A native of Hockessin, Del., Michael Sullivan graduated from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics as a business analytics and finance double major.
Sullivan was nominated for this series by Assistant Professor of MIS Edward Hartono. In this profile, Sullivan shares his favorite UD experience, 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?
Sullivan: I’ve changed so much since I first stepped onto campus four years ago. When I arrived, I was driven and ambitious, but if I’m being honest, a lot of that motivation was rooted in my own success, and I thought I could do everything by myself. I knew I loved business and the stock market, but beyond that I had no real direction. Fast forward to today, and that drive is still very much there, but it’s pointed in a completely different direction. Founding the Delaware Consulting Club and mentoring members in the Blue Hen Investment Club taught me that the most rewarding work happens when you’re lifting others up, not just climbing on your own. I’ve discovered a genuine passion for analytics and problem-solving, and I’ve learned firsthand how powerful mentorship, teamwork and collaboration can be. I’ve also grown into someone who is genuinely energized by the people around me, and that might be the biggest change of all.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Sullivan: Two challenges really stand out when I look back on my college experience. The first was the internship search, which was honestly one of the most intimidating and drawn-out processes I went through. There were a lot of moments where it felt like the effort wasn’t paying off, but my dad always told me, “You can either work hard now or work harder later,” and that mindset kept me going. I learned to put the work in early, so I wasn’t scrambling to play catch up, and that discipline carried over into so many other areas of my life. The second challenge was learning how to manage my time and balance everything on my plate. I stretched myself too thin and started giving everything a poor effort rather than giving a few things my best effort. That experience taught me that your mental wellbeing is paramount because it truly impacts everything you do. Once I started prioritizing myself and being more intentional with my time, the quality of my work and my overall happiness improved dramatically.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Sullivan: Without a doubt, my answer is study abroad. I was lucky enough to go on five trips during my time at UD, visiting Italy, New Zealand, Belgium, Chile and Australia, and it was easily the most life-changing part of my college experience. I’ll be honest, before each trip I was intimidated about heading to a new country with classmates I had never met before, but every single time without fail, those random people became some of my best friends by the end of it. My first trip was the one that really set the tone because it taught me something I now carry with me every day: life is defined by its unique moments, not the routine ones. Nobody looks back and remembers the days that went exactly according to plan. The moments that stick with you are the highs and the lows, and once I realized that, I stopped dreading the hard days and started feeling grateful for them because they meant I was doing something worth remembering. That mindset has translated into every other aspect of my life. Along the way I had more laughs than I can count and made friendships I’ll always value. I also have to give a special shoutout to professors Nick Waller and Brian Miller from my Australia trip, who further shaped my perspective on life and were absolutely hilarious.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Sullivan: I want to thank all the professors and staff at Lerner who have helped me along the way, and a special thanks to these three. Professor Atwater had a huge impact on me starting in my very first semester. His Honors Colloquium on confidence and decision-making challenged the way I thought about everything. He made me a better writer, taught me to dig for patterns and deeper insights, and really planted the seed for my love of analytics. On top of that, he continued to check in on me long after the class was over, and that kind of genuine care says everything about who he is. Professor Coughenour brought an energy and passion to FINC 314 and his role as our Blue Hen Investment Club faculty advisor that was impossible not to feed off. He taught me that if you want other people to care about something, you have to show them that you care about it first. He’s also incredibly supportive and one of the funniest people I know, so there are a lot of great memories there. Beyond being a professor and advisor, he became someone I truly looked up to and a person I’ll make sure to stay connected with long after graduation. And then there’s Professor Campbell, who I never had in the classroom but got to know as my boss in the Geltzeiler Trading Center. He’s a fantastic person, always someone I could go to for advice, and his humor and perspective on life after graduation have stuck with me.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Sullivan: To me, being a Lifelong Lerner means never losing the curiosity and excitement that made my time here so special. One of the biggest things I’ve taken away from college is a sincere humility that came from working alongside so many incredible people. I’ve learned that everyone has something to teach you if you’re willing to listen, and I want to carry that mindset with me for the rest of my life. It also means continuing to put myself in situations that challenge me and push me outside of my comfort zone because that’s where the real growth happens. It means to never stop learning, and to never stop being excited about it.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming students to make the most out of their college experience?
Sullivan: My biggest piece of advice is to find ways to stand out. There are a lot of students here at UD, not to mention across the country and the world, all competing for a limited number of opportunities, and just going to class and getting good grades isn’t enough. Honestly, just being a member in a club isn’t either. Find something you’re genuinely passionate about and do something cool with it, whether that’s starting a club, building an app, launching a business, or whatever excites you. You also can’t do it alone, so surround yourself with great people because great things happen when you’re around great people. Approach every person you meet with the mindset that you can learn something from them, and you’ll be amazed at how much you grow. Most importantly, have fun. Talk to new people, try new things and learn to love change while you’re still here because once you graduate, everything is going to change. I believe that finding that balance between school and life is one of the most important skills you should build during your time at UD.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Sullivan: I’m excited to be heading to Capital One as a business analyst in its Analyst Development Program down in the Washington D.C.. I had an incredible experience interning there last summer, and I can’t wait to get started and see where it takes me.