A native of Kenya, Silvia Atelo Okwach is graduating from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics with a master’s of science in business analytics and information management.
Okwach was nominated for this series by Academic Program Coordinator Sarah Dix, who said, “Silvia is larger than life and an amazing student.”
In this profile, Silvia shared 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?
Okwach: When I think back to my first day at UD, I remember how everything felt big – the campus, the expectations, the silence in unfamiliar rooms. I had come from a world I knew so well into a world that felt like it was going to swallow me up. I came with hope, yes – but also a quiet fear. Would I find my footing? Would my voice matter here? And yet, here I am. Somewhere along the way, something shifted. I started to grow, not all at once, but in pieces. In the late nights when I was not sure of a lot. In the hard conversations where I had to advocate for myself. In the group projects where I learned the power of listening and leading. I grew by learning – but just as much by unlearning. I had to release the idea that I had to have it all figured out. I had to let go of perfection and embrace progress. I had to relearn how to be a beginner again – with curiosity, not shame. More than tools or titles, UD has given me space to find my rhythm – to rediscover the kind of leader I want to be: one who serves, uplifts, and dares to dream boldly. I’ve learned that growth doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it whispers. Sometimes it breaks you open to rebuild you stronger. And I am grateful. Deeply, humbly, and truly for every person, every moment, every challenge that helped shape who I’m becoming.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Okwach: I was not really prepared for how isolating this journey could feel at times. One of my biggest challenges wasn’t just the coursework or the deadlines – it was the internal journey. Leaving behind the familiar – home, language, food, rhythms – and stepping into a space where I had to rebuild everything: community, confidence, even the way I saw myself.
There were days I felt invisible in rooms full of brilliance. Times I questioned whether I belonged. The pressure to prove myself – as an international student, as a woman in analytics, as someone with a non-technical background, all these were overwhelming. I often felt like I was catching up in a race that had started long before I arrived. But what saved me was choosing to allow my heart to lead me even when it felt vulnerable. I found strength in small victories: a professor’s kind word, a successful presentation, a completed assignment, the first time I helped a peer through code they didn’t understand. I learned to ask for help, to show up even when I felt unsure, to let faith fill the gaps when I was scared senseless. I held my purpose close like a comforting blanket. Every challenge reminded me why I’m here: to make data meaningful, to serve with integrity, to bring others along. It hasn’t been easy. But it’s been worth it. And I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Okwach: One of my favorite experiences at UD has been working as a graduate assistant with the First Year Seminar (FYS) program. An opportunity that allowed me to interact with both peer mentors and first-year students, guiding them through one of the most transformative seasons of their college journey. In helping them find their voice, I found mine too. Each class became a space of growth, reflection, and honest conversations. I watched students evolve from unsure and quiet to confident and engaged, and in those moments I was reminded of my own journey. I learned that leadership isn’t about being the loudest – it’s about being present, helping others along, seeing others, listening deeply, and creating space for others to grow. FYS taught me to lead with empathy, to see – really see people, and to serve with heart. It was more than a role – it was a chance to give back, to pay it forward and to build others up. It’s an experience I will carry with me long after graduation. I am deeply grateful to Meghan Biery.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Okwach: Yes, three incredible women at Lerner have been amazing lighthouses on my journey: Dr. Andrea Everard, Sarah Dix, and Libby Cusack. Dr. Andrea Everard believed in me before I found the courage to believe in myself. She checked in, had honest conversations with me, and gently but firmly pushed me to grow. The two most important lessons I will carry from college came from her: to always raise your hand, to know what you don’t know and that it is okay not to know everything. She emphasized to me the importance of my story and taught me how to: Own it. Share it. Lead with it. Sarah Dix has been a quiet constant, someone who has seen me, affirmed me, and reminded me to hold onto the parts of myself that matter most. She has held space for me to grow and extended grace as it happened . Her presence has been both grounding and empowering. And Libby Cusack – she has been more than a friend. She has shown up for me in moments big and small: calling, checking in, offering encouragement, laughter, and care. Her kindness has been a lifeline and a reminder that connection is one of the greatest gifts. Each of these women helped me become who I am today. For their guidance, their belief, their unwavering support and showing me how – I am deeply, deeply grateful.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Okwach: To me, being a Lifelong Lerner means never assuming you’ve arrived, but always remaining curious, humble, and open. It’s about embracing growth not just as a phase, but as a mindset that follows you long after you’ve left the classroom. It means aiming for better in everything you do. It means asking better questions (the ‘why’ questions), listening more deeply, and choosing to lead with both data and heart. The knowledge that learning happens in every space be it boardrooms, in setbacks, in hallway conversations, or moments of doubt that push you to stretch. Being a Lifelong Lerner is also about giving back, taking everything you have received and using it for others. It means staying rooted in purpose, even as your path evolves.
At its core, it’s a promise: to keep showing up, to keep growing, and to keep learning – for yourself, and for the world you hope to impact.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming freshmen to make the most out of their college experience?
Okwach: Be open – to people, to ideas, to growth you didn’t plan for. College is less about having all the answers and more about learning how to ask the right questions. Don’t be afraid to start over, to change directions as many times as you need to, or to admit when you don’t know. That’s where real learning begins. Secondly, find your people – the ones who see you, challenge you, and walk with you. Lean into the community, because college isn’t meant to be done alone. Get involved, take up space, and raise your hand even when your voice shakes, especially when your voice shakes. Most importantly, don’t lose yourself trying to become what you think you should be. You already carry something valuable. You have your story, your purpose and your heart. Own it. Let that be the lens through which you lead, learn, and live. You don’t have to do everything. But whatever you choose to do, do it with intention. That’s how you make it count.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Okwach: Following graduation, my deepest desire is to build a career that allows me to help others, create lasting impact, and give back especially to communities like the one I come from. I’m passionate about using data not just to analyze what is, but to imagine what could be. To build solutions for years to come. I want to contribute to policies and strategies that are grounded in evidence, shaped by compassion, and designed to serve. Whether it’s through consulting, strategy, or global development work, I’m committed to using my skills to drive change that matters whether its in education, healthcare, public service, and beyond. I’ve seen firsthand how when data is collected thoughtfully and used responsibly it can transform lives. And I want to be part of that transformation. This next chapter is not just about building a career – it’s about fulfilling a calling: to use what I’ve learned to uplift others, to amplify stories that go unheard, and to build systems that work better because they are built with people in mind. Whatever path I take, it will be one rooted in purpose, guided by faith, and driven by a lifelong commitment to service.