As a member of the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics’ Class of 2022, Sarah Mailloux, an MBA entrepreneurship and innovation graduate from Torrington, Connecticut, has not had the typical student experience at UD due to the coronavirus pandemic. Mailloux, and her entire class, have shown incredible resilience, maturity and spirit while adjusting to the many unexpected changes that they have encountered as students. Each installment of this series will profile an outstanding member of this class, showcasing their achievements, experiences at UD and what it means to be a Blue Hen.
Mailloux was nominated for this series by UD Academic Program Coordinator Andrea Hartman, who said, “She is an excellent student, highly motivated and success driven.”
In this profile, Mailloux shared her favorite UD memories, how she has changed during her time at UD and her plans following graduation.
Lerner: How have you grown from your first year at UD to now?
Mailloux: The classes I have taken throughout my time at UD have made me a stronger, more insightful leader in the workforce. The experiences and relationships that the MBA program has provided me have been pivotal in my current career successes. From the classwork, to presentations, networking and mentorship: I am proud to be a UD Lerner alumna.
Lerner: Were you involved in any extracurricular activities? If so, how did they shape your experience at UD?
Mailloux: I was involved in the Lerner Executive Mentoring Program which was immensely helpful as I continued to define my career path. Having a mentor with years of experience in my industry to bounce ideas off of, review my resume and practice interview questions will continue to prepare me for success outside of the classroom.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Mailloux: Being a Lifelong Lerner means more than just singing the praises of an All-Star MBA program. My resume actually says “Lifelong Lerner” on it as part of my defining personality. I have a passion for education, for learning more about business, more about people and more about myself. Being a Lifelong Lerner is a commitment to curiosity and continuous improvement. To be better tomorrow than I am today.
Lerner: What was the most memorable course that you took at Lerner?
Mailloux: The most memorable course at UD was Positive Leadership Theory. As an Associate Director who oversees 150+ staff for a statewide network, strategic leadership and organizational behavior have always been some of my favorite classes. Positive Leadership Theory absolutely engaged me. Reinforcing concepts I had independently determined were necessary in the workforce and providing me with insights and tools to use with my team to build a strong and dedicated team built on transparency, honesty and a positive culture.
Lerner: What was your favorite UD experience?
Mailloux: My favorite experience at UD was actually during my undergraduate program – being in the UD marching band! During my MBA program – I most enjoyed connecting with others in the program – learning about others and how they ended up in the MBA program from all different walks of life. The knowledge shared by peers in the program is an excellent and necessary portion of the program that enables us to be true Lifelong Lerners.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Mailloux: I was recently promoted to be the Associate State Director for the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center network. I am happy to use the strategic leadership skills I learned in the MBA program to better lead a statewide workforce and build a cohesive and