Ms. Laura Ruth was a 2026 commencement speaker representing the WilmU College of Business and Technology (Undergraduate Programs).
She is the executional excellence lead in engineering operations at GEICO, where she drives strategic alignment across engineering teams in partnership with leadership. A member of the Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society, she is passionate about leadership, continuous growth, and empowering others to reach their full potential.
Q: Can you tell us about your WilmU journey and what prompted you to choose the B.S. in Organizational Leadership program?
My journey with Wilmington University started off on a traditional path, where I transferred my credits from Cecil College to complete my degree. However, life had other plans, and I became pregnant with my son, Tucker. I made the decision to put school on hold while I focused on my family. In 2024, my leader at GEICO and I sat down to talk about my career path and where I wanted to go professionally. During our conversation, we discussed the degree I had put on hold years earlier. She challenged me and asked me to reflect on my goals, strengths, and my vision for the future. I made the decision to return to school and pursue a degree in Organizational Leadership. That conversation became the moment my educational journey began again.
For more than 20 years, leadership has been at the heart of my career, making Organizational Leadership a natural fit. Throughout my time at GEICO, I’ve had the opportunity to mentor, lead teams, and drive change. Earning a degree in leadership strengthened skills by providing new perspectives and growing into a confident and more effective leader.
Q: Was there a specific moment when you knew that WilmU was the right fit for you?
As an adult learner, balancing a full-time career, family, and my son’s travel hockey schedule was not always easy. One of the things I appreciated most about Wilmington University was the flexibility it offered.
The moment I knew Wilmington University was the right fit for me was when I took my first class with Dr. Mary Pat Braudis. Even though it was a virtual class, we met live each week with our cameras on, which made it feel like we were all learning together. Dr. Braudis has a way of making everyone feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, and she led discussions that made you think differently. I learned so much — not only from her, but from the conversations with my classmates. It was one class I genuinely looked forward to every week, and that’s when I knew I had made the right decision to come back to school.
Q: Looking back, which course, project, or assignment had the most significant impact on you and why?
Looking back, the assignment that impacted me the most was my capstone course. This course brought everything I learned throughout the Organizational Leadership program together and to connect all the pieces. It reinforced the importance of aligning goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and actions to achieve meaningful results. The experience gave me a better understanding of strategic leadership and strengthened my skills that I utilize in my career.
Q: What skills or perspectives have you gained along the way that you didn’t anticipate?
One of the biggest things I learned from this program is that leadership is about more than just learning new skills. It’s about growing into a confident leader. Completing this degree helped me develop a more strategic mindset, build confidence in my communication skills, and strengthen my ability to lead others through change.
These courses also reminded me that learning never stops. I realized that leadership isn’t about always having the right answers. It’s about listening, adapting, and helping others succeed. That is the type of leader I want to continue to be, and this degree has given me the confidence to keep growing both personally and professionally.
Q: If you could sum up your WilmU experience in one sentence, what would it be?
My experience at Wilmington University taught me that real growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone, embrace new challenges, and continue learning to become a stronger and more effective leader.
Completing this degree helped me develop a more strategic mindset, build confidence in my communication skills, and strengthen my ability to lead others through change.
— Laura Ruth
Q. Now that you’ve completed your degree, what’s next for you?
I’m excited to continue growing in my career, take on new leadership opportunities, and expand my knowledge of artificial intelligence and technology. One of my biggest goals is to one day become an adjunct professor at Wilmington University and have the opportunity to give back by sharing my experiences with future students. Most importantly, I want to continue learning because I never want my personal or professional growth to stop.
Q: How do you hope to make an impact in your field or community?
I hope to make an impact by creating an environment where people feel empowered, supported, and encouraged to grow. I want to be the kind of leader who helps others build confidence, isn’t afraid to let people learn from their mistakes, and encourages them to think outside the box. I believe that’s how people develop, teams become stronger, and real innovation happens.
Q: Can you share any words of wisdom, advice, or encouragement for people who are thinking about taking their education further?
Don’t get discouraged if your journey takes longer than you expected. Life will always be busy, and there will always be reasons to put your goals on hold. Instead of focusing on how long it will take, just take it one class, one assignment, and one day at a time. Before you know it, you’ll look back and wonder how you made it to the finish line. Believe in yourself, because you are capable of accomplishing anything you set your mind to.
Q: Lastly, is there anyone you would like to acknowledge for playing a key role in supporting your journey?
There are several people who played an important role in supporting me throughout this journey. First, my husband, Don, who stepped in during our busiest moments so I could balance work, school, and family. I couldn’t have done it without his support.
My son, Tucker, was my biggest cheerleader. He encouraged me every step of the way and made me feel so proud for taking this journey. Knowing he was watching me work toward my goal made earning this degree even more meaningful.
I also want to thank my mom, who was always willing to read my papers, listen to my ideas, and give me honest feedback. She was my editor, my sounding board, and one of my biggest supporters.
I also want to recognize my mentor, Julia Grim. At a crossroads in my life and career, she encouraged me to jump back into school with both feet, continue growing, and never look back. Her belief in me gave me confidence to take that first step, and I will always be grateful for her encouragement and leadership.
Finally, I want to recognize Dr. Mary Pat Braudis. Her leadership, encouragement, and genuine investment in her students made a lasting impression on me. She challenged me to think differently and helped me grow as a leader, and she is someone I will always remember as an important part of my Wilmington University experience.
WilmU’s bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership offers a unique interdisciplinary approach to learning about innovative leadership practices and is designed to foster leadership skills that emphasize a human touch.
Ms. Laura Ruth was a 2026 commencement speaker representing the WilmU College of Business and Technology (Undergraduate Programs).
She is the executional excellence lead in engineering operations at GEICO, where she drives strategic alignment across engineering teams in partnership with leadership. A member of the Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society, she is passionate about leadership, continuous growth, and empowering others to reach their full potential.
Q: Can you tell us about your WilmU journey and what prompted you to choose the B.S. in Organizational Leadership program?
My journey with Wilmington University started off on a traditional path, where I transferred my credits from Cecil College to complete my degree. However, life had other plans, and I became pregnant with my son, Tucker. I made the decision to put school on hold while I focused on my family. In 2024, my leader at GEICO and I sat down to talk about my career path and where I wanted to go professionally. During our conversation, we discussed the degree I had put on hold years earlier. She challenged me and asked me to reflect on my goals, strengths, and my vision for the future. I made the decision to return to school and pursue a degree in Organizational Leadership. That conversation became the moment my educational journey began again.
For more than 20 years, leadership has been at the heart of my career, making Organizational Leadership a natural fit. Throughout my time at GEICO, I’ve had the opportunity to mentor, lead teams, and drive change. Earning a degree in leadership strengthened skills by providing new perspectives and growing into a confident and more effective leader.
Q: Was there a specific moment when you knew that WilmU was the right fit for you?
As an adult learner, balancing a full-time career, family, and my son’s travel hockey schedule was not always easy. One of the things I appreciated most about Wilmington University was the flexibility it offered.
The moment I knew Wilmington University was the right fit for me was when I took my first class with Dr. Mary Pat Braudis. Even though it was a virtual class, we met live each week with our cameras on, which made it feel like we were all learning together. Dr. Braudis has a way of making everyone feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, and she led discussions that made you think differently. I learned so much — not only from her, but from the conversations with my classmates. It was one class I genuinely looked forward to every week, and that’s when I knew I had made the right decision to come back to school.
Q: Looking back, which course, project, or assignment had the most significant impact on you and why?
Looking back, the assignment that impacted me the most was my capstone course. This course brought everything I learned throughout the Organizational Leadership program together and to connect all the pieces. It reinforced the importance of aligning goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and actions to achieve meaningful results. The experience gave me a better understanding of strategic leadership and strengthened my skills that I utilize in my career.
Q: What skills or perspectives have you gained along the way that you didn’t anticipate?
One of the biggest things I learned from this program is that leadership is about more than just learning new skills. It’s about growing into a confident leader. Completing this degree helped me develop a more strategic mindset, build confidence in my communication skills, and strengthen my ability to lead others through change.
These courses also reminded me that learning never stops. I realized that leadership isn’t about always having the right answers. It’s about listening, adapting, and helping others succeed. That is the type of leader I want to continue to be, and this degree has given me the confidence to keep growing both personally and professionally.
Q: If you could sum up your WilmU experience in one sentence, what would it be?
My experience at Wilmington University taught me that real growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone, embrace new challenges, and continue learning to become a stronger and more effective leader.
Completing this degree helped me develop a more strategic mindset, build confidence in my communication skills, and strengthen my ability to lead others through change.
— Laura Ruth
Q. Now that you’ve completed your degree, what’s next for you?
I’m excited to continue growing in my career, take on new leadership opportunities, and expand my knowledge of artificial intelligence and technology. One of my biggest goals is to one day become an adjunct professor at Wilmington University and have the opportunity to give back by sharing my experiences with future students. Most importantly, I want to continue learning because I never want my personal or professional growth to stop.
Q: How do you hope to make an impact in your field or community?
I hope to make an impact by creating an environment where people feel empowered, supported, and encouraged to grow. I want to be the kind of leader who helps others build confidence, isn’t afraid to let people learn from their mistakes, and encourages them to think outside the box. I believe that’s how people develop, teams become stronger, and real innovation happens.
Q: Can you share any words of wisdom, advice, or encouragement for people who are thinking about taking their education further?
Don’t get discouraged if your journey takes longer than you expected. Life will always be busy, and there will always be reasons to put your goals on hold. Instead of focusing on how long it will take, just take it one class, one assignment, and one day at a time. Before you know it, you’ll look back and wonder how you made it to the finish line. Believe in yourself, because you are capable of accomplishing anything you set your mind to.
Q: Lastly, is there anyone you would like to acknowledge for playing a key role in supporting your journey?
There are several people who played an important role in supporting me throughout this journey. First, my husband, Don, who stepped in during our busiest moments so I could balance work, school, and family. I couldn’t have done it without his support.
My son, Tucker, was my biggest cheerleader. He encouraged me every step of the way and made me feel so proud for taking this journey. Knowing he was watching me work toward my goal made earning this degree even more meaningful.
I also want to thank my mom, who was always willing to read my papers, listen to my ideas, and give me honest feedback. She was my editor, my sounding board, and one of my biggest supporters.
I also want to recognize my mentor, Julia Grim. At a crossroads in my life and career, she encouraged me to jump back into school with both feet, continue growing, and never look back. Her belief in me gave me confidence to take that first step, and I will always be grateful for her encouragement and leadership.
Finally, I want to recognize Dr. Mary Pat Braudis. Her leadership, encouragement, and genuine investment in her students made a lasting impression on me. She challenged me to think differently and helped me grow as a leader, and she is someone I will always remember as an important part of my Wilmington University experience.
WilmU’s bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership offers a unique interdisciplinary approach to learning about innovative leadership practices and is designed to foster leadership skills that emphasize a human touch.
