University Honors Program

By Emma Kapp

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Honors Program is proud to highlight several outstanding female students.

Macey Berkley

Senior Macey Berkley is entering the workforce wanting to make a difference. The education and history double major has spent her undergraduate career researching public school systems and access to education. Through her research, Berkley has made some realizations about the type of educator she wants to become.

“My thesis follows how different education reforms in the nineteenth century still resonate today, meaning many of the issues we see today in education can be traced to events that happened 100 years ago,” she said. “It made me think as an educator about what should we be teaching our students and who should get to decide that.”

In the next year, Berkley is planning to move to Columbus to teach social studies. She would eventually like to obtain her principal licensure and eventually become a superintendent.

Berkley advises other female students on campus to find their passions and pursue them, no matter if society deems them as acceptable. She suggests becoming as informed on the topic or field as possible.

“Do your research,” she said. “Then be bold and confident, realizing you are pursuing your career interest and refining your knowledge of it daily.”

Maggie Jewett

Junior Maggie Jewett discovered her passion for research at UD.

“It wasn’t until I took AP Biology my sophomore year that I really knew I wanted to pursue science,” she said. “Over time, I’ve realized how exciting research and science are.”

As a chemical engineer, Jewett has been exposed to many potential career paths, but feels called to one in particular.

“For me, I want to further my work into graduate school,” she explained. “I’ll have the skillset for it, thanks to what I’ve learned in my classes and through my research.”

Jewett is thankful for the growing number of opportunities for women in scientific fields. As a member of the Clare Boothe Luce program, she has enjoyed getting a glimpse into how her future may look.

“We’ve been able to talk to several women in our professions,” she said. “It’s very interesting to hear about and exciting to know things are getting better for women in science.”

Faith Loughnane

Junior Faith Loughnane also enjoys being part of the Clare Boothe Luce program, too, and the chances for professional growth it provides.

“I like the opportunity to work with a mentor and have someone who knows so much more than me help me,” she said. “I have had some great professors, like my mentor, who have really helped guide me in what I want to do.”

Thanks to their support, the mechanical engineering major has used her time at UD to develop her technical skills and passions.

“My time at UD has definitely showed me that I am capable of so much more than I thought I could and has shown me what I want to do with my life,” she shared.

Loughnane also recognizes the importance of “paying it forward” to the next wave of women in science. She volunteered at a women in engineering camp this past summer and hopes to continue encouraging women to pursue scientific fields.

“I think it’s important to influence younger women,” she said. “We need to get them interested in science and continue the growth of women in the field.”

Abby Schatzman

Senior Abby Schatzman has shared her talents in a unique way during her time at UD. The management information systems and accounting double major led a team of students in creating FE Digital, a client-facing web development service.

“This is a great opportunity not only for Flyer Enterprises to broaden its horizons past coffee shops and cafes, but also for students to gain consulting and web development experience,” she said.

Being part of the FE team has given Schatzman great exposure to the business world and helped form her future plans.

“I'll be starting with PricewaterhouseCoopers in the fall as a risk assurance associate, so I'm excited to start my career in professional services and client-facing work,” she shared. “However, I know that someday I want to be a college professor, hopefully at UD.”

To other women on UD’s campus, Schatzman recommends networking and finding opportunities to grow as a young professional. These experiences may open other potential career paths of interest to follow.

 “Don't be afraid to try new things,” she suggested.

Cierra Stewart

Don’t be surprised if you hear Cierra Stewart’s name in the news someday soon. The junior political science major has a passion and drive to create change in the world.

Stewart wants to pursue a career in public service and work toward “ensuring equality and equal opportunity for all people, regardless of race, gender, nationality, socioeconomic status or religion.” Her on-campus experiences helped shape these goals.

“By being a Student Ambassador for Gender Equality (SAGE) at the Women’s Center, I am able to draw awareness to gender inequality in general and women’s issues in particular,” Stewart said. “In developing tools for effecting change within the UD community and being involved in initiatives that utilize a social justice framework and a gender focus, I feel like I am actually making a difference.”

Stewart encourages other women on UD’s campus to pursue their own interests relentlessly to make a difference in their fields of study.

"Strive to excel, and be the best you can possibly be," Stewart shared.

Corinne Woodruff

The value of community is not lost on senior Corinne Woodruff. The English and religious studies double major integrates her identity and her faith into her understanding of community.

“Many parts of society try to pit women against one another,” she said. “Building community with other women allows for shared experiences and perspectives, and the opportunity to learn and be stretched by those around you.”

Woodruff also sees how closely her faith and identity intersect with each other. To her, they are not mutually exclusive.

“I believe that faith calls us to deeply consider how we think about dignity and the unique creation of each individual,” she shared. “Feminism and faith together remind me the call to love and serve one another, and when there are times to stand up to injustices in the world.”

Rooted in these values, Woodruff hopes her career takes her into places where she can showcase “the power of transformative love.”

“Logistically, I hope to work in the non-profit sector or on a college campus, journeying with people as they experience life,” she said. “I hope to leave whatever part of the world I touch better than when I found it.”