A native of Gaithersburg, Maryland, Grace Harvey graduated from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics as an economics major. Harvey was also a member of the UD women’s soccer team.
Harvey was nominated for this series by Assistant Professor of Economics Kathryn Bender and Assistant Professor of Management Sal Mistry, who said, “Grace was an inspiring student in my BUAD 309 in 2022, and her performance was outstanding in every aspect—individual assignments, group projects, exams, and the final paper and presentation. Despite juggling numerous activities and assignments as a busy athlete, her dedication and commitment were remarkable. Grace doesn’t do things halfway; she wholeheartedly applies herself and perseveres until she achieves her goals. She not only deserves recognition but also serves as an exemplary role model for other athletes. Her story deserves extensive coverage to inspire others.”
Bender said, “I had Grace in Econ306, which is one of the most challenging courses in the econ major. For her term project, she researched criminal behavior among youth who had been in foster care. This was a challenging topic to find an available dataset to use, but with hard work and persistence, she succeeded. Her analysis was excellent and the paper clear, concise, and well-written. She joined the workshop series Data Enchanted as a Data Mentor this spring and has excelled in the lab guiding her peers as they learn how to work with data. In addition, she helped design and lead one of the workshops.”
In this profile, Harvey shares 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?
Harvey: Since my first semester at Delaware, I have learned hard skills such as the use of Stata for data analytics. More importantly, I have become more well-rounded as a student-athlete, shifting my focus to academics, especially in my last year of study. I have made connections with peers and faculty who have given me insight into various professional opportunities.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Harvey: My biggest challenge was committing to an area of study as a student who has a broad range of interests. Additionally, maintaining a high GPA through competition in soccer which required missing instruction and exams for travel.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Harvey: My favorite UD experience was bonding with teammates and being part of the larger community of varsity student-athletes. Equally enjoyable to playing in my own games was watching my peers compete on their own.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Harvey: Sal Mistry had a big impact on my UD experience because I was able to build a genuine connection with him. His course included a simulation where each group managed a tech company, giving insight into business finances, technological innovation, and managing employees. This meaningful curriculum paired with a professor who encouraged learning and demonstrated unwavering support made this a remarkable learning experience for me.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Harvey: Being a Lifelong Lerner is a mantra for continuous improvement, learning, and connections. After graduating from the Lerner College of Business and Economics, I feel that my appetite for growth has increased tremendously. Challenging myself academically has become empowering instead of overwhelming.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming freshmen to make the most out of their college experience?
Harvey: Make connections! I constantly worried if I was on the right path and in the most fitting area of study, just to realize that it was the people that I would meet along the way that would impact my future the most. The faculty and staff here are all rooting for you and are more than willing to meet you halfway as long as you demonstrate effort and an appetite for learning.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Harvey: My first professional role will be in sales. After gaining experience in marketing, sales, and client account management, I hope to start a business of my own! I also have ambitions of investing in real estate properties in the city where I decide to start a family.