Inspired by a wide range of goals to achieve at UD and beyond, more than 400 scholars gathered inside and outside the Trabant University Center for the fall semester’s New Graduate Student Orientation.

Missions to accomplish

Article by Adam S. Kamras and Cori Burcham Photos by Evan Krape August 27, 2025

UD’s newest grad students share goals

Representing every inhabited continent on the globe, more than 400 scholars gathered in the University of Delaware’s Trabant University Center for the fall semester’s New Graduate Student Orientation. UD’s latest pursuers of doctorates, master’s degrees and graduate certificates include first-generation graduate students, parents and other types of caregivers, musicians, athletes, artists and scientists. Many of them are fresh off a bachelor’s degree, and others are making a long-awaited return to school with extensive professional experience.

With these varying backgrounds comes a host of reasons for enrolling in one of UD’s 200-plus graduate programs. UDaily caught up with some of the attendees to ask them, “What do you plan to accomplish as a University of Delaware graduate student?”

Master cybersecurity

Sushant Dinesh Behere
Computer Science - M.S.

“My father bought a computer when I was 6 years old, and I just fell in love with it and was curious about how it worked. Whenever the computer engineer worked on fixing issues, I calmly watched, offered to help and asked a lot of questions. After earning my undergraduate degree in computer science back home in India, I broadened my knowledge by earning a cybersecurity certificate. I researched many universities in the United States where I could pursue a master's degree in computer science and decided UD would be the best place to keep learning about cybersecurity because of the classes offered and the University's rankings.”

Sushant Dinesh Behere plans to master cybersecurity.

Advance climate science

Ashley Fanning
Climatology - Ph.D.

“I'm really interested in climate science. I've been drawn to this field since I was in middle school. When I was 7, I wanted to be a meteorologist, and that turned into climate science and climate advocacy. I'm excited to learn more about the field and how I can advance climate science and the communication of climate change because nowadays, information needs to be translated for people to understand it and take action. That's something I'm really passionate about.”

Ashley Fanning plans to advance climate science.

Give back through public service

Lauren Hollinger
Geography - M.S.

“I'm excited to round out my research interests and dive deeper into the field of geography, especially the ways it helps us understand the relationships between people and land. I'm also really interested in public policy and research that is directly informed by communities. I've done work in public service for local and state governments, and some of my favorite roles have been public-facing. I'd like to eventually make my way back to the public sector in some capacity. I'm especially excited about the location of Delaware being so close to Washington, D.C., and so many hubs for public service where I can give back.”

Lauren Hollinger plans to give back through public service.

Become an art professor

Bryce Leeson
Fine Arts - M.F.A

“Everything about fine arts excites me. A lot of people in my undergraduate fine arts program at West Chester University recommended UD to me. I am looking to get my master’s so that I can become a professor of printmaking. When I tell people that I am into printmaking, they usually ask what that is — that’s why we need professors in it. I am here to learn all that I can, make connections and new friends, and meet awesome people.”

Bryce Leeson plans to become an art professor.

Reduce medicine costs

Claire Santangelo
Chemical Engineering - Ph.D.

“My undergraduate advisor at Saint Joseph’s University went to UD for her Ph.D. in chemistry and recommended the chemical engineering program. When I came here for an accepted students’ weekend, I really liked the good vibes I felt, especially compared to the other schools I visited. Because I want to help people with diseases, I am interested in working in the pharmaceutical industry. I want to learn as much as I can so I can lower the prices of medications.”

Claire Santangelo plans to reduce medicine costs.

Make our money work for us

Shawn Stevens
Finance - M.S.

“I have been a police officer for 10 years and am looking to change careers to something less physically demanding. After getting into stock trading on a personal level, I realized how money can work for you, rather than having to work so hard for it. I want to learn all about finance so I can pass that knowledge down to my kids and also help fellow police officers and anyone else. It’s not necessarily how much you make but what you do with it.”

Shawn Stevens plans to make our money work for us.

Research, research, research disaster management

Wyatt Taylor
Sociology - Ph.D.

“I came to the University of Delaware to do research, research, research about disaster management. Since its Disaster Research Center and disaster programs are at the forefront of the nation, and UD is a very prestigious R1 doctoral university, this is the place for me to learn how to do research and conduct research. I eventually want to become a research professor like one of my role models. I want to help other people with their working disasters while also teaching the next generation of students.”

Wyatt Taylor plans to "research, research, research" disaster management.

Achieve lifelong career goal

Rachael VerNooy
Social Work - MSW

"I have thought about being a social worker all my life since my parents were both social workers when I was growing up. I have had other jobs and spent time at home with my kids. Now is my chance to dive into social work. I am interested in the broad, difficult question of how society can help all people have better lives, especially those who are struggling. UD seems like a great place for me to learn what’s out there in the social work field."

Rachael VerNooy plans to achieve a lifelong career goal.

Expand my business

Charlene Williams
Entrepreneurship and Innovation - Certificate

“I have my master’s in education. I've been tutoring children for I don't know how long so I decided I really want to make it into a business. Then I happened to be looking through the University of Delaware catalog one day, and when I saw the entrepreneurship and innovation certificate, it inspired me to get more information and finally do it for real. I want to build my business on a bigger scale, and I’m excited to learn more. Once I complete the 12 credits, I can use them toward a master’s if that’s what I choose to do.”