Meet Your Fall 2025 Orientation Leaders: Delaney Cote ‘25

Starting college can feel like a big leap, but you won’t be doing it alone. Meet Delaney Cote ’25, one of your Fall 2025 Orientation Leaders and someone who knows exactly what it’s like to find your place at UNH Manchester. From shy first-year to student government leader, Delaney’s journey is full of lessons, encouragement and community.

We caught up with her to reflect on her time at UNH Manchester and to hear her advice for new Wildcats starting this fall.

Q&A with Delaney

What brought you to UNH Manchester?
As a Manchester resident, I always kept UNH Manchester in mind so I could have a quick commute to school and be able to continue working at my job. I went in undeclared but had my major in mind, since it was so unique to the Manchester campus: public service and nonprofit leadership. There was also a five-year Accelerated Master’s option through UNH, which made me more interested in what UNH Manchester had to offer. I ended up declaring this as my major after a few classes, and started taking graduate courses early! I graduated a few weeks ago and will be continuing my graduate program in public administration.

What surprised you most about college life?
What surprised me most about college life was the flexibility of time commitments, classes and also community building I could be part of on campus. I appreciated being able to choose courses I was interested in that also fit with my life schedule while balancing jobs and my personal life. Another big part of college life was the interactions I could have on campus. I didn’t expect to connect with people so easily and so often, but I did. I didn’t feel pressured either to try to be outgoing; I was able to join some welcoming events on campus and ease into campus activities. I focused on academics and as time went by, I naturally connected with people on campus and participated in events, joined clubs, and even started working on campus. 

What advice would you give to new students?
Give yourself time to adjust to the new routines and environment you’re in, but also don’t be afraid to try new things or interact with new people. It often seems frightening to try something new or put yourself out there, but taking yourself a bit out of your comfort zone is truly how we learn and grow as individuals. Also, it usually makes for a pretty good story anyway. When you connect on campus, you will most likely see that person again, and immersing yourself in this community truly builds such a needed sense of belonging as you are beginning or continuing your college journey.

How has being involved on campus helped you grow?
I started out as a very reserved student. I kept to myself and just attended classes and then left campus. At the end of my first semester, Professor Hendricks in my First Year Writing class suggested I should be a peer tutor. I interviewed and trained to be a writing tutor, and was able to connect with my peers for proofreading and other support. Shortly after starting tutoring, a friend in class invited me to join Student Government.

I gave this a shot as well, and began interacting with people on campus more regularly. I slowly started attending more events and staying on campus for the people, not just the academics. Now, I am excited to come to campus for the friends, faculty, and staff, who really care about each others’ stories and wellbeing. I don’t know another space to be as welcoming or consistent in building community as UNH Manchester. I look for these qualities in every setting I go into now.

Is there a professor who’s made a big impact on you?
Professor Woytonik is a gem, and someone I am so grateful to know. She taught many of my political science classes, and her expertise and knowledge in the field really changed my experience in class. She goes beyond textbook information to connect historical implications to past and present events. Beyond helping me and peers think critically, she learns about student interests and gears information towards them. She connected me with internship and job opportunities that were focused in policy research, and helped me meet professionals in her network that were interested in similar topics. I also was able to go on a study abroad trip during Spring Break with her to Ireland and London in order to learn more about the Troubles and their impact on today’s political and social scene. She was with us every step of the way, and constantly encouraged us to explore and seek out more information. Overall, Professor Woytonik surpassed any expectations for what I would have expected in my education. She takes educational structures and breaks them down so her students can think carefully and critically about how the world interacts.

Just for Fun

Favorite Manchester restaurant?
I like to go anywhere on Elm Street, but like 110 Grill for their pasta selections. I do also enjoy Bridge Street Cafe. Now, I am a snacker, so you will see me and many students venture to Ben and Jerry’s, where we also get a student discount.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I would like to travel to as many places as possible! Right now, New Zealand and Amsterdam are at the top of the list because of their beautiful scenery and flower fields. I would also just like to learn about cultures in different countries and how their histories interact with one another.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a kid, I wanted to be a teacher or a painter! I am happy to say that elements of both of those fields intersect with the work I do now. There are elements of mentorship and learning in my work, but also, I can be creative in designing flyers for clubs, and I still paint quite often as a hobby.

Want to meet Delaney and the rest of our orientation team? Join us this fall to get connected, ask questions, and explore your new home at UNH Manchester. Orientation is where your story here begins and we’re so glad you’re part of it!