As a member of the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics’ Class of 2022, Gabriel Castro, a hospitality business management major with minors in economics and spa and wellness management from Old Saybrook, Connecticut, has not had the typical student experience at UD due to the coronavirus pandemic. Castro, 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.
Gabriel Castro was nominated for this series by UD Professor of Hospitality Business Management and Director of Graduate Programs Srikanth Beldona, who said, “Gabe is academically very strong, a role model and active on campus in several activities. One of the best to graduate from hospitality business management.”
In this profile, Castro 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 freshman year at UD to now?
Castro: My experiences at UD have provided me with many leadership opportunities. I then paired my classroom leadership education with those, allowing me to further hone my group leadership skills and effectively manage my priorities.
Lerner: Were you involved in any extracurricular activities? If so, how did they shape your experience at UD?
Castro: I was involved in a number of extracurriculars, most notably as the president of Ychromes, an all-male a cappella group, and as a chairperson of the Club Managers Association of America at UD. These gave me outlets for my hobbies and to keep my life and mental health balanced throughout my time.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Castro: Being a lifelong Lerner means that I have the responsibility to stay in touch with UD and also incoming students. I hope to impact students younger than I in the same way that alumni and professors have guided me.
Lerner: What was the most memorable course that you took at Lerner?
Castro: Vita Nova dinner lab was my most memorable course at UD, hands down. I learned practical restaurant management skills in the front and back of house, enabling me to run any restaurant in the future.
Lerner: What was your favorite UD experience?
Castro: My favorite experience at UD was singing in the various ensembles UD has. There are a number of different ensembles and since music is my main hobby, UD was the right place for me so I could balance my work and extracurricular life.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Castro: I will be working for Marriott International as a Modern Select Brands Operations intern in Alexandria, Virginia. Being in a leadership position at a Residence Inn will allow me to see a full-scale hotel with all the other amenities. This will be an amazing first experience for me and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity