Fall 2023 University of New Haven Alumni Magazine

PREVIEW

NEWS

FEATURES ALUMNI NEWS

SPORTS DESK PERSPECTIVE

Story City Tours One �� 01 01

Story Two �Student Celebrating 04 Service � 05

Story Three �Weekend Homecoming 32 2023 � 25

� 39 Story Four Power On � 28

AALLUUMMNNI I MMAAGGAAZZI INNEE •• I S S U E 1 0 •• FFAALLLL 22002233

BORN TO BETTERING THEMSELVES, THEIR FIELDS, AND THE WORLD Stories from Charger Nation, page 10

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PREVIEW

Chargers in the City The University kicked off its city tour series this fall with stops in New York City and Washington, D.C. And we’re coming to a city near you in 2024!

Join us for a festive evening as you reconnect with fellow alumni, friends, and the University of New Haven. Hear from University leadership and learn what current Chargers are achieving in the classroom, on the athletic field, and in the community.

Check out where we will be heading in the upcoming months: Next Stop location-dot Los Angeles | Thursday, January 18 Future 2024 Stops location-dot Palm Beach location-dot Nashville location-dot Boston location-dot Chicago Visit newhaven.edu/alumni/events for event mouse-pointer details and registration.

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LOS ANGELES, CA

CITY TOURS

BOSTON, MA CHICAG O, IL

N E W YO R K , N Y

NASHVILLE, TN

WA S H I N GTO N , D C

PA L M B E A C H , F L

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

IN THIS ISSUE

10 BETTERING THEMSELVES, THEIR FIELDS, AND THE WORLD

PUTTING THEMSELVES IN DEMAND

Gabriela Garcia-Perez ’23, ’24 M.S., and Brendan Shamas ’22, ’23 MBAPA-C

Stories from Charger Nation

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WHERE HARD WORK WORKS HARDER

POWERING HIS PURPOSE

DEFINING HER FIELD

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Anna Mercaldi ’19

FUTURE READY Nigel Morgan

Ryan Noonan ’20, ’23 M.S.

BRINGING BETTER TO THE WORLD

Lorenzo M. Boyd, Ph.D.; Lisa Dadio, M.S., MSW; and Karl Minges, Ph.D., MPH

Carolyn Kielma ’02 M.S.

BUILDING AND LEADING A LIFE YOU LOVE Sheahon Zenger, Ph.D.

PREVIEW

ALUMNI NEWS

PERSPECTIVE

1 • City Tours

24 • From the Alumni Association

28 • Power On

25 • Events NEWS 4 • University News 8 • Research Roundup

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SPORTS DESK 26 • Highlights

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FROM THE EDITOR

IN THIS ISSUE

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Editor in Chief Elizabeth J. Rodgers Vice President for Enrollment & Student Success Gregory E. Eichhorn Vice President for University Advancement Brian Otis Senior Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Sue Pranulis President of the Alumni Board of Directors Reece Gleadle ’14 Marketing & Communications Renee Chmiel, Dave Cranshaw, Tyler Hanson, Rachel Lloyd, Matthew McCullough, Michael McKiernan, Carolyn Meyer, John Mordecai, Laura Norris, Kristen Ortega, Kaitlyn Pinheiro, Carol Regan, Chris Teodosio Design Bria Mangione, Taylor Design Contributors Wendy Mitzel, Steve Neumann, Doug Whiting Photography Clarus Multimedia, Defining Studios & Defining Properties, Don Hamerman, K. Kayon Morgan, University of New Haven Athletics The University of New Haven Alumni Magazine is published twice a year by the Office of Marketing & Communications. Its mission is to connect alumni and other members of the University community to the University and to one another.

Reach us at: The University of New Haven, 300 Boston Post Road, West Haven, CT 06516 or at magazine@newhaven.edu.

The University of New Haven is committed to equal access to educational and employment opportunities for all applicants, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, color, personal appearance, marital status, civil union status, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, or physical or intellectual disability. ©2023 University of New Haven. All Rights Reserved.

For permissions, please contact erodgers@newhaven.edu

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The Art of Life and Leadership

W

hen we were planning for this special edition of the University of New Haven Alumni Magazine, I revisited “Dare to Lead,” one of my favorite books by professor, best-selling author, and podcast host Brené Brown.

In “Dare to Lead,” Brown writes: “We don’t see power as finite and hoard it; we know that our power becomes infinite when we share it with others.” Daring leadership, by Brown’s telling, “requires skill-building around traits that are deeply and uniquely human” and cultivating empathy, connection, and courage.

As I thought more about this somewhat countercultural approach to leadership development, I was reminded of the Zulu term “Ubuntu” — meaning “a spirit of common humanity” — which I first came across in the work of Tim Lomas about non-Western views of well-being and ‘untranslatable’ words relating to the concept. Considering both Brown’s and Lomas’s perspectives, attention to social unity, generosity of spirit, and the greater good is a direct path to not only personal fulfillment but also effective leadership.

In a world where the landscape can often feel shifting and fractured, this high level of social consciousness is a skill one might need to relearn. And learning in and of itself can be a tricky business. As organizational psychologist Benjamin Hardy states, “Learning involves a permanent change in how you see and act in the world. The accumulation of information isn’t learning. Lots of people have heads full of information they don’t know what to do with.”

In other words, the best learners — and leaders — will be those individuals who are actively and intentionally engaging with life, an unofficial buy-in to one of poet and activist Maya Angelou’s most famous teachings: “Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.”

And so, in the following pages, we are pleased to highlight stories of current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends who have lived and led with great artistry, reminding us that, as Brown posited with leadership and power, the real value and potential in each of our stories is inextricably linked with our ability to share them.

We hope you enjoy this special edition.

Warmly,

Elizabeth J. Rodgers Editor In Chief

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NEWS

University News University Welcomes New Vice President for Institutional Equity and Diversity Barbara J. Lawrence, J.D., M.P.A., is the University’s newly appointed vice president for institutional equity and diversity, chief diversity officer, and Title IX coordinator Working with stakeholders across the University, she will lead the continued development and implementation of the University’s DEIAB strategic plan and all University-wide DEIAB efforts, including providing oversight for the University’s Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion. She officially joined the University on July 1.

Lawrence joins the University from Rider University, where she served as the inaugural vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion and chief diversity officer since 2021. She also was the first African American to serve as vice president at the cabinet level in Rider University’s 158-year history.

Prior to Rider, Lawrence served as vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion at Guilford College, where she held several administrative and academic roles.

Before her career in higher education, Lawrence was an NYPD police officer, investigator, and trainer; an assistant prosecuting attorney for the Marion County (Indiana) Prosecutor’s Office; and a training consultant for the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, the San Francisco County Court Youth Treatment and Education Center, and other juvenile and criminal justice programs and police departments.

Lawrence is a member of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, and the Association of Title IX Administrators. She earned her J.D. from the Indiana University School of Law, her MPA from Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, and her B.S. in criminal justice from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Princeton Review Recognizes University for Exceptional Faculty and Diverse Campus The Princeton Review included the University in its newest book, The Best 389 Colleges: 2024 Edition. The annual guidebook and college ranking lists are based on The Princeton Review’s surveys of 165,000 college students — more than 400 per school, on average — who rated their schools on dozens of topics, including school services, campus amenities, and aspects of college life. This is the eighth consecutive year the guidebook has featured the University as one of the top colleges and universities in the country.

Barbara J. Lawrence, J.D., M.P.A.

University’s Prison Education Program and Yale Prison Education Initiative Celebrate First Cohort of Graduates In 2021, the University joined the Yale Prison Education Initiative (YPEI), adding the ability to matriculate in two- and four-year degrees to incarcerated students and creating pathways for any released students onto the college campus. To date, YPEI and the University have facilitated over 500 unique enrollments in credit-bearing college courses for 70 incarcerated students with the involvement of more than 130 faculty members, staff, and graduate students. A summer 2023 commencement inside the MacDougallWalker Correctional Institution marked the first of the program and the partnership.

From The Princeton Review. © 2024 The Princeton Review. All rights reserved. Used under license.

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UNIVERSITY NEWS

NEWS

WELCOME CLASS OF 2027!

Held as part of the University’s Charge-In Welcome Experience this past August, Convocation was an interactive event that officially welcomed members of the Class of 2027 to the University community.

C E L E B R AT I N G S T U D E N T S E R V I C E

Bergami Family Summer Interns

President’s Public Service Fellows

As part of the Bergami Family Summer Internship Program, students participate in summer internships that enable them to network, apply what they learn in the classroom, and explore their passions. Now in its 12th year, the program is funded through the generosity of Board of Governors member and former Board Chair Sam Bergami ’85 EMBA, ’02 Hon.; his wife, Lois; and the Division of Student Affairs, where students receive stipends to support them throughout their unpaid internships. A reception recognized the 2023 cohort on September 12.

As part of the President’s Public Service Fellowship Program, students work with local nonprofit organizations over the summer, contributing their energy and talents while gaining valuable work experience and an awareness of the importance of being engaged in the community. Supported by the generosity of Henry ’91 Hon. and Nancy Bartels ’11 Hon., two of the University’s most generous benefactors, the program has impacted more than 250 students in its 25-year history. A reception recognized the 2023 cohort on September 18.

From left: Peter Porrello ’24; Timothy Strong ’24; Emily Bogdanovich ’23, ’24 MBA; Jessee Rilee ’24; Zara Armental ’24; Charlie Feliciano ’23; Simoy Dinnall ’24 (Not pictured: Lucas Agosto ’23)

Top row from left: Audra Theberge ’24, Toyin Folorunso ’24, Marcus Harvin ’25

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Bottom row from left: Faith Arcuri ’24, Nora Isabella Garcia Punin ’26, Brianna Myrie ’26

Hatfield Scholars Each year the John D. Hatfield Scholars Program recognizes up to three seniors and three juniors in the University’s Honors Program for their exemplary academic and civic achievements. Henry Bartels ’91 Hon. and his wife, Nancy ’11 Hon., established the program in 2004 in honor of the University’s first executive vice president, provost, and chief operating officer, John D. Hatfield. Phil Bartels ’11 Hon., and his wife, Susan, have continued the family legacy of philanthropy to the University by supporting the program. A reception recognized the 2023 cohort on September 18.

Top row from left: Christopher Protheroe ’25, Olivia Hall ’25, ’26 M.S. Bottom row from left: Gabrielle Picón ’24, ’25 MBA, Syrena Carver ’25 M.S., Anna Marcotte ’24, Aiyannah Lewis ’24

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UNIVERSITY NEWS

NEWS

A Year of Celebration Closing Fiscal Year 2023 on a High Note T O TA L C O M M I T M E N T S AND SCHOLARSHIPS

$12M Together, we raised $12 million during the past year, which included $7.3 million donated for new and existing academic programs and more than $2.1 million donated to scholarships and financial aid.

ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

chart-network

Strengthening our global alumni network benefits students and alumni alike.

The Alumni Association’s Board of Directors — 23 members strong — has refocused its mission to providing meaningful engagement and service to our students and alumni around the world.

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POWER IN NUMBERS

Nearly 2,700 individuals contributed to these accomplishments by making a total of 3,870 gifts during the past year.

Every gift, regardless of its size, plays an integral role in shaping our institution’s future.

ACADEMIC COLLEGE AND S C H O O L I N I T I AT I V E S

$1.5M Additionally, we raised $1.5 million to support various academic college and school initiatives.

This funding empowers innovation, research, and academic excellence across disciplines, creating a richer educational experience for our students.

Thanks to the collective efforts of Charger Nation, we achieved several milestones in fiscal year 2023 — which concluded on June 30 — that underscore the University’s dedication to excellence and the future of the institution. We are grateful for your continued commitment and belief in our shared vision.

Together we are shaping a brighter future for generations to come.

GENEROUS DONORS

gift

53 donors made gifts at $25,000 or above, collectively accounting for 78% of the total commitments raised this past year. The notable increase of 22 donors at this generous level over the previous year speaks volumes about the growing enthusiasm for the University’s initiatives.

AT H L E T I C S A N D C O M M U N I T Y ENGAGEMENT

Our support for Charger Athletics has been further demonstrated with just over $900,000 dedicated to enhancing our sports programs and the experience of our student-athletes and fans.

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UNIVERSITY NEWS

NEWS

The Love Initiative In 2023 Allen G. Love Jr. ’88, MPA ’90, Hon. ’23, established an experiential faculty-mentored student fellowship program, the Love Initiative, in conjunction with the Center for Analytics and the Financial & Cybercrime Fusion Center in the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences. The fund will provide stipends for faculty and students, known as the Love Fellows, as well as research support and other costs associated with the program.

The experiential research that emerges from the Love Initiative will culminate in a periodic industry trend report that will be available for the academic and financial crime prevention fields.

Mr. Love has been professionally involved with the money laundering and financial crime prevention field for over twenty years. A member of the University’s Board of Governors and the Presidential Search Committee, he was awarded an honorary doctorate at the 2023 Commencement ceremonies and gave the keynote address at the 2023 Convocation ceremony.

A Tribute to Coach Frank “Porky” Vieira

A Conversation with Cindi Bigelow

Coach Frank “Porky” Vieira has had an immeasurable impact on the lives of countless individuals who have had the privilege of being a part of his University of New Haven baseball teams. His unwavering dedication, passion for the game, and commitment to each individual’s personal growth transcended the field. In recognition of his invaluable contributions, the University has established an endowed scholarship in Coach Vieira’s name at the University of New Haven, where he left an indelible mark on both the Charger athletic program and the lives of his players.

This scholarship will serve as a lasting tribute to Coach Vieira’s extraordinary coaching career and his dedication to cultivating excellence, leadership, and character in his players. It will provide financial assistance to future studentathletes, enabling them to pursue their academic and athletic dreams. This endeavor ensures that Coach Vieira’s influence resonates with future generations.

As part of the University’s commemoration of Women’s History Month, the Women in Business Club and Women’s Leadership Council organized, conceptualized, and implemented a panel discussion with Cindi Bigelow, president and CEO of Bigelow Tea, a third-generation business based in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Bruce Barber, professional in residence and general manager for WNHU, the University’s award-winning radio station, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in June, moderated this live conversation. As part of the presentation, Bigelow discussed empowering women in today’s career climate. She spoke about several topics, including ethics and its role in nurturing a balance between professional and personal well-being and the power of earning what you want while providing as much as you can.

For more information, contact Brian Otis at botis@newhaven.edu.

To make a gift of any size, visit give.newhaven.edu.

University of New Haven Settlement If you were a UNH student enrolled in any UNH course as of March 24, 2020 (other than a non-matriculated high school student) and you did not opt out of the Settlement of Krystian Wnorowski, on behalf of himself and others similarly situated v. University of New Haven, Case No. 3:20-cv-1589 (D. Conn.), you will receive the one-time $200 Non-Cash Tuition Credit described in the Settlement if you enroll or have enrolled in a UNH course commencing in September 2023 or later. Go to www.unewhavensettlement.com for more information.

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NEWS

Research Roundup

Not Your Average Summer More than a dozen students took part in the University’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program, conducting impactful faculty-mentored research, gaining hands-on experience, and presenting their work to the University community.

BY RENEE CHMIEL

Hayat Khan ’25 dreams of becoming a doctor. As a chemistry major at the University of New Haven, he’s already conducting critical research that, he hopes, will make an impact on the lives of cancer patients.

As a member of the University’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program, Khan spent part of his summer in the laboratory conducting research using state-of-the-art

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equipment. The program enabled him to work under the guidance of his mentor, Hao Sun, Ph.D. Khan’s research focused on developing nanoparticles that would only target cancerous cells in a patient’s body. His hope was that this would help minimize the side effects, such as hair loss, of current treatments — including chemotherapy — that kill both cancerous cells and healthy cells.

In the laboratory, Khan endeavored to develop polydopamine-coated glycogen nanoparticles.

Glycogen, he explained, is nontoxic and biodegradable — therefore, he proposed it would be a safe alternative. His results were encouraging: Khan found that the synthetic development of this nanoparticle was, indeed, promising.

“The hope is that this would kill the cancerous cells and they wouldn’t grow again,” he explained while presenting his work to members of the University community. “This was a great opportunity for me. Using a photothermic camera was cool.

Finding the right temperature to kill cancer cells was very exciting.”

Khan was one of more than a dozen students who took part in the University’s 2023 SURF program. They recently presented their projects to the University community. The program included students of a variety of majors who chose topics

ranging from a study of TikTok’s online book community to the forensic examination of soils.

The immersive program enables Chargers to develop as researchers and scholars, designing and conducting projects and exploring all levels and aspects of the research process.

Those learning opportunities, says Lily Walsh ’24, are invaluable. She’d worked as a research assistant with her mentor, Amory Carr, Ph.D., for a year before beginning her SURF project. She was able to draw on the skills she’d already developed as a researcher while working on her project. SURF, she says, gave her the chance to develop the skills and confidence to be more independent with her research.

“I had experience with bits and pieces of the research process, but doing the whole project was so important,” explained Walsh, a psychology major.

“I learned to adapt and be flexible.”

Walsh’s research focused on the role of family violence in childhood on criminal thinking styles in adulthood. As she prepares to complete her degree at the end of the semester, she’s exploring research positions as well as advanced degree programs. She believes her SURF experience will open doors for her.

“Presenting my research was a great experience,” she said. “I’m grateful for the entire SURF program.

It’s rare for undergraduates to get to do a full

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RESEARCH ROUNDUP

“Not only do I now know how important research is, but I also have a solid appreciation for what happens behind the scenes when it comes to reaching scientific discoveries.”

SURF Summer 2023 Student

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research experience, and I’m so glad I had that opportunity.”

As part of their presentations, students discussed their research process as well as their goals and objectives. They also shared the challenges they faced and how they addressed them. They explained their findings and discussed what they learned from taking part in the program.

Some also said they planned to publish their findings in academic journals, present their work at conferences, and continue their research.

“It’s clear these researchers are resilient and excellent at handling challenges,” said Judy Randi, Ed.D., director of the SURF program. “I’m very proud of them. These presentations were all on a professional level.”

The opportunity to conduct this research under the mentorship of faculty enabled students to have support while they learned how to navigate challenges and the research process itself. That, says Bryan Cadavos ’24, a genetics and biotechnology major, was a critical component of SURF. Cadavos worked with mentors Chong Qui, Ph.D., and Shue Wang, Ph.D., as he examined the toxicity of methylamine (a derivative of ammonia) salts on mammalian cells. He says his mentors brought different backgrounds

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and perspectives — chemistry and biomedical, respectively — to the laboratory, which he appreciated.

While monitoring the cells, Cadavos saw the effect of methylamine salts after the first day. He saw how some cells grew and changed, and he noticed cell degradation. In many ways, what he found surprised him.

“That got me to where I experienced the ‘wow’ factor,” recalled Cadavos with a smile. “Working with my mentors was different from working in a lab as part of a class where there are other people.

This was one-on-one, and I value that a lot because I work better that way. I learned so much from my mentors that will be applicable to my future.”

Hayat, the chemistry major whose research focused on improving cancer treatment, said SURF was a great start to his career in research and in medicine. It brought many new and exciting experiences for him that he’s looking forward to continuing to draw on.

“Considering how treatments for the heart are more advanced than cancer treatment, which still ravages patients, this was a great first experiment,” he said. “This was amazing. It will have a big impact on me before I become a doctor treating patients of my own.”

ABOUT SURF The SURF Program provides opportunities for University of New Haven undergraduates from any major to design and conduct an in-depth research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Since its inception in 2007 the SURF program has supported almost 400 faculty-mentored student research projects.

Current and past projects are archived on the SURF web page. During the 10-week intensive summer research experience, SURF students become part of an extended learning community, conducting research under the guidance of their mentors, attending seminars, and forging connections with peers, faculty, graduate students, and SURF alumni who share their own SURF experiences as participants on the virtual SURF Alumni Panel. For information on the SURF Alumni Network, please contact surf@newhaven.edu.

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GA B R I E L A GA R C I A- P E R E Z ’ 2 3 , ’ 2 4 M . S . , A N D B R E N DA N S H A M A S ’ 2 2 , ’ 2 3 M B A

PUTTING THEMSELVES IN DEMAND he storied Green Bay Packers’ football coach, Vince Lombardi, was a committed evangelist of the idea that athletic competition requires as strong a mind as it does a body — highlighting the trait of leadership during his last speech before he died in 1970. One of Lombardi’s beliefs that has struck a chord with many people since was, “Contrary to the opinion of many, leaders are not born; they are made.”

Gabriela (Gabi) Garcia-Perez ’23, ’24 M.S. — who plays a different kind of football as a U New Haven soccer standout — dares to disagree. She believes many individuals are born to lead in the sense that they possess innate leadership potential capable of being cultivated by family, friends, community, and college.

Her classmate and fellow business major Brendan Shamas ’22, ’23 MBA, agrees with Garcia-Perez.

Both young adults seem to have been born with an enterprising spirit. They each started their own venture before even attending U New Haven and credit the University’s entrepreneurial ecosystem for nurturing and refining their respective visions. * Garcia-Perez has always wanted to lead. For a good part of her childhood, she wanted to be the president

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Gabriela Garcia-Perez ’23, ’24 M.S. is a dedicated student athlete with a fervor for community organizing and nonprofit initiatives. Deeply engaged in New Haven and university life, Garcia-Perez strives to create a positive social impact within her community. Holding a B.S. in Business Administration, she is now pursuing her M.S. in Finance after completing internships with The Boeing Company and The Connecticut Lieutenant Governor’s Office.

Brendan Shamas ’22, ’23 MBA is a business graduate of the University of New Haven with a master’s in business administration, concentrating in financial analysis.

He also holds a B.S. in Business Management with a minor in entrepreneurship and marketing. Shamas is an experienced business owner with a demonstrated history of working in the commercial drone piloting and photography industry. He has a strong passion for finance, market research and analytics, leadership, Excel, and public speaking.

of the United States. However, once she started looking at colleges and the programs they offered, she became interested in business management, thinking that was the best fit for her bootstrapper personality. “I also decided to pursue a minor in finance, which is why I’m now pursuing it as my master’s,” Garcia-Perez said. “I wanted to pick up skills that are not only going to make me marketable but help me become a leader in any industry I eventually choose.”

In high school, Garcia-Perez’s penchant for leadership culminated in the Community Integration Mentoring Program (CIMP), which she created to bring together Fair Haven students of different communities, ages, cultures, and backgrounds to learn from one another while cultivating a sense of community. “I started out with just two towns and then quickly expanded to five towns with over 70 students,” Garcia-Perez said.

