The traditional college experience is often portrayed as a straight path — four years, one program, one campus — all leading to new adventures away from home. But for University of Delaware senior Kaitlyn Hand, success took a different route. It began in an associate program in her Southern Delaware community, led her to Newark and then brought her back home, where she is already making an immediate impact in students’ lives.

“One of the biggest inspirations for me becoming a teacher was my high school biology teacher, Mrs. Hamory,” said Hand, who will graduate with her bachelor’s degree in elementary and middle school teacher education (EME) through the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). “She was phenomenal — truly one of those educators who made learning feel engaging, meaningful and accessible every single day. After graduation, I hope to begin my career in Delaware, giving back to the community where I have grown as a student teacher and continuing the legacy of strong, supportive educators.”

Hand’s UD experience

As a student at Caesar Rodney High School, Hand started looking for affordable colleges close to home. She landed in UD’s associate program in EME on its Georgetown campus, which offered an affordable path through the state’s SEED (Student Excellence Equals Degree) Scholarship. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition for Delaware residents enrolled in an eligible associate program.

“This scholarship helped make college a reality for me and made pursuing my degree significantly more affordable, allowing me to focus fully on my academics and professional development without the added stress of financial barriers,” Hand said.

Hand also appreciated the program’s smaller class sizes and “more intimate program structure, which allowed for personalized mentorship and stronger connections with professors and peers.” Small class sizes, supportive advising and close relationships with faculty are hallmarks of CEHD’s EME associate programs on both the Wilmington and Georgetown campuses.

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