E-NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS

Update from President Kaplan to the Charger Community

Dear Alumni and Friends,

The last several weeks have presented us with both unprecedented challenges and extraordinary opportunities. Our University community has mobilized to smoothly transition our nearly seven thousand students to remote instruction and numerous online resources, stepped forward to provide critical assistance to local emergency responders, and developed new and innovative ways to assist each other during this time of uncertainty.

I am particularly inspired by the extraordinary efforts of members of Charger Nation who are applying their wide-ranging experiences and expertise to make a difference.

For instance, take alumna Caitlin Sculley ’15 MHA. A graduate of our highly regarded Master of Healthcare Administration program, she has been appointed the acting operations director of Yale New Haven Hospital’s COVID-19 specimen collection testing center. Then there is biomedical engineering professor Kagya Amoako and graduate student Anthony Iovene ’21 MS, who, in just a matter of days, determined a way to use a 3D printer to create flow connectors that would enable one ventilator to be used to support two patients.

These are but two examples of many that fuel my overwhelming sense of appreciation and admiration for all that our Charger family is doing to give back, create hope, and impact their communities and the lives of others.

I fully realize the impact of this pandemic is far-reaching and vast. We have shown, though, that when we come together as a University community there are no boundaries on what we can achieve. It is in this spirit that we launched the Charge Ahead Student Support Fund in an effort to raise urgent financial assistance for our students for such necessities as remote learning technology, food, housing, medical expenses, and other emergency needs. I hope you will consider making a contribution to help those who need our support at this time.

Ultimately what fuels my optimism is the commitment I have long seen from our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends to give selflessly of themselves to help others in need. I very much look forward to the opportunity when we can all come together again to celebrate our incredible resilience and the role we all played in helping each other overcome the many challenges we have confronted. Meanwhile, I encourage you to remain resolute and to be unwavering in your belief that we will return stronger than ever.

With best wishes,

Steven H. Kaplan
President

NEWS & EVENTS

University Providing Housing for Local First Responders

As local public safety professionals work to keep the community safe during the COVID-19 outbreak, the University of New Haven is doing its part to help support their efforts by offering critically needed temporary housing in its residence halls for emergency personnel from West Haven and New Haven.

University of Community Mobilizes to Address Impact of Coronavirus

Since the University made the decision for students to finish the remainder of the semester remotely in response to the global coronavirus pandemic, students, faculty, and staff have come together to ensure a sense of continuity, support, and community. To learn about how you can support the urgent needs of our students, please visit newhaven.edu/chargeahead.

Caitlin Sculley '15 MHA on the Front Line of Local Response to Coronavirus Pandemic

Alumna and adjunct professor Caitlin Sculley ’15 MHA has taken on a critical role in helping to respond to the impact of the coronavirus global pandemic and in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Appointed as the acting operations director of Yale New Haven Hospital’s COVID-19 specimen collection center, Sculley believes her charge as a healthcare professional far transcends her day-to-day – and ever-evolving – responsibilities. A graduate of the University’s Master of Healthcare Administration program, Sculley believes the real-world experiences she gained as a student – including an internship at a federally qualified health center – prepared her for her current role.

Mya Case '22: Putting the Unexpected
into Perspective

Softball shortstop Mya Case '22 was hoping to follow up a freshman season that included All-Region, First Team All-Conference, and All-Rookie accolades and a trip to the NCAA East Region Championships with an even better season in 2020. That plan, however, was curtailed when she and more than 100 University of New Haven spring student-athletes had their season cut short after two weeks of competition due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. Case talks about the disappointment of having her season pulled from beneath her and the daily modifications she has made to adjust to the new reality she and all of us are facing during these challenging times.

Alumna Ivy Watts '15 Embraces Challenge of Eliminating Stigma Around Mental Health

Ivy Watts ’15 was a star on the track and in the classroom. Still, she battled anxiety and the fear she was falling short of expectations. Today, she is a sought-after mental health advocate who shares her story to help others discover the path to mental wellness. Passionate about helping others and promoting mental health wellness, Watts started a blog called Beautifully Simply You because she didn’t want others to struggle in silence like she had. She wanted to encourage others to see that they are "beautifully, simply amazing, just the way they are."

Free Webinar: How to stay engaged, productive, and motivated in a work-from-home world

The world turned upside-down in the span of a week. For the first time, students and professionals in every industry are being forced to work from home. Brian Miller, an international speaker, author, and consultant on human connection, will be the facilitator for the webinar. Topics include how to avoid burnout and feelings of isolation during social distancing, productivity while working from home, and best practices for video conferencing. You'll also discover and practice his coveted E.A.R.S. system, a comprehensive four-step approach to connecting with anyone. Wednesday, April 1 from 3-4:30 p.m.

VIEW MORE

Read more University news and learn more about our upcoming alumni events, including the rescheduled Centennial Ball on October 17 and Homecoming Weekend on November 6-8!

ALUMNI RESOURCES

Did You Know?

All graduates of the University of New Haven are automatically members of the University of New Haven Alumni Association, a community of more than 60,000 alumni. Your membership entitles you to a variety of benefits and services. We encourage you to take advantage of these exclusive alumni offers.

Submit Your Tributes to Becky Johnson

After 40 years with the University of New Haven, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Rebecca “Becky” Johnson will retire at the end of this academic year. Since joining the University in 1980 as Director of the Student Center, Becky has taken on many important and influential roles across Residential Life, Student Life, and Student Affairs. She was named Dean in 2003, Associate Vice President in 2009, and Vice President in 2016.

We invite you to share a memory or well wishes with Becky through our online submission site. The wishes will be gathered and presented to her in a memory book. We thank you in advance for taking the time to share your thoughts with Becky.

Dell Computers Discount

Working from home, and in need of some new hardware? The University of New Haven has a partnership with Dell computers to provide discounts to our alumni. You can save up to 30 percent off select systems, plus free shipping on orders of $699 or above.

E-Newsletter Giveaway

To celebrate the University's 100th year, we're giving away this Centennial car magnet to one lucky alum! The winner will be announced in next month's e-newsletter.

Congratulations to Emily Baker '19, who won a University of New Haven Centennial baseball cap in last month’s giveaway.

Subscribe to More Charger Nation News

Want more news from the University of New Haven sent directly to your inbox? Charger Nation News – a University e-newsletter different than the one you are reading now – is sent out twice a month. It includes the latest news from campus and provides an inside look at the work of our students and the life of the University.