Alumni and Friends Making an Impact

Maya Murray exemplifies the values of growth and community that define the UD experience. She’s deeply committed to her studies in psychology and family development, involved and engaged across campus, and an active member of the UD rowing team.

You could follow her around for the day to see what it’s like being a D-1 student-athlete at UD, but get ready for an early start. The rowing team is at practice by 5:30 a.m.

“Practices are early, but starting my day on the water at sunrise is something I cherish,” said Maya as she emphasized the meditativeness of those quiet mornings. As she works on the water, she learns to find her own current, harnessing the flow to propel Flyers forward.

Murray’s journey at UD began during a campus tour, where she felt an immediate sense of belonging.

“When I came to UD, it was important for me not just to hear about the community values but to see them in action.”

“When I came to UD, it was important for me not just to hear about the community values but to see them in action,” she said.

Sometimes you see it in the little details — like noticing that her tour guide seemed to recognize and say hello to every student they met along the way. People held doors for each other. Respect.

“I wanted to find a place where I could make a positive impact,” said Murray, and seeing positivity reflected back to her during her visit made an impact. She didn’t need a lot of extra pushing to trust her instincts.

Rowing was the same way. She had no experience with the sport before UD, but she took a leap of faith and walked onto the team.

“I was a bit nervous about trying something new, but it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made in college,” she said.

Rowing has challenged her physically, but she’s formed bonds with her teammates that will never be broken, and she’s experienced a Flyer level of support that has inspired. Student-athletes at UD have tremendous academic resources, and the University’s commitment to student wellbeing is second to none.

“We have academic support who really look out for us,” said Murray, and raved about Krystal Warren, UD’s associate athletics director for student development and community engagement. This support is crucial for student-athletes, who often juggle demanding training schedules alongside their coursework. And Murray wasn’t the only person impressed.

The University has implemented numerous changes to advance student support for health and wellbeing. One significant change being implemented is the addition of more personalized advising for all UD students, and the advising program was created by studying lots of people who were doing an incredible job already – people like Warren.

Murray is proud of UD for taking strides to advance mental health issues and to prioritize wellbeing as top priorities. She has personally advocated for initiatives that promote awareness among student-athletes through programs like REACH training, where she has learned how to identify and support peers who may be struggling.

“It’s important for us to be aware of these issues and to support each other,” she said. This training not only empowers student-athletes, it also fosters a culture of care and compassion within the entire UD community.

What’s next for Murray? She has the bow of her boat cutting straight toward a Ph.D. in psychology, focusing on supporting minority groups and addressing gaps in mental health resources.

“It’s crucial to ensure that everyone has access to the help they need,” said Murray. Her passion for mental health advocacy reflects the values instilled in her during her time at UD.

Murray’s journey with UD will serve as a powerful reminder of how community, support and opportunity work together to transform lives. Through the generosity of donors and the attention of dedicated advisors, students like Murray are empowered to pursue their passions, overcome challenges and make meaningful contributions throughout their career and their communities.