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There were several aspects of the AAP that made it the best choice for her as an undergraduate, Tomeo said, not least being its affordability. "I absolutely loved the program, and it saved me a great deal of money," she said. Unlike many students who find themselves repaying loans for years — even decades, in some cases — after college, Tomeo recently finished paying for her undergraduate degree and is celebrating being debt-free a mere two years after graduation.
"Cindy is a success story from several vantages: the AAP, the College of Arts & Sciences, SEED, the State of Delaware, the public school system, college affordability, and UD more broadly," Satran said. "She also happens to be a commendable young person who will inspire the high school students she teaches."
Tomeo noted the academic and social benefits offered by the AAP. "I really enjoyed how the program allowed me to be in a small class setting," she said. "It also allowed me to make some nice friends prior to transferring to the main campus." Tomeo said she appreciated how the AAP allowed her to get her core classes out of the way first, permitting her to devote her full attention to her major once she moved to Newark.
Tomeo acknowledges the faculty who further strengthened her resolve to pursue a career in education. "I truly enjoyed sociology with Mr. Horowitz," she said. "He was very friendly, helpful, and always had a positive attitude." In addition to sociology, Tomeo particularly enjoyed her Intro to Women's Studies class with Dr. Vickie Fedele, as well as Dr. William Lewis's Young Adult Literature class at the Newark campus. "All of the staff were very supportive and helpful," she said.
In fact, Tomeo's professors and her positive experience with the AAP were instrumental in shaping her future career plans. "My end goal is to become a college professor," she said. "I would love to be a part of the Associate in Arts Program because I am a product of it. I would love to encourage others, to show them where this program can take them and how much they can benefit from it."