A Newsletter Celebrating Mitchell College Alumni | Fall/Winter 2024 | | ACADEMIC FOCUS ON REAL-WORLD SKILLS | |
New Nursing Program
Mitchell College held a ribbon-cutting event for The Edward and Mary Lord Nursing Simulation and Skills Laboratory in Bingham Hall. This is the hub of learning for our new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, which will launch in Fall 2025. Local news coverage of the ribbon cutting can be found on the WTNH website.
Details about this exciting new program can be found on our website.
| | The ribbon is cut on the nursing SIM Lab on December 6. | |
Academic Major Shifts
As Academic Affairs sharpens the focus on workplace-ready education, the faculty have approved some curricular changes. Two majors have been sunsetted: the B.S. in Hospitality Management and the A.S. in Computer and Data Information Systems. Hospitality Management will remain as a minor and as an optional specialization within the Business Management degree.
The Communication major is getting a name change to Digital Communication and is designed to prepare the next generation of dynamic, adaptable, and culturally aware communication professionals. With a hands-on, high-impact curriculum, this program empowers students to tackle real-world challenges while mastering the art of crafting and sharing impactful messages. Students will work on social media campaigns and digital analytics, produce audio and video content, and practice industry-relevant skills necessary for tomorrow's digital communication jobs. Students will be able to choose from two tracks: Digital Media and Digital Communication Strategies. Several new courses have been or will be developed, including Intercultural Communication and Understanding Social Media. Many thanks to professors Elyse Gessler and Luke Walden for all their work to update the Comm major!
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FACULTY PROFILE
Prof. Mauro Brings Mitchell to Washington, D.C.
On September 21 Professor Jennifer Mauro '00 accompanied her daughter-Kianna Foster-Mauro, the 2024 Connecticut Teacher of the Year, to a Back-to- School Night program on the lawn of the White House. Prof. Mauro brought a picture of her Adolescent Development class to proudly post alongside pictures representing classrooms throughout the United States.
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STUDENT PROFILE
Psychology Student Brings Experience to Empower Others
Ryan DeCosta '26 embodies the Mitchell College tradition of living an authentically powerful life as both a student and a youth engagement coordinator with the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC). He credits both roles as helping him to "learn lessons, build friendships, and increase my knowledge to fight for social justice, including disability rights, LGBTQ+ rights, suicide prevention, mental health services, and policy change”.
Read more about Ryan's important work.
| | | BUSY FALL FOR MITCHELL COLLEGE | | |
Celebrating 85 Years in Style
The Mitchell College community and supporters came together Saturday, October 5, to celebrate “85 Years of Creating Radical Possibilities” at Foxwoods Resort Casino. Approximately 200 guests—friends of the college, sponsors, alumni, parents, students, faculty, and staff—attended the gala in support of scholarships for Mitchell College students.
While the evening included an elegant cocktail reception and plated dinner, the highlight of the program was the speakers and their stories. Four Mitchell College students shared their personal accounts of success built on the support they have received at Mitchell. Special guest Maya Moore, an amputee, model, and disability advocate, spoke about her personal journey as a cancer survivor and shared her struggles and triumphs as a young disabled woman committed to honoring her authentic self.
Pictures from the evening are found in the slideshow below.
| | | Fall Weekend 2024 Welcomes Alumni Home | |
We had a picture-perfect, fabulous Fall Weekend 2024. It was wonderful to welcome more than 300 guests of families, alumni, neighbors, and friends over three days to participate in 20 separate activities and opportunities to engage on campus. From the inspiring Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and tailgating fun, to cheering current and alumni athletes in five separate games, singing together at the Performing Arts Cabaret and enjoying the smooth Jazz Brunch and Mitchell Old Boy Rugby "That Boy" Tournament, our entire Mitchell College community was showcased in spectacular fashion. More pictures of the weekend are in the slideshow below.
We look forward to seeing YOU next year. Please save the date as we will gather on September 26-28, 2025.
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Honoring Our Student Trailblazers
On November 13 Student Engagement and First-Year Experience hosted a First-Generation Panel and Recognition Ceremony. The panel was comprised of alumni, administrators, students, and staff. First-year, first-generation students were honored with a compass and an acknowledgment of their courageous journey. Mitchell College continues to support nearly 53% of our students who are the first generation in their family to attend college.
| | STAY UP TO DATE WHEREVER YOU ARE | |
Podcasts To Keep You Connected to Campus and Beyond
Keeping Up With The Mariners Hear what current Mitchell College students are wondering about and working on by tuning into the latest Student Engagement Podcast, hosted by Student Engagement Marketing Coordinator Duneshka Vazquez '25.
Mitchell Made Produced by alumni Megan Roche '13 and John McGowan '14, this new podcast provides a glimpse into how Mitchell College has shaped the lives of alumni even after leaving campus. We invite you to share your story. Contact us to submit an idea for an episode. You may end up featured on the next Mitchell Made.
