A native of Teaneck, N.J., Gabrielle Swaine graduated from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics as an economics major with a public policy minor.
Swaine was nominated for this series by Associate Professor of Economics Liz Bayley who said, “Gabi is an enthusiastic economics student! She has completed her degree studying abroad in New Zealand and Rome as a World Scholar in three years. Her recruiting efforts as a tour guide and leadership in the Women in Economics student group have been excellent.”
In this profile, Swaine 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?
Swaine: Starting at UD, I approached college with a more structured, cautious mindset. I focused on meeting expectations by doing well in my classes. It took a while to get involved with things on campus outside of my coursework.
Since then, I’ve become much more proactive and self-directed. Through experiences such as studying abroad, engaging with new academic ideas and taking on opportunities outside the classroom, I’ve developed a clearer sense of what I want, both academically and professionally.
Overall, my biggest change has been shifting from simply navigating college to intentionally shaping my experience. I’m more reflective, more independent and more focused on creating meaningful opportunities that align with my goals.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Swaine: One of the biggest challenges I faced during my time at the University of Delaware was managing competing academic and personal responsibilities. At first, I struggled with time management and balancing coursework, extracurriculars and study abroad opportunities. I overcame this by becoming more intentional with my schedule, prioritizing tasks based on long-term goals and developing stronger organizational habits. Over time, this helped me become more disciplined, adaptable and confident in handling new challenges.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Swaine: Definitely studying abroad! As part of the World Scholars Program, I studied abroad twice, first in Auckland, New Zealand and then in Rome, Italy. My second study abroad in Rome was such a life-changing experience, and I got to take upper-level economics classes while being there.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Swaine: Professor Soares had a significant impact on my experience at the University of Delaware. I took Introduction to Microeconomics with him, and his teaching sparked my interest in the field and ultimately led me to major in economics. Beyond the classroom, he served as the advisor for Women in Economics, where I took on leadership roles and grew professionally. Overall, he consistently pushed me to challenge myself and strive for success.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Swaine: To me, being a “Lifelong Lerner” means continuing to seek out knowledge and growth beyond the classroom, even after my time at the University of Delaware. It’s about staying curious, being open to new perspectives and actively applying what I learn to real-world situations. Ultimately, it means viewing learning as an ongoing process rather than something that ends with a degree.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming students to make the most out of their college experience?
Swaine: Try everything! Sign up for every club email list and take random classes you may think are interesting. Do something fun in your very limited free time. And surround yourself with friends who both push you academically and push you to make the most of your time here at UD.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Swaine: After graduation, I will be getting a master’s in analytical political economy from Duke! Post-graduate school, I hope to work in the public sector as an economist or policy analyst.