A native of Ng’arua, Laikipia, Kenya, Lucy Muriithi graduated from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics with her MBA in business analytics and information management.
Muriithi was nominated for this series by Academic Program Coordinator Sarah Dix. In this profile, Muriithi 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?
Muriithi: I arrived at UD from a different career field making a deliberate pivot into data and analytics. In my first semester I was technically capable in some areas but had significant gaps in the tools that define the field today. By the time I graduate, I have built real technical competency in data analytics and business intelligence tools that were entirely new to me before this program. Beyond the technical growth, I have changed in my capacity to operate under sustained uncertainty. Being a graduate student in a new country, while managing different aspects of life simultaneously, teaches you a different kind of resilience. I am leaving UD more confident, more precise and far more equipped than the person who arrived.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Muriithi: One of the most significant challenges I faced was navigating life as an international student. Adjusting to a new culture while keeping up with a rigorous academic program is not something you can fully prepare for in advance. There were moments of isolation, unfamiliarity and uncertainty that came with being far from home. On top of that, breaking into a competitive job market added another layer of complexity. I overcame these challenges by staying consistent, leaning on my faith and the community I built here at UD and approaching each obstacle as something to work through rather than around. Being intentional about building connections on campus, continuously improving my knowledge through workshops and certifications and refusing to treat any setback as permanent all made a significant difference.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Muriithi: My favorite UD experience was teaching first-year students in Fall 2025. It was not a typical graduate student experience, and it was more challenging than I anticipated. Learning to hold a classroom, give feedback that actually helped students and show up consistently for people who were navigating their own adjustments to college life pushed me in ways that coursework alone could not. That experience gave me a clearer picture of what I am capable of under pressure, and it is something I will carry long after graduation.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Muriithi: Sarah Dix has had a meaningful impact on my experience at Lerner. As the academic program coordinator for BAIM, she has been a consistent point of support and connection throughout my time in the program. More broadly, the faculty at Lerner have played a significant role in shaping my growth here. The willingness of professors to engage with students beyond the classroom, to challenge our thinking and invest in our development, is something I will carry with me.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Muriithi: To me, being a Lifelong Lerner means staying genuinely curious about the world long after the degree is framed on the wall. I came to UD from a career in diplomacy, crossed an ocean to retrain in a technical field, and spent two years rebuilding my professional foundation from the ground up. That willingness to start over, to learn without the comfort of already being good at something, is what I want to carry forward. It also means giving back. I benefited from people who invested time in me here, and I intend to do the same for others who are navigating difficult transitions of their own.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming students to make the most out of their college experience?
Muriithi: Take your discomfort seriously but do not let it stop you. The moments that feel hardest, the assignment you doubt you can finish, the class where everyone else seems to already know the material, are often the ones that teach you the most about yourself. Also, do not underestimate the value of the people around you. The relationships you build at UD, with classmates, staff and faculty, are part of the education. Invest in them.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Muriithi: I am open to the opportunities that come next and ready to embrace whatever path unfolds. UD has equipped me with the skills, the mindset, and the confidence to step into the next chapter, and I am excited to see where that takes me.