As a member of the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics’ Class of 2023, Sophia LoGatto, global enterprise management major from Niceville, Florida, has demonstrated remarkable dedication and resilience during her time at UD.
LoGatto was nominated for this series by UD Assistant Professor of Finance Howland Redding IV, who said, “Sophia is someone who does not back down from a challenge. She had some tragedies arise but was resilient and never lost focus. She remained positive throughout the semester and seemed to truly enjoy learning about finance. When you meet her, she has such a vibrant, positive personality. Sophia has so much potential to do great things and I expect her to be an excellent ambassador for the University of Delaware in the future.”
In this profile, LoGatto 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?
LoGatto: During my first semester, I definitely was a cautious optimist and worried that I would never have the chance to dive into my college experience (especially as a first-generation college student). I was so nervous about seemingly everything, yet didn’t want this stage of life to pass me by without any active participation on my part. I truly believe that dreams beget realities, so dreaming these big hopes of making memories and doing well for myself made me even more dedicated to executing them. Looking back, I’m thankful for the mindset that I had, as well as the allowance that I gave myself to grow. From then to now, I am definitely more sure of myself and confident in trusting the process.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
LoGatto: My academic trajectory was definitely not the norm; I earned both my Associate in Arts degree and high school diploma in 2020 thanks to the Collegiate High School at Northwest Florida State College. After a gap semester in the Fall of 2020 and a semester at American University in the Spring of 2021, I transferred into UD as a junior who only really had one “actual” semester of college. I knew that I was pressed for time in terms of finding a community, applying for internships, and even understanding the fundamentals of business. With this being said, I leaned into the unknown and put myself out there as much as possible. Unknown circumstances and the “what-if’s” that follow can be a scary thing to face, but stepping into unfamiliarity is the only way to propel life forward. So, I made it a point to introduce myself to every opportunity I could get my hands on (even the ones that I thought were out of my reach)
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
LoGatto: During my first semester here, I rushed Phi Chi Theta – the university’s newest, fastest-growing, co-ed business fraternity. I spent my time as the recruitment chair, and now most recently as the executive vice president. PCT’s chapter at UD is small-scale, which enabled me to both find and create leadership positions in the fraternity. It’s been both great luck and a privilege to meet some of my closest friends through this organization! Aside from PCT being a major part of my college experience, a special part of my daily life at UD is getting to picnic on The Green with friends. Whenever it’s a sunny day, you can find me on the South Green in front of Memorial Hall with snacks, a good book, and even better company!
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
LoGatto: Being a “Lifelong Lerner” means that I will always have a community at UD to come back to. A Lerner student’s contribution doesn’t stop once they submit their final paper or present their last project; their time here has been spent preparing them for the beginning of their life’s work. A Lifelong Lerner is constantly pushing the envelope of what it means to succeed in the business world, as well as how they can better support the community around them.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming freshmen to make the most out of their college experience?
LoGatto: At the end of your college experience, you should look back and know that you made the most out of the hand that was dealt to you. So, do whatever it takes to make your future self proud of the person you are becoming. When it comes to academics and school resources: be a sponge! Make a conscious effort to reach out to your professors, to know what resources you have available, and to get involved in organizations that truly interest you.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
LoGatto: In my very first lecture on my very first day, Instructor of Management Cathryn Schenk told our Organizational Behavior class how crucial it is to maximize our student experience here at UD. Her advice was not lost on me, and it kickstarted my diligence in finding different outlets at UD that supplemented my interests, hobbies, and goals. Additionally, Dr. Howland Redding furthered my knowledge of capital markets, stocks, and investments in my Principles of Finance class. His guidance helped me establish what kind of careers and investments were accessible to me in life post-graduation. I owe both of these professors a great deal of gratitude for their guidance in helping me find my way!
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
LoGatto: Following graduation, I am thrilled about moving to New York City and joining AlphaSights as a client services associate in their Capital Markets division! I will be connecting private equities, management consultancies, corporations, and investment firms with industry experts that provide qualitative and quantitative market insights and expertise in a variety of fields. I am very much looking forward to moving to New York with some friends that I’ve made along the way at UD!