As a member of the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics’ Class of 2022, Dustin Ferretti, an MBA graduate from Nazareth, Pennsylvania, has not had the typical student experience at UD due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ferretti, and his entire class, have shown incredible resilience, maturity and spirit while adjusting to the many unexpected changes that they have encountered as students. Each installment of this series will profile an outstanding member of this class, showcasing their achievements, experiences at UD and what it means to be a Blue Hen.
Ferretti was nominated for this series by UD Academic Program Coordinator Amy Estey, who said, “He completed his degree while also juggling work, school, family, and everything else during a pandemic. The flexibility of the Online MBA made his successful completion possible.””
In this profile, Ferretti shared his favorite UD memories, how he has changed during his time at UD and his plans following graduation.
Lerner: How have you grown from your first year at UD to now?
Ferretti: I graduated with my chemical engineering degree from UD in 2006 and spent 12 years in industry before coming back to UD for my MBA. The experience was much easier the second time around when you are more confident, know how to learn and organize yourself and have the support of your family.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Ferretti: It means being curious, humble and willing to be wrong. The older you get, the harder it becomes to admit what you do not know.
Lerner: What was the most memorable course that you took at Lerner?
Ferretti: Topics in Management and Leadership: Positive Leadership Theory and Practice with Dr. Jack Baroudi. The class changed the way I lead and I routinely use many of the mental and organizational models he reviewed.
Lerner: What was your favorite UD experience?
Ferretti: BUAD673 with Dr. Kyle Emich has two exercises. A murder mystery and a teamwork simulation that drove home the way groups interact and how easy it is to miss important objectives due to communication and shared assumptions.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Ferretti: I have been working on my MBA for over four years, it was worth it and I enjoyed every class, but I do miss my weekends. My family supported me throughout and now I hope to use what I’ve learned to be a more effective leader.