the Biden Institute. Many of us did not know what the Biden Institute would materialize as on campus, but over my year and a half at UD, the institute and its fantastic staff have become such assets to the University and to my experience. It’s been incredible to see Joe Biden speak several times and have the opportunity to meet him, to hear from people like John Kasich and Ernest Moniz, to attend campus events like the bill signing for the Beau Biden Gun Violence Prevention Act, then meet its lead sponsor, Representative Dave Bentz (and later have him as a professor), as well as take a class on federal policymaking taught by the Biden Institute policy director Stefanie Feldman. I did not expect to be able to do all of these things when I got here, but they have become the highlights of my UD experience.

Another amazing experience was when I participated in a Career Trek through the UD Career Center to Washington, D.C., last year. This also involved the Biden Institute and included meetings with former White House and congressional staffers. It was a great experience, a cool networking opportunity, and another crazy thing I just didn’t expect to find at UD.

Blue Hen Jacob Wasserman (left) with Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wasserman’s home state of New Jersey.

Q: How has UD supported you in becoming a thriving Blue Hen?

Wasserman: There are so many great resources here that not nearly enough students take advantage of. The Career Trek is just one example, and the Career Center in general has many great resources that I feel are underutilized. The extracurricular scene here at UD and the sheer number of organizations students can get involved with through the University Student Centers, the amazingly interesting lectures like the National Agenda series that I’ve been able to attend, the academic departments that have opportunities like spending a semester in D.C., which is easy to do given UD’s proximity — all of these, especially for people interested in politics, are incredible opportunities.

Some may think that the state of Delaware’s size is a detriment, but it’s actually a great advantage for everyone at the University of Delaware, especially those interested in politics, based on how many legislators have gone here, or have connections here, and are happy to participate in events on campus. When The Review reached out to Sen. Carper with a shot-in-the-dark interview request, we found out that his press secretary was a former Review editor-in-chief who was happy to connect us. Since then, we’ve interacted with him several times and even brought him to Trabant. We were able to have a sitting U.S. senator hang out at a kiosk, talking to people and answering questions.

Coming here and getting involved in politics is not only easy, but provides opportunities to meet people in the highest levels of state government and the state’s representatives. Everything happens at the University of Delaware.

Q: What’s your advice for students who may be interested in following a similar path?

Wasserman: No one really prepares you for the adjustment to college. Getting and staying involved with extracurriculars has played the greatest role in my adjustment to UD; it makes you feel connected to campus, exposes you to opportunities, and also helps you make friends. The early days can be hard, and keeping in touch with your family support network at home is also important. My parents have provided endless support and motivation, which I very much thank them for.

Make the investment right when you arrive by going to Activities Night, and know that the payoff comes a bit later. It may be the next semester before you settle into a routine and start seeing some familiar faces in students, faculty and staff. Whatever activity you choose brings a community of more than 18,000 students down to a much more manageable and comfortable level of a few hundred or even less.

There is an “After UD,” and ultimately all of us are here to succeed there. Each department has its own resources to help you get that job, and it is a bit of a process to get acquainted with all that’s available. Choosing one or two extracurriculars, especially an organization like SGA, is not only fun but can help you learn more about campus resources and open those doors that lead to opportunities for growth.

The reality is that politics affect every aspect of your life, and the elected offices are where decisions are made — about your air, about your water, about what happens around your home or where you can park your car. It’s beneficial to get more acquainted with the political process whether you want to form relationships with legislators or not, and in general it’s important to learn these skills of networking and connecting with people face to face in your field. So go to the events, and take a bit of time to talk to the panelists and presenters afterward. It shows them you were actually listening, and that you’re invested in what they had to say. You never know where opportunities will lead.

About Activities Night

Spring Activities Night will be held Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in Perkins Student Center as part of the spring 1743 Welcome Days schedule. This biannual event offers students an easy, fun opportunity to get involved and find the extra and co-curricular activities they've been looking for. The University Student Centers recognize more than 370 student organizations on campus, and over 200 groups will be present during Activities Night to greet potential new members.

About Student Life

The Division of Student Life includes the Office of the Dean of Students, Center for Black Culture, Center for Counseling and Student Development, Fraternity and Sorority Leadership and Learning, Office of Student Conduct, Orientation and Transition Programs, Residence Life and Housing, Student Diversity and Inclusion, Student Health Services, Student Services for Athletes, Student Wellness and Health Promotion, UD Career Center, and the University Student Centers. For more information about Student Life, visit thewebsite.