Once at U New Haven, Garcia-Perez entered CIMP in the 2021 Alvine New Venture Pitch Competition, where she came in second place.

“After the competition, I was given mentorship for about ten weeks,” Garcia-Perez said. “The fact I was able to share this with the U New Haven mentors and they were able to give me advice and different

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I’ve been fortunate to have been exposed to so many great leaders in my life, whether in a family dynamic or a professional dynamic.”

I think leaders who get down in the middle of the work and show their employees they’re just as willing to work are the most successful.”

opportunities within the University that helped me develop my CIMP program was great.”

With one more season of soccer and two semesters of her master’s left, Garcia-Perez is contemplating her next career steps. She’s already completed two summer internships in the finance department of The Boeing Company and is looking forward to her third with them during the summer of 2024.

“I’ve been fortunate to have been exposed to so many great leaders in my life, whether in a family dynamic or a professional dynamic,” Garcia-Perez said. “I’d say leadership is something that comes from within, but I’m also grateful for the people who have helped me develop that skill. It’s definitely something I look to continue to develop over the years.” * When Brendan Shamas was a teenager, he became obsessed with drones — so much so that he made a deal with his father that if he did all the lawn work for an entire summer, he would be allowed to have one. Like many teenage hobbies, Shamas eventually lost interest, and the drone started collecting dust — until he found out people were making money with drones, especially in the construction field, where drone photography is

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used for site analysis, planning and design, and asset inventory.

After learning of the potential opportunities for drone pilots, Shamas decided to become an FAAcertified unmanned pilot and start his own company, BES Aerial Imaging. The company provides drone photography and videography for construction, residential, and commercial clients in Connecticut.

Like Garcia-Perez, Shamas presented BES Aerial Imaging at the 2020 Alvine New Venture Pitch Competition, winning first place. Shamas also acknowledges that his connections with family, friends, and community members have had an enormous impact on his success. “My father works for a general contractor in Connecticut, and he was my lead into the field,” Shamas said. “From there, I started getting more into the construction world, making connections, and learning the ropes — and everything else is history.”

Shamas completed his MBA in August 2023 and is currently in the job market. Thanks to the success of his drone imaging business, he can take his time sorting out his next career steps. “Although the commercial drone photography market has proven to be profitable, I am looking at pivoting into a job in the financial sector,” Shamas said.

“I’m currently applying to financial analyst positions and then hoping to explore other opportunities from there.”

Long term, Shamas sees himself in a leadership position, whether owning his own commercial real estate firm or becoming the CFO of a large, established company.

“I think the most successful leaders lead by example, and that’s somebody I want to be long term,” Shamas said. “I think leaders who get down in the middle of the work and show their employees they’re just as willing to work are the most successful.”

Shamas doesn’t have to wait until the next stage of his professional life to be a leader. He’s already gotten a taste of it while at U New Haven.

After he won the Alvine New Venture Pitch Competition, he became a Pompea Diplomat and would talk about the University and his experiences to prospective students. He has also served on the panels of various pitch competitions.

“I think the majority of my leadership experiences were repaying what people helped me with,” Shamas said. “So rather than just learning about entrepreneurship, I was helping people with the ins and outs of entrepreneurship.” •

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ANNA MERCALDI ’19

WHERE HARD WORK WORKS HARDER here are among us — perhaps too neatly divided but instructive nonetheless — those who let life come to them, and those who by force of personality, drive, and intelligence take the lead in shaping the world around them.

Anna Mercaldi ’19 clearly falls into the latter category.

Nearly five years removed from the University of New Haven, Mercaldi is now a senior engineer at Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, and is racking up impactful accomplishments at a breakneck pace. She exudes self-confidence and clear-eyed determination uncommon in someone so young, making her achievements even more remarkable.

Mercaldi is the eldest of three daughters and part of a family of educators. Her mother and father, Joanna and Michael, are a guidance counselor and a physical education teacher, respectively. Her sister Angela is a U New Haven junior engineering student, and her sister Alyssa teaches high school math. Mercaldi knew early on that she had a gift for mathematics and a passion for science. After excelling at the Sport and Medical Sciences Academy in Hartford and earning college credits through the University of Connecticut, she chose to attend U New Haven’s Tagliatela College of Engineering, where she could indulge her zeal for “problem-solving and the theoretical” by pursuing a chemical engineering degree.

“The attraction of U New Haven,” she says, “was the intimacy of the class sizes,” which resembled her experience at her specialized secondary school. “I knew my learning style; large lecture halls would not work well for me. It turned out to be the perfect choice.”

At U New Haven, Mercaldi began to fully realize her leadership skills and academic abilities. Her

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Anna Mercaldi ’19 is a senior engineer at Pratt & Whitney. Mercaldi graduated from the University of New Haven in 2019 with her bachelor’s in chemical engineering. In 2022, Mercaldi received her master’s in manufacturing and material process engineering from WPI. Outside of work, she serves as an engineering adjunct at the University of New Haven and enjoys the outdoors and time with friends and family. Mercaldi was born and raised in Connecticut.

achievements began to accumulate, setting the stage for her blossoming career. She capitalized on opportunities available to her, “begging professors for a lab position,” eventually landing with Dr. Kagya Amoako, associate professor of biomedical engineering, through the Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program. Amoako would become her mentor for the rest of her time at U New Haven.

She rose to a lead position in his lab, presented at conferences with him (including at the Connecticut NASA Space Consortium), and coauthored an academic paper with him.

She also was the recipient of a Bucknall Family STEM Scholarship, which, coupled with another presidential scholarship, covered her U New Haven tuition. Her work in residential life covered her room and board, allowing Mercaldi to graduate magna cum laude and debt free and affording her the opportunity to purchase not only her first townhouse but subsequently her current home in Newington, CT. In May 2019, Mercaldi joined Pratt & Whitney in their quality engineering development program

(QED), an intense two-year leadership rotational program. She was the first U New Haven graduate to earn acceptance into P&W’s QED and one of only 10 invited to participate annually. She rotated through different areas of the company, gaining experience and knowledge about various aspects of the aerospace giant’s business. She confidently states her U New Haven education “put me on a level playing field” with graduates from better known engineering programs. Gratitude for her education has led her to give back to the University in multiple ways, notably as an adjunct professor at Tagliatela and her recent election to the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

She proudly notes that her participation in P&W’s QED has opened a pipeline for other U New Haven grads. Along the way, she received her Six Sigma Green Belt for process improvement. Through the employee scholar program at RTX, she went back to graduate school full-time, while working full-time, to earn a master’s degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2022.

Her enthusiasm for her profession and her employer is trumped only by her passion for her volunteer leadership of Abled and Disabled Associates Partnering Together (ADAPT), a P&W employee resource group (ERG). Selected as a high-potential employee and leader, she oversees national and international ERG sites focused on recruiting, hiring, and onboarding neurodiverse individuals.

She helped form the Neurodiverse Work Experience Program, which won a Pratt & Whitney Leadership award earlier this year. A company Instagram post tells part of the story: “In 2021, Anna Mercaldi was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis [...]. At Pratt & Whitney, it’s our mission to foster an inclusive culture by promoting awareness

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My disability has taught me to never take a day for granted. I have learned to live in the moment, be patient with myself, and know, because I am a warrior, I will win this battle.”

and providing resources and support networks for employees like Anna. As part of National Disability Awareness Month, we are celebrating valued team members who are excelling in their roles despite individual disabilities.”

Mercaldi says, “My disability has taught me to never take a day for granted. I have learned to live in the moment, be patient with myself, and know, because I am a warrior, I will win this battle.”

