As a member of the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics’ Class of 2021, Anna Perrotta, a finance and accounting double major with a minor in economics from Bloomfield, New Jersey has not had the typical final year or commencement at UD due to the coronavirus pandemic. Perrotta, and her entire class, have shown incredible resilience, maturity and spirit while adjusting to the many unexpected changes that they have encountered.
Perrotta was nominated for this series by UD Communications Specialist Dena Hillison, who said, “As a sophomore, Anna shared her experience as a new member of the Blue Hen Investment Club. Now as a senior, she is the director of operations for the group, achieving the goal she set for herself two years ago.”
In this profile, Perrotta shared her favorite UD memories, how she has changed during her time at UD and her plans following graduation.
Lerner: How do you think you have changed from your first semester at UD to now?
Perrotta: I think my time at UD has allowed me to become more myself than I’ve ever been. Reflecting on which campus organizations I gravitated towards has shown me what I value and who I want to surround myself with. As a freshman, I was told to have a balanced resume so I followed along with that idea. In the end, it didn’t just help my resume but also made me a more well-rounded person. It’s something that has helped me in more ways than one but, most importantly, it has given me a newfound self-confidence.
Lerner: What is your favorite place at UD?
Perrotta: My favorite place to be at UD is the Newark Reservoir. Whether my friends and I are walking around the Reservoir, having a sushi lunch date or painting the sunset, it’s always a beautiful scene and provides some much-needed relaxation.
Lerner: What is the most memorable course that you took at Lerner?
Perrotta: One of the most memorable classes I took was Audit with Professor Vermeer. His attitude and humor make this course so enjoyable, even when the material gets tough. He’s been an amazing mentor, teaching us not only to be great accountants but great people. I also really appreciate the support he’s provided with my CPA exam preparation.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience?
Perrotta: I fell in love with UD when I started getting involved. Joining Alpha Kappa Psi and the Blue Hen Investment Club placed me among some of the most driven students on campus. These two organizations made my college experience completely exceed my expectations and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of both groups. I’ve learned so many valuable skills and met my forever friends along the way.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Perrotta: When I think of being a “Lifelong Lerner”, I think of never forgetting where you came from. You can take the person out of UD, but you can’t take UD out of the person. Lerner, and specifically Professor Gillespie and Professor Vermeer, have given me everything I needed to succeed. For the amount of guidance and wisdom they’ve provided, the least I can do is remain connected to Lerner and its current students as an active alumna.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Perrotta: I’ll be working as a Tax Consultant for Deloitte in New York City. I’ll also be taking the next year to complete the CPA exams.