Biography

Having moved into my house in Wilmington in 2007, I knew there was something special about this community. I could feel it when I set foot outside and found the neighborhood to be brimming with life and vibrancy. I could feel it in the community meetings I attended. People in the 1st State Representative District care deeply about what goes on in their community and how they can best affect change for themselves and their neighbors. There is a hard-working community at the core of the 1st District and it has been a pleasure to watch the growth of this District through the dedication of its residents.

I'm running for this seat because I believe we need more responsive and effective leadership in Dover. We need someone who will represent the 1st District who is responsible and accountable to the people, who has a varied background and ability to thoroughly understand the issues and legislation they will be faced with every day. I am that candidate and I'm hoping you'll give me the chance to represent you in Dover.

I was born and raised in Crimea, a country near Russia. My parents brought me here when I was nine. Upon arrival to America, I fell in love with the country I now call home. I attended public schools in Pennsylvania and graduated from Central Bucks High School West in 2001. While in high school, I also attended the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, where I was immersed in audio and video production. Combining a traditional high school experience with a vocational-training curriculum, I learned the value of both educational models and I hope to start such a dialogue surrounding education here in Delaware.

I attended Rowan University in New Jersey graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Following that, I pursued Master's degrees from Wilmington University in Finance and Marketing with a concentration on entrepreneurship. In these programs, I learned specifically how government finances work and how to promote and grow small businesses. I feel this would be an asset to encouraging economic growth in the 1st District.

Currently, I am a college-level instructor at four local colleges, teaching primarily math and business. I've also previously taught mathematics at the middle and high school level. This has given me a unique perspective into how I feel we can best upgrade our educational system here in Delaware. It all starts with education. We need to best prepare our students for the future and my focus will place an emphasis on science, math, and technology education without losing focus of the arts and humanities.

Besides teaching, I also consult with businesses looking for start-up and growth guidance. A key to any vibrant economy is a healthy and stable small-business sector. They keep our communities going and I will be wholly attentive to their needs should I be elected as your representative. I also work in real estate, assisting with home appraisals, sales, and redevelopment of troubled properties.

I look forward to working with you and hearing your questions as to how we can best move the 1st forward. I am dedicated to this community and I will use my skills, knowledge, and experience to benefit our community and the diverse residents within it. Please contact me with any questions and I hope to see you on the campaign!

Awards

Above & Beyond Volunteer Award from Rebuilding Together Philadelphia
"Victoria has boosted our energy-efficiency activities since her first day of volunteering at the fall 2010 Block Build sponsored by Cricket Communications. Victoria puts her all into projects, providing valuable feedback and leading other volunteers in all kinds of energy repairs. She even has taken on some of the nitty-gritty basement jobs that intimidate others. Serving tirelessly, Victoria volunteered for every single project in 2010-2011, lending a dynamic hand wherever she can, even beyond energy repairs." - Jennifer Shropshire, Board President