Her father’s muscular dystrophy diagnosis is another important factor contributing to her passion for the 10–20 hours a week she devotes to ADAPT. “I’ve been a disability advocate my whole life,” she says, and her work at U New Haven as an academic peer mentor with students on the autism spectrum is further evidence of this advocacy.

What’s next for this high achiever?

“I worked hard to set up my career, and now it’s time to also invest in other areas of my life,” she says, a life she describes as simple, not extravagant. To her, investing in other areas of life means spending time with family, traveling, attending concerts (she’s a self-described “Swiftie” who has attended two Eras Tour events), spending more time at the gym, tasting new wines and foods, and enjoying the outdoors. •

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These students have already served the nation and sacrificed much for all of our benefit. Their commitment to duty and desire to serve is often still very present.

Now it’s up to us to help them grow and develop even further as they look to achieve their educational goals at the University of New Haven.”

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R YA N N O O N A N ’ 2 0 , ’ 2 3 M . S .

POWERING HIS PURPOSE or Ryan Noonan ’20, ’23 M.S., making sure student-veterans receive the support they deserve is not only important — it’s personal. He is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and respect for military-affiliated students and educating his fellow Chargers.

Throughout the summer and into the Fall 2023 semester, Noonan led numerous Green Zone Training sessions on campus, bringing together staff, faculty, and students for discussions that enabled civilian Chargers to better understand student-veteran perspectives. In a session he led for members of the University’s One Stop, which includes the offices of the Bursar, Financial Aid, and Registrar, Noonan showed staff a video clip to help them understand what it’s like to be in the military. Noonan then discussed veteran culture, something he understands from personal experience. In addition to being the University’s manager of military and veteran affairs, he is also a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and a two-time University alum.

“This training is something that is very dear to me and close to my heart because not only do I serve this student population, but I am also a member of this community,” he explained.

“As a student-veteran myself, I understand how important it is to have every student group well represented and supported.”

Student-veterans sometimes feel disconnected from “traditional” student populations, and Noonan hopes the training will break down barriers between them and faculty and staff. His goal for the training is to foster understanding, enabling everyone to connect and feel comfortable with one another.

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Ryan Noonan ’20, ’23 M.S., is a lifelong Connecticut resident. After graduating high school, Noonan enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served four years. He transferred to the University of New Haven in 2018 and earned a B.S. in National Security. He is working toward completing his M.S. in the same program.

Noonan was chosen to participate in the VA Work Study Program in January 2019 and was then hired as a student employee to continue developing and growing programs like Green Zone Training, the Veterans Advisory Board, and the Joint Forces Leadership Council.

As part of the training session for members of the University’s One Stop, Noonan led a discussion about language that might yield misunderstandings, explaining terms such as “disabled veteran” and “combat veteran.” While offering dos and don’ts for staff when connecting with student-veterans, he encouraged staff members to build rapport by asking appropriate questions — such as asking student-veterans about their branch of service.

Noonan also taught staff members how to properly address student-veterans (a member of the U.S. Army is called a soldier, for example).

“It is crucial for our staff and faculty members to have a solid foundation of understanding of certain aspects of student-veteran perspectives for us to provide the best experience and maximize their education,” Noonan said. “I hope Green Zone Training gives staff and faculty members the tools

to acutely assist and support our student-veterans, regardless of the challenges that may arise.”

A critical component of the training is to help faculty and staff better understand student-veterans’ backgrounds and to help them assist students in and out of the classroom. Training sessions cover topics such as navigating the GI Bill, possible misunderstandings stemming from communication, and adjusting to civilian life. Service members, for example, may be more used to direct language, Noonan explained, and they may also be reluctant to ask for help with their mental health.

The University’s One Stop was the first office on campus to officially be designated as “Green Zone Certified.” Noonan’s training is available to all offices and departments at the University. The program is also offered virtually. Attendees leave with information about resources and support services for students, including tips for how to best offer their support.

More than 200 students at the University identify as student-veterans or military-affiliated students. Noonan hopes the Green Zone Training will enable fellow Chargers to help them feel a sense of connection and belonging.

“Our goal in the Office of Military & Veteran Affairs is to assist and support our studentveterans and military-affiliated students as best we can with nothing less than the absolute best in customer service,” said Noonan. “These students have already served the nation and sacrificed much for all of our benefit. Their commitment to duty and desire to serve is often still very present. Now it’s up to us to help them grow and develop even further as they look to achieve their educational goals at the University of New Haven.” •

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C A R O LY N K I E L M A ’ 0 2 M . S .

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DEFINING HER FIELD

arolyn Kielma ’02 M.S. always knew she wanted to pursue a career in education.

As a college student at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania, Kielma began to envision her career as an educator. She changed her major from elementary education to biology, and she hoped to become a science teacher who instructed adolescents.

Even then, Kielma knew she had found her calling. She has excelled in the classroom, impacting countless students’ lives in her 20 years as an educator. A teacher at Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School in Bristol, Connecticut, Kielma’s work has also gained state and national attention. She was recently named the 2023 Connecticut Teacher of the Year and announced as one of five finalists for the 2023 National Teacher of the Year. Although one of Kielma’s fellow contestants ultimately received this award, the national recognition was incredibly meaningful to Kielma. “I was overwhelmed with gratitude,” said Kielma, who earned a master’s degree in education from the University of New Haven.

She continued, “I was so thankful to be able to bring this honor to my students, my district, and my state.

I was the first from my city to receive the state honor, so to move forward as a national finalist was just incredible.”

Passionate about teaching STEM courses, Kielma is in her first year teaching sixth grade science at Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School in Bristol, Conn. Previously, she taught sophomore biology and a biotechnology and forensics elective course for juniors and seniors at Bristol Eastern High School. There, she also served as the advancement via individual determination (AVID) coordinator and

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Carolyn Kielma ’02 M.S. is the 2023 Connecticut Teacher of the Year and a 2023 National Teacher of the Year Finalist. Since 2002, she has taught STEM courses in Connecticut and currently teaches sixth grade science at Bristol Arts & Innovation Magnet School. Kielma’s goal is to provide an inclusive environment where all students feel valued, accepted, and treated with equity as they explore science and innovation.

taught the AVID elective course. AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing students for college readiness and success, a mission Kielma wholeheartedly supports. She brought her AVID students from Bristol Eastern High School, many of whom were soon-to-be first-generation college students, to tour the University of New Haven, visiting as recently as fall 2022.

Kielma attributes her success in the classroom to her love of teaching. Her approach is shaped by her belief that learning isn’t about knowing the correct answer; rather, learning is the process of discovery.

She says that even if a student doesn’t remember the details of the Calvin Cycle of photosynthesis, she hopes they remember how she fostered discovery and curiosity while challenging them and creating a sense of belonging and acceptance in the classroom.

Her ultimate goal is to instill in them a love of learning. “My heart is in it,” she said. “I am emotionally connected to each student, and I want nothing more than to see them succeed and have pride in their

work. If they choose a path other than one in the sciences, I simply hope to instill in them the idea that they can accomplish something difficult if they have determination, ambition, and drive.”

As an award-winning educator, Kielma continues to be curious and eager to continue her own learning. She continues to enhance her teaching and strives to learn as much as she can from her fellow educators. She has been adapting her teaching style over the past two decades to incorporate new technologies, practices, and tips, and she continues to learn from and inspire her fellow educators.

“I believe teaching is not about one person, and I would not be the teacher I am today without all those who raised me as an educator,” she explains. “The only reason I could be deemed an outstanding teacher is because I am committed to absorbing the information and ideas of others and integrating them into my practice. I am still hungry to learn more and will never stop seeking to redesign the way I teach to be the best teacher I can be for my students and the community.”

