A native of Roxbury, New Jersey, Sarah Attieh graduated from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics as a hospitality industry management major with double minors in event management and professional selling and sales management.
Attieh was nominated for this series by UD Assistant Professor of Marketing Suresh Sundaram.
Sundaram said, “Sarah is an excellent student with 4.0 GPA. She has been the exemplary student and will also be receiving the Sales Student of the Year award this year. She is an amazing ambassador of UD, Lerner, and more specifically of the PSSM minor!”
In this profile Attieh shares her favorite UD memories, advice for younger students, and her future plans.
Lerner: How do you think you have changed from your first semester at UD to now?
Attieh: I feel that I have grown immeasurably over my time at UD. Coming in as a 2020 high school graduate, never having had the opportunity to officially tour the campus due to the pandemic, I was nervous about what the future would hold. I knew I wanted to major in hospitality, but like many of my peers, I didn’t know what the industry would turn into after COVID. Moreover, I was the first woman in my family to move out-of-state for college. I was fielding through a lot of uncharted territory. I am very proud of the young lady that started out here almost four years ago. A week after coming to campus in Spring 2021, I made three of my best friends, and we have been inseparable since. They, as well as my peers and professors, have taught me more than I could have hoped for since that first semester on Zoom. I have grown more confident in my ability to grow into new opportunities, and I have deepened my sense of optimism for what the future holds. I’m very grateful for the experience I have had here.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Attieh: The Class of 2024 started its freshman year during the height of COVID-19. It’s crazy to think that was four years ago, because it impacted such a significant portion of my time at UD. It was challenging to navigate building relationships with classmates and professors over Zoom. I wanted to take advantage of everything UD had to offer when I came to campus, but much of it was put on hold. There were also times where I struggled with managing a work-life balance, which I think many students can relate to. It took some time to figure out the right flow, but it’s more than possible to have a fun college experience while also maintaining personal expectations for academics, RSO involvement, and Greek life. It’s all about surrounding yourself with people that make you happy, building the right habits, and having a positive mindset.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Attieh: While it’s difficult to pick just one, my favorite signature UD experience was the Honors Study Abroad trip to Italy in Winter 2024. Having the opportunity to study abroad was such a privilege. It happened towards the very end of my college career, and it was a transformative experience. I didn’t know anyone on the trip very well before going into it, but I left with such an amazing group of friends. We explored what felt like every corner of every major Italian city, from Rome, to Florence, to Venice, to Milan and beyond. Due to the constraints of my general courseload, I had not had the chance to take many classes in the fine arts, which was something I had always hoped to do at the university level. In Italy, we studied philosophy, religion, and Italian art, all while eating the best Italian cuisine and exploring ancient landmarks. It was truly a dream come true. I would recommend studying abroad to anyone who might be considering it. I learned so much about myself and the world when I came out of my bubble, and I intend on traveling more in the future.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Attieh: I had several amazing Lerner professors and staff members that made a remarkable impact on my college career. The dedication and heart of UD’s hospitality faculty made my experience worth bragging about. Dr. Sheryl Kline was profoundly influential from the start. I took her Introduction to Hospitality class over Zoom in Fall 2021. Despite being in my childhood bedroom due to a pandemic that was devastating the hospitality industry, it was her class that reinforced my sense of hope for the future. I got my first internship through her class, and I was personally introduced to the recruiter for my second internship with USHG by her as well. Phil Pyle continued to re-inspire my love for learning with each of his four classes that I took. The first of which was Executive Presentations, which I look back on as one of the most important classes of my college experience due to the way it pushed me out of my comfort zone with public speaking. Suresh Sundaram introduced me to the art of personal selling and mentored me as a sophomore, when I placed as a finalist in the Lerner Sales Competition. Moreover, Erin Proud, Nicholas Waller, Lacey Leatherwood, and Chef Alison Rainis have all provided me with invaluable insight and practical, hands-on learning that I am so thankful for as I prepare to transition into the industry.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Attieh: While I am leaving UD with more knowledge and skills than I came in with, the learning has only just begun. To me, being a “Lifelong Lerner” means making continuous education a priority in every upcoming phase of life. It means taking every experience as a growth opportunity. I intend on asking questions, engaging in constructive conversation, and continuing to evolve as a student of the world with the strong foundation developed here at Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming freshmen to make the most out of their college experience?
Attieh: I would encourage each incoming freshman to be a sponge. There are so many resources and opportunities to take advantage of here at UD, especially through Lerner. I found that students, including myself, don’t fully realize this potential until later in college. Go to see guest speakers – maybe even introduce yourself to them. Ask questions in class. Join RSOs. If something piques your interest, don’t be afraid to give it a go. College is the perfect environment to try new things and maybe even fail at them. That’s the beauty of this time of life.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Attieh: Post-graduation, I plan on returning to North Jersey as a meeting and event coordinator for the luxury resort, Pendry Natirar. In the more distant future, I hope to relocate to New York City as an event professional.