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Mitchell Hub–New Partnerships and Programming
Over the past few months, the Mitchell Hub has formed partnerships with employers to provide training to employees through co-branded, dedicated catalogs and seminars. Partners represent various industries (manufacturing, finance, and healthcare) and represent an expanded presence of Mitchell College in our regional community and the importance of Mitchell's transformational learning approach throughout the lifetime.
We have also launched our 'neuroequity' catalog to increase understanding and inclusion of the variety of ways people think, communicate, and work. The catalog includes an introductory course (Defining Neurodiversity) applicable to all audiences and a professional development course (Neuroequity in the Workplace). Both can be taken individually as a self-paced course. We can also offer a seminar version with a group of learners taking the course at the same time with regular discussion sessions with an experienced facilitator. Through the seminars, the Hub can align the course with specific interests and needs.
Contact Karen Bellnier to explore a partnership with the Hub.
More information on Employer Solutions and Neuroequity courses can be found at https://hub.mitchell.edu
| | MITCHELL COLLEGE ATHLETICS | | From Hall of Fame to Alumni Games, Fall Weekend Had It All | | Welcome Home, Hall of Fame Inductees
The Mitchell College Athletics Hall of Fame celebrated a new era and a new class of inductees during Fall Weekend 2024. A sold-out crowd gathered in The Red Barn on Friday, October 25, as the first class of the Mitchell College Athletics Hall of Fame in 18 years joined the ranks of standout student-athletes enshrined in the Mitchell College history books. Inductees included eight former student-athletes, one coach, and one team: Alvin Young '97 and Joshua Ford '15 of men's basketball, Gina Derosier (Lindberg) '06 and Sarah Craft (Kill) '01 of women's basketball, Kyle Hartenstein '18 and J.R. Chiappone '93 of baseball, Chris Mackinnel '07 and Dean Roberts of men's soccer, along with the 2010 women's soccer team. | | Coach Dean Roberts
Men's Soccer | | |
Kyle Hartenstein '18
Baseball
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Joshua Ford '15
Men's Basketball
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Chris MacKinnel '07
Men's Soccer
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Dina DeRosier Lindberg '06
Women's Basketball
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Sarah Craft Kill '01
Women's Basketball
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Inductee Alvin Young '97
Men's Basketball
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Inductee J.R. Chiappone '93
Baseball
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2010 Women's Soccer Team
Honoring the entire team that captured the NECC Championship, the first in Mitchell history, and earned the first berth into the NCAA Tournament for the school in the Division III era. Among the members of the team in attendance: Ashlee Pekar Boggs, Leslie Briggs, Brittany O'Neil Eckert '12, Paige Ehnot Eshou'11, Nikki Hoxie Fortin '12, Caley McClendon Gelsomino, Lauren Fritsch Harris '13, Coach Damian Houlden '07, Shannen Pelletier Kennawi '12, Katie Mackie '14, Katelynn Mackie McGinn '14, Amanda Hernandez Montanino '13, Marjorie Oliveira '11, Rebecca Tabak Roberts '13, Malorie Klieber Saccone '13, Melissa Coe Sheehan '12, Kaylee Woodford.
| | Softball Alumni Come Home | | |
Batter up! Alumni from multiple eras had a ball catching up with one another and taking a crack at pitches from Coach Kaitlin Thibodeau-Corey '21 on a beautiful Fall Weekend Saturday.
Some of the alums who made it back to the diamond to mingle with current student-athletes included: Laurissa Amaker '21, Danielle Autieri '18,
Meghan Burke '13, Reanna Clark '20, Krista Guidebeck '22, Hannah Lemke '24, Katelyn Lipsky '24, Shannon O'Neil '16, Maliah Pabellon '21, Dylan Riccardi '15, Tricia Tomaselli '14.
Contact Coach Thibodeau-Corey to help plan or play in next year's game.
| | | Baseball Alumni Touch Base | | |
Alumni and current players shared the diamond on Fall Weekend for laughs and bragging rights. Coach Shawn Gilblair noted, "The best part was seeing the two groups interacting with each other throughout the day. The current players thanking the alumni for all their dedication and sacrifice to help make the program what it is today."
It was great to have everyone back in New London and sliding into "home!"
Joining the team and reliving their glory days were alums: Jeff Nicolosi '22 (current assistant pitching coach with the program), Dougie Delacruz '23, Robbie Delacruz '24, Kevin Vining '24, Connor Dulin '21,
Jeremy Sagun '21, Bryce Bedard '21, Robby Fusari '22, Brandon Gennotti '19 (current Area Coordinator for Thames and Residential Student Support), and Owen Robbins '24.
Contact Coach Shawn Gilblair to help plan or play in next year's game.
| | | Men's Basketball Alumni Bounce Back to New London | | |
Alumni spanning three decades of Mitchell College basketball took to the court over Thanksgiving Weekend 2024 with past standouts even bringing and future Mariner dribbles to the hardwood. Nothing but good swish-es from this group!