As Connecticut Teacher of the Year, Kielma serves as a teacher-ambassador for public education and is committed to continuing to serve her profession and the students in her classroom.

“This is the career I was born to have,” she said. “I love to be able to help young people realize their worth, discover their strengths and weaknesses, and become better humans. What is most meaningful to me is the connections I am able to make with my students that reach far beyond the classroom walls. I get to help make better humans who can contribute in a positive way to our society.”•

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What is most meaningful to me is the connections I am able to make with my students that reach far beyond the classroom walls.

I get to help make better humans who can contribute in a positive way to our society.”

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It was fun to both work and compete with peers at my level.

I learned a lot about teamwork. ... I learned the importance of timing and communication.

But although I enjoyed the collaboration with the other students, I especially liked feeling challenged individually during our competitions!”

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NIGEL MORGAN

FUTURE READY

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igel Morgan, now in his first year at University High School of Science and Engineering in Hartford, Connecticut, was excited to participate in the 2023 Engineering Your Future Academy, one of several annual summer youth academies at the University of New Haven, this past July.

Each year, as part of this innovative and individualized summer program, participants spend a week as student-scientists on the University’s main campus, accessing the institution’s state-ofthe-art science and engineering facilities to gain hands-on experience with stem cells, microbes, DNA, modern biotechnologies, 3D printing scaffolds, and soft biomaterials. Their experience with chemical and biomedical engineering advances as students use fluorescent microbes to paint a piece of art on soft materials and design and print 3D scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Students also participate in various activities, including engaging in hands-on experiences with techniques for engineering soft and living materials, such as biomaterials, LB agar art, and slime; advancing the fundamental science and technologies of stem cells and tissue engineering; attending a workshop on the college application process and receiving advice on careers in biomedical and chemical engineering; and competing with other students for a chance to win a prize.

Below, Nigel shares more about his experience at the University and his dreams for the future. * What made you want to participate in the University of New Haven’s Engineering Your Future Academy?

I found the opportunity to explore scientific content really exciting. I have always been interested in science because I like experimenting with both new and old ideas. When I was younger, my parents would buy me science kits and products from Lego and VEX Robotics. I would spend hours building and modifying a design. When it came to studying science in school, I would come home and search the house for ingredients to recreate our classroom experiments.

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Nigel Morgan is a resident of Middletown, Connecticut. From a young age, it was evident that he was exceptionally intelligent, with a deep interest in science and mathematics. He endeavors to demonstrate #BlackExcellence daily.

Entering high school at age 11, his goal is to complete his Ph.D. by the age of 18 and visit all seven continents by age 24.

He enjoys #InternationalTravel, #ComputerCoding, #ScienceExperiments, and #UltimateFrisbee.

I am very good at coding (the tech side), figuring out formulae (the math side), and thinking outside the box (the experiment side). I actually won the school award for science in eighth grade.

What were some of your favorite lab activities?

One of the activities I enjoyed the most was when we painted shapes with different colored bacteria on special Petri dishes to create LB agar art. We also used electrophoresis to separate the DNA, RNA, and protein molecules in gel — using an electric current, we could actually see the molecules moving through the gel! I liked that these two activities let me learn more about both materials engineering (LB agar art) and also biotechnology (electrophoresis).

What was it like learning from University faculty experts and teaching assistants?

It was exciting because the faculty were really passionate and energetic about teaching. They had high expectations for all of us, and they challenged me to think critically. The teaching assistants were inspiring because, being closer to my age, they were great role models.

What did you learn about how scientists and engineers can make an impact in the world?

I learned that so many of the creations we see around us every day (such as buildings, different kinds of food, and technology) are possible because

of engineers and scientists. The power of the professions became real for me, and I gained a deeper appreciation for this work.

What was it like working and competing with your fellow student-scientists?

It was fun to both work and compete with peers at my level. I learned a lot about teamwork. When we did an activity with a robot measuring liquid that turned blue based on the ingredients. I learned the importance of timing and communication.

But although I enjoyed the collaboration with the other students, I especially liked feeling challenged individually during our competitions!

How did the camp inspire you to think about what you want to study in school and pursue as a dream career?

Even though I was only 11 years old when I attended this camp, I already had a deep passion for science and knew that I wanted to enter this field.

Participating in the camp solidified my goals and dreams. I left wanting to be more involved in the chemistry field of science. But I also love technology, and I am learning how to merge both. I want to meet more people who can help me learn about careers in chemistry and programming.

What is one piece of advice you would share with other young people your age who are in high school and thinking about their plans for the future?

That’s a tricky question because I have yet to encounter someone that is my age in high school!

However, I have a couple pieces of advice rather than one. First, I recommend that other young people always find a group of friends and peers at or higher than your level to challenge you. Second, find people who will support you and not put you down. Last, believe in yourself, and don’t give in to peer pressure. •

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LO R E N Z O M . B OY D, P H . D. ; L I S A DA D I O, M . S . , M S W ; A N D K A R L M I N G E S , P H . D. , M P H

BRINGING BETTER TO THE WORLD Lorenzo M. Boyd, Ph.D., is a nationally recognized leader in police–community relations and an authority on urban policing and diversity issues in criminal justice. The inaugural holder of the Stewart Professorship in Criminal Justice and Community Policing, Boyd has taught at the university level for 20 years. He received his Ph.D. in Sociology from Northeastern University, Massachusetts, his Ph.D. in Applied Sociology from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and his B.A. in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

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Lisa Dadio, M.S., MSW, retired from the New Haven Police Department in 2012 and has worked in higher education ever since. She regularly appears in local, regional, and national media, sharing her expertise on policing matters and criminal investigations. A three-time graduate of the University of New Haven, Dadio started the police academy a day after graduating with her master’s degree in forensic science and advanced investigations.

Karl Minges Ph.D., MPH, is an assistant professor and associate dean for research in the School of Health Sciences. A public health and health services researcher, Dr. Minges has published over 60 articles.

In January 2023 Dr. Minges’ leadership and contributions to public health were highlighted in Connecticut Magazine’s “40 Under 40” recognition. He also received the University’s Research Excellence award in 2023 and was selected as a University Research Scholar.

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he aftermath of a gun violence incident is full of emotion, mistrust, and continued danger.

“When someone gets shot, regardless of where it is in the country, the whole village goes to the hospital,” explained Lorenzo M. Boyd, Ph.D., holder of the Stewart Professorship in Criminal Justice and Community Policing at the University of New Haven. “All they want to know, typically, is who did it. And once they figure out who did it, then they can go exact revenge.

How we handle those crucial moments when everyone is really emotional is really important.”

Boyd is one of several faculty and staff at the University involved in a new initiative with the Henry C. Lee College for Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences and the School of Health Sciences that will research and develop new methods for managing these high-stress situations. Working with New Haven County hospitals, police departments, ambulance services, and community health centers, the initiative builds upon previously developed de-escalation training and further establishes the University as a leader in quality law enforcement training, gun violence prevention, and policecommunity relations.

To date, the University has received two rounds of federal funding totaling $2 million to support overarching community policing and violence prevention programming. In October 2022 the Center for Advanced Policing received a $1 million grant from the Department of Justice to support a de-escalation training program offered to police departments across the Northeast. Then, in March 2023, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal visited campus to announce $1 million in federal funding to support the more recent cross-disciplinary collaboration around preventing gun violence.

“The University of New Haven is known for being the place to go to get an education in the field of criminal justice and forensic science,” said Lisa Dadio, M.S., MSW, assistant dean of the Lee College and director of the University’s Center for Advanced Policing. “The faculty members involved in this project are experts in their field and are bringing that expertise to the city of New Haven to have an impact in reducing gun violence.”

