A native of New York City, Michael Incitti is graduating from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics with majors in finance and economics.
Incitti was nominated for this series by Academic Advisor and UDREAM Program Coordinator Stephen Roberts.
In this profile, Incitti shares his favorite UD memories, how he has changed during his time at UD and his plans following graduation.
Lerner: How do you think you have changed from your first semester at UD to now?
Incitti: I have changed a great deal from my first semester. I have learned how to become independent during my time at the University, which my dad calls “life with training wheels.” My time at UD and my experiences in extracurriculars have led me to find a career in the field I love and develop both professionally and personally. My list of contacts, friends, and mentors has expanded larger than I could have imagined.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Incitti: One challenge that I faced was time management. This was one of the first times I was given responsibilities with little to no oversight other than a deadline. Whether it was an exam, a BHIC pitch, or establishing the budget for my fraternity, there were people relying on me to complete my job on time and properly. One thing that helped work through this challenge was remembering that I was not alone in my experience. People had been in my position before and I could lean on them for support. It may be friends in my classes, upperclassmen who had held similar positions, or my parents. Having the support of those around me helped me stay grounded and focused during my time at UD.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Incitti: My favorite “classic” UD experience has to be the Homecoming football game during freshman year. I had only known my dorm friends for a couple of weeks, but we already felt like a tight-knit group. We’d just come back from a night at a friend’s river house and made it back to campus just in time for kickoff. The stadium was packed, the energy was electric, and for the first time, I really felt part of the Blue Hen community. That game wasn’t just about football for me. It was the moment UD started to feel like home.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Incitti: Mr. Stephen Roberts had a lasting impact on me during my time at UD. He was one of the first faculty members I met at Delaware as the advisor I met over my summer before college to help me choose classes for my first semester. I remember he came and talked to my BUAD110 class about a program he had started called UDREAM, a mentorship program meant to help first year students adapt to the changes in college. I joined as a mentee and eventually became a mentor. Our bi-weekly check-ins helped me stay grounded, especially while adjusting to life away from home. I truly don’t think I would have found the same level of success without his guidance and friendship. We still catch up each semester, and one of the most valuable lessons he taught me is that there’s always a way to give back to the community that supports you.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Incitti: Being a “Lifelong Lerner” means remembering Mr. Roberts’s lesson: there’s always a way to give back to the community that supports you. I was very fortunate during my time at Lerner, and there were so many people who helped shape my journey – the alumni who offered career advice, the professors who taught me lessons both inside and outside the classroom, and the peers who became close friends through shared challenges and late-night study sessions.
To me, being a Lifelong Lerner means carrying those experiences forward and staying connected – to the people, the values, and the next generation of Lerner students. It means continuing to learn, grow, and give back, whether by mentoring a student, sharing my story, or simply showing up for the community that gave me so much. It’s about staying engaged and making sure the support I received is passed along to someone else just starting their journey.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Incitti: Post-grad, I will build on my internship experience as a trading analyst at Sunoco LP. I will be moving to Philadelphia with one of my current roommates as well.