Human Development and Family Sciences
Celebrating UD’s newest doctors

Doctoral Hooding Ceremony recognizes study, sacrifice and perseverance
Alexis Omar’s father, aunt and grandfather all earned University of Delaware degrees, so Blue Hen pride was instilled in her at a young age and reinforced throughout her youth. Visits to relatives in the First State from her home in Allentown, Pennsylvania, often prompted her dad to make a pit stop in Newark to stroll the campus, outfit his family in new UD hoodies and treat them to a snack from the UDairy Creamery.
Though she considered attending other schools, the friendly atmosphere coupled with the chance to pursue a bachelor’s degree in pre-veterinary medicine and animal biosciences inspired Omar to extend her family’s Blue Hen legacy when she enrolled at UD in 2014. Eleven years and three degrees later, she continues to be thrilled with her decision to follow in her family’s footsteps.
“I was a tour guide, and every time I gave a tour here I would hear how friendly everyone at UD was, how kind this campus was, and I experienced the same thing,” Omar said. “The campus is so incredibly gorgeous and safe, and everyone has always been so welcoming, kind and accepting.”

Omar liked UD so much that she was not content with just earning her bachelor’s degree in 2018. What was originally intended to be a four-year stay was extended by seven years for a master’s degree in food science in 2021 and a doctorate in animal and food sciences that was awarded at the 2025 Doctoral Hooding Ceremony inside a festive Bob Carpenter Center on May 21.
“We all know that this moment is a huge milestone for all of you who are receiving your doctoral hoods today, following years of intense study, sacrifice and perseverance,” UD President Dennis Assanis said. “You have pushed the boundaries of your disciplines, asked difficult questions and pursued answers with courage and conviction. So let me be among the first to say: Congratulations, doctors.”

“Earning this degree entitles a person to wear a doctoral hood,” said Lou Rossi, dean of UD’s Graduate College and vice provost for graduate and professional education. “Hoods are an important part of academic regalia and symbolize the possession of advanced knowledge and specialized skills that few others possess. In the U.S., only 2% of the population have doctoral degrees.”

“I am honored to play a small part in this incredible moment of your lives,” UD Provost Laura Carlson said. “I love the Commencement ceremonies and their fanfare — the bagpipe music, the procession, the colorful robes, the caps and, of course, the coveted doctoral hoods that you have worked so hard to receive.”

“I couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate my birthday,” Halverson said. “I’m grateful for the mentors, participants, peers and communities who made this journey possible.”

A native of Mount Airy, Maryland, with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Millersville University, Gillis-Nelson began the pursuit of her biological sciences doctorate at UD in 2018. After completing her coursework and spending about two years in the lab of Yvette Yien, she learned that the assistant professor was relocating to the University of Pittsburgh’s Vascular Medicine Institute in the spring of 2021.

“I was enjoying the research I was doing, but I was expecting my life to be in Delaware with Tim for the next few years finishing up my Ph.D.,” Gillis-Nelson said. “Tim was very supportive and said we’ll make it work.”

“I never felt like I was on an island,” Gillis-Nelson said. “My committee members kept me on track and offered all the support I needed.”
While Omar and Gillis-Nelson had very different experiences as UD students, and spent disproportionate amounts of time on campus, both found a home in Delaware and plan to stay here as their personal and professional lives develop.

Though Omar is finally leaving UD, she is not going far. She accepted a position as a professor and a lab manager at Wilmington University, where she is going to teach genetics. As for Gillis-Nelson, she married Tim in September 2024 and is looking to get into industry research in or around the state.

Whether students are at UD to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree — or at least one of each — Omar has some advice for them.
“Don’t take anything for granted; be in the moment; be present, because this University is amazing,” Omar said. “Appreciate what you have right now, because these are supposed to be the best years of your life — 11 years if you decide to stay like I did.”
Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson and Evan Krape.