A passionate educator who inspired her students, she taught a variety of courses, including Interpersonal Communication, Media and Society, Public Speaking and Professional Presentations, and Philosophy of Communication. 

Ms. Shupard was known for her devotion to and support for her students. She served as the disability support services liaison for both campuses from 2018 to 2023. She was also instrumental in recruiting speakers for the AAP’s seminar series.

As an undergraduate, Ms. Shupard contributed to The Review, UD’s student newspaper, and was a member of UD’s a cappella group The Golden Blues.

A resident of Dewey Beach, she was an active volunteer with several community organizations in Sussex County. 

Colleagues remember

Some of her colleagues shared their memories.

Christine Grogan, associate professor of English, AAP:

“I had the pleasure of sitting next to Amy during my first UD AAP convocation. As we were lined up waiting to process in, I couldn’t help but notice how many of her students, some from semesters ago, came up to her to talk, fist-bump, even hug. It was clear to me that she was very connected to them and invested in their success.

“I soon learned that her unwavering support carried over to her colleagues. She had a way of making people feel special. She complimented me on more than one occasion with how I handled dogs barking during the Zoom portion of my interview. Her smile was infectious, and she always put me at ease with her excellent communication skills. She was just as eager to discuss intellectual theory as she was shoe brands. I could always tell when Amy was on the Dover campus to teach; her sweet, bubbly voice carried throughout the halls. I am grateful I had the opportunity to work alongside such a wonderful teacher and person. I’m going to miss her.”

Sarah Trembanis, associate director and professor of history, AAP:

“Amy was an extraordinarily dedicated instructor who brought a boundless joy to our classrooms and program. I can’t count the number of times Amy pulled me aside or called me to ask how she could better support a student or to discuss how to ensure she was making her classroom an open and exciting learning space for all students. She cared deeply about each student who sat in her class. She considered every AAP student ‘one of her kids’ and worked incredibly hard to make sure they could succeed. Students sought her out for support and advice and recognized that she was someone who would listen without judgment and help in any way that she could. Amy maintained her excitement and enthusiasm for teaching communication throughout the many years that she taught in our program, always looking for a new speech or new material to keep her courses relevant. 

“Always willing to go above and beyond for the AAP and our students, she took on the challenge of developing new-to-her courses to make a communication major more achievable for AAP students in Dover. In her role as DSS liaison, she advocated for our students, spending hours facilitating tests and technologies and often serving the invaluable role of sounding board and support system for students in need. Amy frequently utilized her deep network of contacts and friends to help bring in inspiring speakers for our seminar series. We also could always count on Amy to show up for Admitted Student nights and Campus Welcome and to be a vibrant representative of our teaching excellence. She particularly loved convocation and looked forward to celebrating our graduates, many of whom sought her out for photos and to share their gratitude for her support. She was a cherished friend and colleague to all of us in southern Delaware. Amy was someone who always remembered to ask about your family, your health, and as a dog-lover, your pets. In Dover, we always looked forward to the joyful spirit, smile and laughter that she brought to the campus on ‘Amy days.’ She will be deeply missed. Our hearts go out to her husband, family and friends in this sad time.”

Anne Colwell, professor of English, AAP:

“Everyone who knew Amy Shupard felt the light that she brought to the world and to the lives of the people she met. Amy loved people. She could talk to anyone; she was vibrant, funny, intelligent and deeply kind. Remembering her, her students talk about how she kept in touch with them when they were sick, emailing to check on them; how she found community and UD resources when they needed help; how she listened and cared about each of them. As her colleague, I loved working with Amy and appreciated her perspective and intelligence in designing courses and supporting all our students. We all looked for her on the days we knew she was teaching because she brought so much joy and energy to campus. In our program, her absence will be deeply felt, and she will be remembered with gratitude and love for who she was and for all that she gave.” 

Elizabeth Perse, former chair, Department of Communication and Ms. Shupard’s adviser:

“Amy Shupard was a brilliant student, undergraduate and graduate. Her research interests were creative and ahead of the time. Her communication master’s thesis data, collected almost 25 years ago, applied communication theory to support for women’s reproductive rights. She was an outstanding teacher here at UD. She taught on the Newark campus and in London as a teaching assistant for study abroad, and then developed mass communication classes for the AA program in Sussex county. She was a treasure to have as a student, and she was committed to communication education and to the University of Delaware.

“She was a delightful woman who was at the core of our M.A. program while she was in Newark. And, she maintained those connections. She is still remembered fondly among us.” 

Ms. Shupard is survived by her husband, Chris Capriotti; her father, Herb Shupard; her sister, Tammy Shupard Brandt (JB) of Milton; her brothers, Malik Lopez (Jennifer) of Magnolia, and Geoff Shupard (Nichole) of Rehoboth Beach; her brothers-in-law, Mark Capriotti (Leah) of Philadelphia, and Michael Capriotti (Megan) of Philadelphia; her nieces and nephews, Jack Brandt, Nick Brandt, Tahj Lopez, Charles Shupard, Luca Capriotti, Cooper Capriotti and Jude Capriotti; as well as her two beloved King Charles Spaniels, Nikki and Brodie.

To read her complete obituary or leave online condolences, visit Parsell Funeral Homes.