A native of West Chester, Pa., Leah Walter is graduating from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics as an honors finance and economics double major.
Walter was nominated for this series by Associate Director, Undergraduate Recruitment Jenifer Laird, Associate Professor of Finance Jay Coughenour, Professor of Economics, Chairperson Adrienne Lucas, and Assistant Professor of Economics, Associate Chair – Undergraduate Programs Elizabeth Bayley.
In this profile, Walter 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?
Walter: My freshman year self would be proud of the woman I’ve become thanks to my time at UD. Since I arrived on campus, I’ve grown academically, personally, and as a leader. I feel confident to take on life post-graduation and dive into my career with all of the hard and soft skills I’ve accumulated over the past four years.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Walter: When I first arrived on campus as a freshman in the fall of 2021, we were still navigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and there were still some restrictions in place throughout my freshman year to ensure everyone’s safety. This was a challenge at times, but we all persevered, and I still managed to make close friendships right away. Another challenge I faced during my time at UD was balancing multiple extracurriculars with my academics. To navigate this challenge, I relied on tools like planning out my days in my calendar to ensure I allocate time to complete my homework, attend club meetings, exercise, and hang out with friends.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Walter: My favorite UD experience was being part of the Blue Hen Investment Club (BHIC) throughout my four years of college. BHIC is a student-led investment fund that manages around $5 million of the UD endowment. I’m very fortunate to have been a member of this club because it’s rare to find a university that lets students manage real money by buying and selling stocks. I have learned so much from my involvement in BHIC, and I’ve built great friendships with other club members. I was the President of BHIC for the year of 2024, which developed my leadership skills to an extent I hadn’t experienced from any other involvement thus far.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Walter: All of the Lerner professors I’ve interacted with have supported my educational journey over the years, and I would certainly not be where I am today without them. I would like to thank Dr. Liz Bayley, Dr. Adrienne Lucas, Ms. Jen Laird, and Dr. Jay Coughenour for nominating me to be highlighted as an outstanding member of the Lerner class of 2025. I’m especially grateful for Professor Coughenour because he has made such a positive impact on my UD experience. Professor Coughenour is the BHIC faculty advisor, and during my time as President, he was my mentor and supporter through any and all challenges. His commitment to the club and his mission to connect with students and help them succeed is inspiring.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Walter: As a “Lifelong Lerner,” I will always cherish the memories I’ve made during my time as a Lerner student. I will keep in touch with the peers and professors who I’ve connected with over the years. To me, being a “Lifelong Lerner” also means that my journey of learning does not end with my UD graduation. I will continue to foster my love of learning as I head out into my career and navigate life post-graduation.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming freshmen to make the most out of their college experience?
Walter: I have four main pieces of advice for incoming freshmen:
1. Get involved. UD has so many registered student organizations (RSOs) and other ways to get involved on campus, so put your name down on many different email lists and narrow it down once you discover what you’re most passionate about. I’ve certainly been involved during my time at UD – I joined the Blue Hen Investment Club, Delta Sigma Pi professional business fraternity, Gamma Phi Beta sorority, the club tennis team and club pickleball team, I was a Lerner Ambassador, and I played intramural sports with my friends. Campus involvement is such a great way to meet new people and build close friendships.
2. Trust your gut. Whether it’s selecting majors and classes or which internship offer to accept, only you truly know what is the best decision for you. That isn’t to say you should not seek advice from others. You should welcome all different opinions and advice, but at the end of the day, you need to listen to your gut instinct. You want to be making the choices in life that will make you happy, so don’t let the noise around you distract you from what you think is the right decision for you.
3. Work hard. People recognize hard work and when you are excelling at something, and you will unlock more opportunities for yourself when you apply yourself fully to everything you do.
4. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy every second of college! These four years go by so fast; it feels like I blinked and all of a sudden I’m doing all of the “lasts” of everything with my best friends as senior spring comes to a close. Invest your time in building connections with people – the people are what make UD such a special place. Make the most of your college experience!
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Walter: Upon graduation, I will begin working at Goldman Sachs in New York City as a private equity analyst in the external investing group within the asset management division. I interned at GS last summer, and I’m very excited to return to the firm full-time. I am looking forward to all of the mentorship, challenges, and growth that is to come from this role.