A native of Chennai, India, Akshaya Shree Jawaharlal Nehru graduated from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics as an economics major with minors in mathematics, history and ethics.
Nehru was nominated for this series by Associate Professor of Economics Liz Bayley. In this profile, Nehru shares her favorite UD memories, challenges she has overcome and her plans following graduation.
Lerner: How do you think you have changed from your first semester at UD to now?
Nehru: As an international student with no family in the United States, coming to UD at 18 was both exciting and overwhelming. I remember feeling scared, homesick at times, and mostly focused on simply trying to stay afloat while adjusting to a completely new environment and culture.
Over the last four years, however, I think I have grown tremendously in both confidence and self-awareness. Through my academic experiences, leadership roles, research opportunities and the communities I became part of, I have developed confidence in my skills and abilities. More importantly, I feel that I have found myself in many ways by becoming more independent, resilient, and certain about the kind of impact I want to make in the future.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Nehru: One of the biggest challenges I have faced during my college experience has been taking on more than I could realistically handle. In my eagerness to learn and make the most of opportunities, I often overcommitted myself across academics, extracurriculars and research, which sometimes left me feeling overwhelmed and stretched too thin.
At the same time, I see this as a good problem to have, because it reflects how much the University of Delaware has exposed me to meaningful opportunities that have allowed me to see myself in many different roles and contexts. Over the last couple of years, I learned to manage this challenge by becoming more intentional about prioritizing my responsibilities and understanding my limits. I started planning my schedule more carefully, learning to say no when necessary and focusing on the commitments where I could make the most meaningful impact.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Nehru: My favorite signature UD experience has been founding and presiding the Economic Analysis Club. It has been especially meaningful because it allowed me to take an idea and turn it into a structured space where students can engage with real-world economic thinking, data analysis and discussion outside the classroom. More importantly, this led to find peers and friends with similar interests.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Nehru: Honestly, I cannot name just one Lerner professor or staff member because there are many who have each shaped my UD experience in meaningful ways.
For example, Dr. Elizabeth Bailey, my advisor, has been instrumental in helping me navigate course selections and stay on track academically while also thinking more intentionally about my long-term goals. Dr. Siyan Wang, my thesis advisor, has provided invaluable guidance in strengthening my research skills and pushing me to think more rigorously as an economist. Early in my undergraduate years, Dr. Thomas Bridges sparked my interest in research and also gave me a platform to grow as a leader through the tutoring program. Finally, Dr. Kathryn Bender has been an incredible mentor and advisor to my club, is on my honors thesis committee as my second reader and also gave me the opportunity to serve as a TA, which has further strengthened my confidence and teaching abilities.
Each of them has contributed in their own unique way, and together they have played a major role in shaping both my academic path and my growth at UD.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Nehru: Being a “Lifelong Lerner” means being resilient and making the best out of every opportunity, even when things are uncertain or challenging. For me, it also means not limiting learning to academics alone, but embracing the lessons that come from leadership roles, collaboration, setbacks and new environments. As an international student who had to adapt to a completely new country and academic system, I have come to see learning as something constant and evolving. Being a Lifelong Lerner is about carrying that mindset forward.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming students to make the most out of their college experience?
Nehru: If something is scary and feels out of your comfort zone, you are in the right room. Find those who are curious and willing to grow alongside you, because having the right people around you makes even the most intimidating experiences more manageable.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Nehru: I am going to work as a legal practice assistant for a corporate litigation firm as I prepare to take the LSATs and apply for law schools.