Effective leadership in the dynamic world of innovation and entrepreneurship is essential, driving both growth and creativity. At the heart of this leadership is the ability to lead oneself before guiding others. The Siegfried Fellows program is founded on this principle. Meet the 2024-2025 cohort of Siegfried Fellows.
This year’s Siegfried Fellows boasts 15 students from five colleges: Arts & Sciences, Education & Human Development, Health Sciences, and Lerner College of Business & Economics - and the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration:
- Ceyanna Saunders, Elementary Teacher Education, class of 2025
- Javier Cruz-Mendoza, Neuroscience, class of 2025
- Ryan Frankis, Entrepreneurship, class of 2026
- Kayla Barr, Entrepreneurship, class of 2026
- Devina Patel, Finance and Financial Planning & Wealth Management, class of 2026
- Aidan Kutch, Entrepreneurship, class of 2026
- McKinley Lynn, Entrepreneurship and Marketing, class of 2026
- Carys Hulse, Entrepreneurship, class of 2026
- Abigail Boyer, Entrepreneurship, class of 2026
- Ke’Shaun Rogers, Entrepreneurship, class of 2026
- Ava Najdanovic, Psychology, class of 2027
- Jonathan Dogas, Entrepreneurship and Finance, class of 2027
- Kameron Manning, Leadership, class of 2027
- Jeremiah Miller, Entrepreneurship, class of 2027
- Bella Pote, Kinesiology, class of 2027
The program kicked off with a daylong retreat at The Mill in Wilmington, Delaware, where the Fellows engaged in presentations, collaborative activities, and thoughtful reflections around the central question, "What Will You Lead?" The day concluded with a panel of University of Delaware and Siegfried Fellows alumni: Miranda Petti, Mandy Zicherman, Nasir Young, and Emilio Pastor, who shared their insights and experiences.
The Fellows embraced the program’s motto: "Lead Change. Be Nimble. Cultivate Character." These guiding principles will shape their leadership development throughout the months ahead.
About the Siegfried Fellows Program
The Siegfried Fellows is a highly selective, cohort-based, 10-month immersive program for student leaders. Siegfried Fellows programming is designed to expand and deepen understanding of oneself as a leader, promote connections with and learning from regional leaders, and inspire initiative for positive impact. Siegfried Fellows are emerging leaders who seek to develop and apply entrepreneurial mindsets, such as resiliency in the face of setbacks and creative problem solving, while also cultivating character virtues in themselves.
About Horn Entrepreneurship
Horn Entrepreneurship serves as the creative engine for entrepreneurship education and advancement at the University of Delaware. Currently ranked among the best entrepreneurship programs in the U.S., horn Entrepreneurship was built and is actively supported by successful entrepreneurs, empowering aspiring innovators as they pursue new ideas for a better world.
Editor’s note: ENTR/LEAD253: Individual Leadership - Building a Foundation for Success is a prerequisite course for the Siegfried Fellows. To learn more about either ENTR/LEAD253 or SELF, please contact Dr. Johann Ducharme [ducharme@udel.edu]
