A native of Syracuse, N.Y., Ryan Robison graduated from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics with an MBA in strategic leadership. Robison was nominated for this series by Academic Program Manager Andrea Hartman. In this profile, Robison shares his favorite UD memories, challenges he has overcome and his plans following graduation.
Lerner: How do you think you have changed from your first semester at UD to now?
Robison: UD changed my life in ways I never could have predicted. While at UD, I’ve made some lifelong friendships and memories that will stay with me forever. I’ve also learned how to navigate challenges on my own, push through difficult moments and come out stronger on the other side. Without all the teachers and friends I’ve met at UD, I wouldn’t be who I am today.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Robison: I think the biggest challenge I faced at UD was meeting people, because I came to the University of Delaware not knowing anyone. I overcame this by joining clubs such as ultimate frisbee, where I was able to make a lot of friends. I also put myself out there and tried to meet as many people on the Harrington Turf as I could. Finally, my roommate and I would invite a lot of people to hang out and build long-lasting relationships with the awesome people I met at Delaware.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Robison: Studying abroad in Portugal was my favorite experience because I got to meet a lot of really cool people and see what the world has to offer. My favorite memory from this trip was being able to see Christian Pulisic play live for AC Milan during a weekend trip to Italy.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Robison: Professor John Stocker had a huge impact on my MBA experience. He opened my eyes to how the world works from a financial standpoint and taught us a ton of useful, real-world skills that I can use in my future career. He also checked in each week to see how my job search was going because he genuinely cared about the success of each student.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Robison: To me, being a “Lifelong Lerner” means continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and never giving up, no matter how hard it gets. During my time at UD, I’ve learned that you have to continuously evolve and adapt as new technologies and advancements are made, but in the end, everything will turn out okay as long as you put in the effort.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming students to make the most out of their college experience?
Robison: My advice would be to take chances and put yourself out there. While at UD, I’ve made my best memories by joining a club for something I knew nothing about, going to an event last minute because it sounded cool or starting conversations with people I wouldn’t normally talk to.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Robison: I will be an engineer in the Naval Acquisition Development Program for NAVSEA in Washington, D.C.