A native of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, Sanika Nawathe graduated from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics as an operations management, business analytics and management information systems triple major.
Nawathe was nominated for this series by Professor of Marketing Julia Bayuk, Senior Instructor of Operations Management Susan Murphy, Assistant Professor of Operations Management Caroline Swift, Assistant Professor of Accounting and Management Information Systems Jared Sharpe, and Assistant Director of Lerner Career Services Minda Watson. Murphy said, “Sanika is a stellar student and has demonstrated maturity, intellectual curiosity, and dedication to helping other students succeed. She is a high performer and always demonstrates a thorough commitment to her academic work.”
In this profile, Nawathe 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?
Nawathe: I came into UD planning on transferring out. I didn’t think I would enjoy it here and was pretty skeptical about it. I quickly became super involved in different organizations across campus such as Women in Business, D Sharps, Lerner Ambassadors, and began teaching spin classes at Little Bob. Since my first semester, I have become much more confident and sure of myself. I wasn’t ready for a big change, but after getting involved in organizations across campus and being open to trying new things, I stepped out of my comfort zone and became someone who challenged myself to do and achieve more.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Nawathe: My freshman year was challenging because it was online due to COVID-19. During a time when you are supposed to be experiencing living on your own and making new friends, it was hard being isolated. I tried to overcome this by joining clubs and becoming friends with the people in my classes to make connections.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Nawathe: I studied abroad in Australia in Winter 2023, which was incredibly special to me since it was the 100 year anniversary of study abroad at UD. I got to do so many cool things like explore Sydney and Adelaide, climb the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and go to the beach almost every day after class meetings.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience? If so, who and how?
Nawathe: I have had so many great professors and have gotten to work with amazing faculty members, but Professor Caroline Swift has definitely had the biggest impact on my college career. I worked with her on research for two years and completed a senior thesis under her guidance, and I have also had her for two classes (BUAD446 and BUAD447). Her support and mentorship have been so valuable for me, and I would not have tried to get involved in research if not for her. Susan Murphy and Edward Hartono have also been two other great professors that I have had early on in college. Professor Murphy encouraged me to become an operations management major and Professor Hartono encouraged me to add MIS and business analytics. Professor Hartono has also been a great academic advisor in addition to the classes I have taken with him.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Nawathe: Being a “Lifelong Lerner” means using everything I have learned during my time in Lerner and that I will always have a community of people to count on. I have had so many amazing learning opportunities during these past few years that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Years from now, I know that I will be able to reach out to my past professors, friends I have made through Lerner, and other alumni.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming freshmen to make the most out of their college experience?
Nawathe: My biggest pieces of advice are to not be afraid to get involved and to do things alone, and to go to office hours and events. It’s hard to get out of your shell but I have met some of my closest friends through organizations that I pushed myself to join, even when I didn’t know anyone. Office hours are great to get help in your classes, but they are also a great way to get to know your professors. Lerner events such as the career fairs, networking events, and development opportunities can get you out of your comfort zone and may even lead to great opportunities in the future.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Nawathe: I will be working full time at JP Morgan Chase in Delaware in the Corporate Analyst Development Program, which goes through rotations in project management, process improvement, and data analytics. In the future I hope to continue learning and eventually go to graduate school and get my MBA.