Among those showing off their still sharp skills were: David Andrade '06, Chris Brown '07, TJ Smith '07, Joshua Ford '15, Donavan McLean '17, Anthony Epps '17, Nana Nkrumah '18, Matt Finke '20, Hasani Williams '20, Connel Henderson '21, Tyler Peretz '22, Mikey Buscetto '23, Hunter Baillargeon '22, Jalen Benson '23, Jake Tully '22, and Eric Murray '10.
Contact Coach Todd Peretz to help plan next year's gathering of basketball greats.
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MITCHELL PRIDE, FAR AND WIDE
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We love seeing Mitchell College pop up in both familiar and unexpected places. Please send us a picture of you repping Mitchell College to alumni@mitchell.edu. We will highlight your alumni travels in future editions of The Mitchell Seal.
Need gear? Get it here if you can pick it up on campus or at MitchellGear.com to have it shipped. Snag your Mitchell Mariners athletic gear here.
Have news to share? Share your milestones with us, such as births, graduations, marriages, moves, and new jobs! Please include your contact information when you submit.
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Alumni Milestones
Jared LaFosse-Baker '15 married Rebecca LaFosse-Baker on October 27, 2024. Rebecca is a mental health counselor and Jarred is employed by the State of New Hampshire and runs his own business as a concert photographer/merchandise and tour manager for various bands.
Corrine Wilson '22 Moved to Pennsylvania and began a new job as Director of Memory Care / Life Enrichment at an assistant living for memory care residents.
The Latest from LinkedIn
Jennifer Gross '15 has taken a job as an Employment Specialist at Goodwill of Southern New England.
Shabaz Clarke '17 started a new position as a Senior Associate Recruiter at Pride Global.
Madison Benton-Neylon '19 accepted a full-time position with the Oklahoma City County Health Department as a Community Health Worker for OKC Public School.
Evan Bing '19 started a new position as a Senior Excess Casualty Underwriter at Argo Group.
Marvin Baker '20 started new job in October as Manager of Grassroots Engagement at Step Up For Students, based in Orlando Florida.
Andrea Lantigua '20 has been named Associate Director of Finance and Administrative Services at CT State Middlesex College.
Mitchell Reilly '20 is working as an International Account Representative at Smith & Associates.
Desmond Knowles '22 is working as a Customs Agent at DHL Express.
Anna Lambert '22 started a new position as a Teacher Assistant at Ducklings Early Learning Centers.
Le'Sandra (Tookie) Turner '22 is the Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at Pratt Institute.
Mamadou Kaba '24 has enrolled in a Master of Science in Library and Information Science program at Long Island University.
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Class of '86 In the House!
Thank you to John Carr '86 for hosting a mini-Mitchell College reunion this fall. Reliving fond Mitchell memories are Mark Goldstein '86 (Class President 1986), Steve Provencher '86, Faith Atkins (Proetto) '86, John, and Coleen Burke Thomsen '86.
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Bring a Mitchell Banner to YOUR Next Big Event
Are you planning an upcoming trip with Mitchell friends? Is there a big life event on the horizon that will be celebrated with your pals from college? We'd love to be part of the action! Our only request in exchange for a Mitchell College banner (which you can keep) is that we get pictures of your gathering, with the banner displayed, to post in upcoming newsletters and social media outreach.
Send your request to alumni@mitchell.edu with a description of the event—wedding, girls’ weekend, welcoming a new baby, housewarming, etc. Please allow at least a month's notice before the event so that we are sure to get the banner to you in time for the celebration.
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Times Remembered
Your memories are our greatest treasure. We want to highlight thoughts from all generations about the people and places that made your time on the Mitchell campus so memorable. Please send your stories to alumni@mitchell.edu for inclusion in future issues.
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MITCHELL MADE A DIFFERENCE, YOU CAN TOO
There are many ways to support the students and innovation now keeping your legacy alive at Mitchell College.
Join the Alumni Association
You are just two clicks away from joining a growing network of alumni who want to stay informed and remain connected to the powerful possibilities that come with being an active Mitchell College alum. Check out our new website and join for free.
Refer a student
Help us find the next generation of Mitchell College superstars. Contact the Admissions Office with a lead on someone in your world who may be a good fit for our community. Have questions about criteria or deadlines? Contact Michelle Mason, executive director of admissions, or a member of our superstar Admissions team.
Rally your crew
We certainly can't do it alone and we know it is more fun when we do it together. Be part of organizing a class gift or a reunion of your team. Get your floormates back together or help plan a gathering of performing arts alumni. We want to celebrate your memories while we make it possible for current students to make their own. Contact the Advancement Office to jumpstart the next campaign or reunion.
(Psst...attention classes ending in 5 (1955, '65, '75, '85, '95, '05, '15) - next year is your year to celebrate a milestone! Help us put the pieces together and plan the party. Contact the Alumni Office for more details.)
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