The Healthcare Setting Positioning gun violence as a public health epidemic is at the heart of the program and the reason the criminal justice and health sciences schools partnered.

“We know we cannot have an impact on reducing gun violence without tackling it from

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different aspects, such as community-based health clinics and data-driven analysis,” said Dadio. “Both our community and its officers are impacted when a violent crime occurs.”

According to Karl E. Minges, Ph.D., MPH associate dean for research at the School of Health Sciences and assistant professor of public health, healthcare workers are on the front lines, along with law enforcement, in situations where gun violence occurs and must be treated.

“As a primary point of contact with community members, healthcare providers are in a unique position to influence gun violence reduction in highrisk communities,” he said.

“As the struggle to address health needs escalates, so does the demand on healthcare providers’ time and expertise. This is further exacerbated in vulnerable communities where multiple social determinants of health and other influences may be relevant, including the risk of gun violence.”

First steps in this component of the project include talking with emergency department staff to gather information and even recreate scenes to formulate more successful approaches to prevent further violence and injury after an incident.

Elements of the trauma-informed police training may be adapted to serve the unique needs of healthcare workers. The de-escalation training will be shared with facilitators who will then educate area hospitals on how to respond after a shooting.

Another focus is prevention work with outpatient facilities, ambulance services, and community health centers who see patients on a more regular basis and have formed relationships of trust. Information gathering will take place to seek the healthcare community’s perspectives on how to prevent gun violence from happening in the first place. Flyers, advertisements, posters, and patient–provider conversations can connect people to services if they’re feeling threatened or concerned about gun violence in their lives.

Police Trauma Training In May 2023 Boyd and the Center for Advanced Policing began delivering one-of-a-kind level three de-escalation training developed by the National De-Escalation Training Center (NDTC) to law enforcement agencies across the Northeast free of charge. Following a similar formula to the NDTC de-escalation curriculum, the group will create a trauma-informed police curriculum to “lower the temperature” in high-stress situations. While de-escalation uses techniques to change individual behavior from actively aggressive to a more normal

and manageable level, trauma-informed policing teaches officers to understand and appreciate the past experiences of people of color and build trust.

Campus-Wide Opportunity While the grant funding allows for hiring professional clinicians and staff to work as facilitators of the training and outreach, both undergraduate and graduate students will benefit from many opportunities, including paid work-study opportunities, internships, and opportunities to conduct research and independent studies.

“Experiential education is one of the hallmarks of the University. I don’t do any kind of research without students,” explained Minges. “They’re the future, right? And we’re doing unique things where they can be part of the process. It makes a lot of sense to think about the future generations and to be sure they are just as educated as we are to move the goalposts further along.”

Key Data Analysis The third layer in the grant program will aid the New Haven Police Department’s real-time crime center as it uses collected data to identify areas where gun violence is at its highest risk. Boyd explained that overlaying community health and sociodemographic statistics on top of crime data can help direct resources to areas with lack of primary care, food deserts, mental health stressors, singleparent households, poverty, etc. Students from across campus, and particularly those in the Center for Analytics, can apply to be trained to work with the crime center and enter as interns and volunteers.

A Bigger, Better Picture “There is a community outcry from all neighborhoods in New Haven,” said Minges. “People are desperate for positive action to be taken to address gun violence.”

Minges, Boyd, and Dadio are grateful for the grant funding allowing this multipronged approach to violence reduction to begin. The many points of expertise will lead the way in recognizing and addressing community trauma and social factors while improving the relationship between the public and the police and ultimately yield more community cooperation in gun violence investigations and prevention.

“Both de-escalation and gun violence prevention work have common goals,” said Dadio. “De-escalation work makes sure the police force is better served, and gun violence prevention work makes sure the community is better served.” •

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SHEAHON ZENGER, PH.D.

BUILDING AND LEADING A LIFE YOU LOVE

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n one of my favorite essays, “These Things I Wish” — published by Lee Pitts in 1995 and later popularized by radio show host Paul Harvey in 1997 — Pitts writes, “These things I wish for you — tough times and disappointment, hard work, and happiness.”

What I love most about this message is that Lee is shining light on a harsh reality — to become the person you are meant to be, you will need to move through times of adversity. I take that one step further. It’s not only about meeting adversity once it’s at your doorstep. It’s about seeking out those opportunities to rise above and the meaning that you make out of those experiences. That, in essence, is my fundamental belief system when it comes not only to life but also to leadership.

Finding happiness and fulfillment first in yourself, and then setting that tone as a leader who inspires others to buy in to your vision, starts with getting uncomfortable. And particularly in Western culture today, we are often conditioned to look for shortcuts.

Ultramarathoner and author Dean Karnazes spoke to this in an interview for Outside Magazine, stating, “We think that if we had every comfort available to us, we’d be happy. […] What I’ve found is that I’m never more alive than when I’m pushing and I’m in pain, and I’m struggling for high achievement, and in that struggle, I think there’s a magic.”

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As interim president, Sheahon Zenger, Ph.D., is the public-facing community leader of the University, overseeing many of the day-to-day operations and interfacing with the student community. Additional responsibilities include University branding, revenue generation, and implementation of the University’s strategic plan. Dr. Zenger has nearly 40 years of experience in administration, development, coaching, and academia. Prior to joining the University, he held significant leadership roles in higher education, including as an assistant to the chancellor at Texas Christian University.

At the University of Kansas, where he worked for eight years as director of athletics and led one of the most successful Division I athletics programs in the country, he had responsibility for 350 staff members and a budget that grew from $69 million to approximately $100 million, and he oversaw the construction of nine new buildings and stadiums. Across all positions, Dr. Zenger has raised nearly $400 million with demonstrated success in negotiating major corporate contracts and building relationships with private donors.

When I’m looking to cultivate that same sense of adventure, whether in my personal life or as a leader, I think it’s important to look to those who have gone before you. But even more important, you should look outside of your area of interest — beyond the obvious and the sense of celebrity — to people in all walks of life who, like Karnazes, have done hard things. In my opinion, if it’s difficult, then you know you are on the right path. What is the best way to cultivate this resilience within yourself? Do as Rudyard Kipling advises in his poem, “If,” where he writes, “If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same…”

There is much we can learn from society’s renewed interest in stoicism and experts like Ryan Holiday who highlight the importance of both overcoming obstacles and sitting in stillness.

That said, to embody this successfully as a leader, you have to have the right tools. You have to be, as I often describe, assignment correct, fundamentally sound, and mentally tough. And there is no better way to cultivate these abilities than to ask for help.

I think I’m pretty good at looking in the mirror and seeing what my strengths are and what they are not and then surrounding myself with people who support my weaknesses. Research shows that you are about as successful as your five closest

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I can’t say it enough — be authentic. That’s what our world needs most now, from us as individuals and from our leaders. If I’m not going to be authentic now, when I have a chance to help impact these young lives, then when will I be?

That would be my biggest regret.”

friends — spiritually, physically, mentally, socially, financially. Given that the average American is estimated to spend one third of their life at work, I would argue the same might be said about your five closest colleagues or team members. You can’t extricate any leadership discussion from the topic of relationships. Intentionally put yourself around people and build teams that make you better, and your entire organization will benefit.

What I’ve expressed so far philosophizing about leadership — as with everything in life — is about choice: the choice to seek out adversity, to see happiness and fulfillment as a journey and not an outcome, to get uncomfortable and buy in to the long game, and to go out in search of adventure and people who challenge you. Speaking to this idea that everything is choice, Matthew Kelly, author of “The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day With Passion and Purpose,” writes, “It is a great truth because it reminds us of our power. Not power over others, but the often untapped power to be ourselves and to live the life we have imagined.” Too many leaders try to control instead of building consensus. It’s the ability to look first within and lead from that place of authenticity that allows you to, as Kelly describes, “learn to master the moment of decision and […] live a life uncommon.” Or to bring this full circle, to lead a life — and an organization — uncommon.

