As a member of the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics’ Class of 2021, Wambui Kimani, a master of business analytics candidate from Nairobi, Kenya, has not had the typical final year or commencement at UD due to the coronavirus pandemic. Kimani, and her entire class, have shown incredible resilience, maturity and spirit while adjusting to the many unexpected changes that they have encountered.
Kimani was nominated for this series by UD Director for Financial Services Analytics Bintong Chen, who said, “Strives to keep a good balance among her busy life: schoolwork, day time job, family and mother of a little child.”
In this profile, Kimani 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?
Kimani: I have grown both personally and professionally since my first semester at UD. I have had the privilege of learning from some great professors, interacting with wonderful peers and growing my network.
Lerner: What is your favorite place at UD?
Kimani: I’ve lived in Newark for over ten years so I have a few places I love at UD. On-campus, I enjoyed spending time at the Lerner building and getting to know my peers. Main Street is also one of the places I enjoy, it’s exciting to see all the changes in the time I have been a student at UD. UD Creamery is probably my favorite all-time place at UD, best ice cream in Delaware.
Lerner: What is the most memorable course that you took at Lerner?
Kimani: I feel most of the courses I took at Lerner were quite memorable, I learned a lot in my time at Lerner. I especially enjoyed the Optimization and Spreadsheet Modeling course with Professor Chen, Decision Analytics and Data Visualization with Professor Son and Ethical Issues in a Business Environment with Professor Smith.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience?
Kimani: My favorite experience at UD has been being part of the Center for Black Culture as well as the MBA Student Association (MBASA). I think working full-time and also going to school during a pandemic made it a little tough to enjoy on-campus events.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Kimani: To me, being a Lifelong Lerner means that I will continue to apply the knowledge and skills I have learned at UD in my career. I also strive to continue learning and remain curious, just because this chapter is coming to a close doesn’t mean that I now stop learning.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Kimani: I plan to remain working in my field, I am currently a full-time accounting instructor. I also hope to keep growing in my profession and in business.