A native of Medford, N.J., Maria Montroni-Currais graduated from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics with a master’s in strategic leadership.
Montroni-Currais was nominated for this series by Academic Program Manager Andrea Hartman, who said that she has been putting her coursework to great use by implementing a new business venture for the School Success Center at the University of Delaware.
In this profile, Montroni-Currais 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?
Montroni-Currais: I’ve become so much more observant of the strategic and tactical actions taken by the businesses I engage with, whether they are local, national, or global. I’m more aware of how those actions affect my personal and professional lives.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Montroni-Currais: I always joke that I “studied abroad” for this degree because I did coursework in Bermuda, England, Portugal, Germany and Switzerland. Working full-time, being a mom and wife, and completing a rigorous master’s program meant I had to take my learning along with me.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Montroni-Currais: All my coursework was online, so my favorite experiences were always the first day of class, when I would get to know the diverse backgrounds and experiences of my fellow students. It’s been nice to use social media as a way to keep in touch with my classmates.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Montroni-Currais: I learned the most about myself from Jack Baroudi’s classes on emotional intelligence, but I learned the most about dealing with others from Dustin Sleesman’s course on negotiation and conflict resolution.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Montroni-Currais: Being a “Lifelong Lerner” means approaching each challenge with curiosity instead of judgement. It means not being afraid to explore issues from multiple angles, even the uncomfortable ones.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming students to make the most out of their college experience?
Montroni-Currais: For folks pursuing an online degree like I did, leverage social media to make connections with classmates and professors. It can be lonely in an online program, but finding even a small way to connect can help a lot.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Montroni-Currais: I’m planning to continue my work here at UD in the School Success Center. I’ve put a lot of my coursework to use already by launching a new business venture for the center. I’m proud of the ability to merge my degrees in communication studies, teaching, school administration and strategic leadership into a career that is uniquely me!