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Although much of what I’ve described is about an individual approach, any discussion about leadership, for me, needs to touch on the notion that each of us is standing on the shoulders of others, which is, in a nutshell, the epilogue of Malcolm Gladwell’s book “Outliers” — one of my favorite books on nontraditional leadership. I’ve given this book as a gift quite often to guests and visitors who’ve come to meet with me at the different places I’ve worked. This is of course about your family of origin, but also your family at large and the people you’ve interacted with in more meaningful ways over the course of your life — your teachers, coaches, spiritual advisors, and mentors. I’ve been fortunate to have great examples of strong leadership with both of those buckets.

I’m one generation off the farm. My parents were farm kids. The way off the farm for my mother and father was through higher education and becoming teachers and then more higher education and becoming professors. Education is in my blood. It is who I am.

I can’t separate myself from that storyline, and that’s what I love most about the University of New Haven. They might not have grown up on a farm in Kansas, but none of these young adults has a silver spoon in their mouth. Our students all have an origin story that drives them to want more. And that’s always been my passion, whether as athletics

director or now as interim president, to put both bricks and mortar and programming in place that allow our students to become the best versions of themselves, both in and out of the classroom, to become the leaders they were born to be.

People have called me “unorthodox” most of my life, and I agree. When I say I am unorthodox, there is a blend. I am a football coach who is an English major. I have a master’s degree in journalism and mass communications. I have a Ph.D. in educational policy and leadership with an emphasis in history.

I, like our students, am a dichotomy. And I do as I would advise them to do: lean into this dichotomy.

I can’t say it enough — be authentic. That’s what our world needs most now, from us as individuals and from our leaders. If I’m not going to be authentic now, when I have a chance to help impact these young lives, then when will I be? That would be my biggest regret. •

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ALUMNI NEWS

From the Alumni Association

Strengthening Alumni Connections Beyond Campus

2023–2024 ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Reece Gleadle ’14 Vice President Leah Myers ’18 Secretary Meghan Kelly ’10, ’13 M.S. Treasurer Ronald Pierce II ’16 . Djuana Beamon ’08 MBA

Hi Charger Family,

. Scott Brazis ’83

My name is Reece Gleadle, and I am honored to be stepping in as your Alumni Board of Directors president. I’d first like to thank those who forged the path before me, especially our most recent president, Dawn Alderman. She led our Board through some challenging and confusing times with grace, confidence, and joy that I hope to emulate in the years ahead. I am grateful for her hard work and making this a smooth and seamless transition.

. Pasquale Cassella ’94 M.S.

For those who don’t know me, I would like to introduce myself. I am a mom, wife, and 2014 grad from the Tagliatella College of Engineering. I’ve been working as a technology consultant for Accenture since I graduated. During my time at the University I was a member of the Women’s Track & Field and Volleyball teams, a resident assistant, a caller in the Call Center, a Society of Women Engineers president, and a USGA Class of 2014 sergeant at arms. I now live in Kirkland, Washington, in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Still, all of these affiliations keep me closely connected to the University of New Haven.

. George Melanson ’83

. Joseph Cieplak ’72 . Frank Harper ’79, ’85 M.S., ’85 MBA . Darryl Mack ’91 . Christopher McWilliams ’93 . Lindsay Melanson ’13 . Anna Mercaldi ’19 . Nicole Pacapelli ’14, ’16 MBA . Hannah Providence ’22 . Ben Robert ’81, ’83 MBA . Eric St. Amand ’15

“I have accumulated a fantastic family through our University and want to provide that same level of connection for others.”

That leads me to my primary objective as your president. As someone no longer colocated at the University, I am passionate about finding ways to keep alumni engaged with the University, especially those at a distance. I have accumulated a fantastic family through our University and want to provide that same level of connection for others. Our Alumni Association has already started this effort with our City Tours, so please watch for more upcoming events.

. Michael Spaziani ’99 . Richard Steeves ’77, ’80 MBA . Michelle Stephens ’17 . Colin Weber ’17

S TAY C O N N E C T E D

@UNewHavenAlumni

I am always open to feedback or a conversation, so please do not hesitate to reach out.

Here’s to a great year ahead!

@UNewHavenAlumni

Sincerely, @UNewHavenAlumni

Reece Gleadle ’14 President, University of New Haven Alumni Board of Directors

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University of New Haven Alumni Association

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ALUMNI NEWS

Events

Charger Nation gathered at North Campus to celebrate before the big game.

Charger spirit was on full display to kick off Homecoming Weekend 2023.

Alumni explored the University and saw firsthand how it has grown.

The rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the Chargers Marching Band.

The Alumni Association’s exclusive Alumni Tailgate Party featured a Chargers swag giveaway.

Chargers enjoyed connecting with friends — old, new, and furry! — during the tailgate festivities.

Homecoming Weekend 2023 Homecoming 2023: #TheBlueout was about friends, food, and football — and so much more. It was a fun and meaningful way for Chargers to reconnect with former classmates, make new friends, and celebrate what brings them all together: a shared sense of pride in being a Charger.

The University community cheered on the Chargers as they faced off against St. Anselm on the gridiron.

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SPORTS DESK

Highlights

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HIGHLIGHTS

Chargers Football Are Northeast-10 Conference Champions circle-arrow-left Outscoring Bentley 10-0 in the fourth quarter, the football team went on to defeat the Falcons 24-17, earning the program’s fifth Northeast-10 Conference Championship and second in the past three years. By virtue of winning the Northeast-10 Championship, the football team earned its 10th berth into the NCAA Division II National Championship field and played its opening round game at the University of Charleston, West Virginia.

Women’s Golf Program Earns Inaugural Conference Championship Title Under the leadership of Head Coach Matt Ward, the women’s golf team earned its first ever Northeast-10 Conference Championship in just the second year since the program made its debut as a varsity team. In winning the conference title, the Chargers have earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Super Regionals that will take place next spring. Congratulations to Coach Ward and the members of the women’s golf team — Hannah Catallo-Stooks, Sofia Cova, Erin Earl, Wynter Flores, Mackenzie Gardner, Abigail Hepler, Danielle Jastrab, Sophia Silva, and Isabella Thomas.

Women’s Volleyball and Women’s Tennis Celebrate a Successful Fall The Chargers volleyball and tennis teams also saw success during the fall season, earning a share of their respective Northeast-10 Conference Regular Season Championships.

The women’s tennis team went on to advance to the Northeast-10 Championship semifinals after finishing the regular season with a 7-1 record. The regular season title for the volleyball team is the 10th in program history and the first since 2018.

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POWER PERSPECTIVE

The rest of the world will say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

But some of us were born for more.

Some of us were born to engage.

To activate.

To power on.

Some brought us light.

Some brought us the miracle of flight.

Some brought us the very freedom we have to discover these things.

But they all had one thing in common: they would not be extinguished.

A light switched on in them that could never be turned off.

And the world benefited.

So go ahead. Fix what isn’t broken.

Tinker, and alter, and update.

And if anyone has a problem with that, We’ll be here waiting.

University of New Haven Power On.

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POWER ON

COMING SPRING 2024

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Alumni Magazine 300 Boston Post Road West Haven, CT 06516

Giving Day April 23, 2024 Join Charger Nation on April 23, 2024, to celebrate our incredible students and faculty. Together we can make a difference and help foster tomorrow’s pioneers in engineering, business, science, the arts, and healthcare.