//
Select Page

Mitchell College Receives Grant to Launch Healthcare Academy

Mitchell College has received funding from the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut to launch the Mitchell College Healthcare Academy (HCA).

The HCA is an early college, on-campus program that expands healthcare career pathways for New London County middle and high school students. It combines classroom learning with hands-on experiences to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals and address local workforce needs.

Inspiring Future Healthcare Leaders

President Tracy Y. Espy said:

“Mitchell College is proud to offer the Mitchell College Healthcare Academy to middle and high school students in our region, inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals and helping to address local workforce shortages. Thanks to the generosity of the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, we can begin this initiative to empower students, promote economic mobility, and advance health equity in the region.”

Program Highlights

Middle School Program – HCA Rising

  • For grades 6–9

  • STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) exploration phase

  • Fun, engaging activities to build interest in healthcare

  • Launches July 2025

High School Pathway

  • For grades 10–12

  • Career education, leadership, and soft-skills development

  • Shadow days, hands-on labs, research and writing skill-building, summer experiences

  • Opportunity to earn college credit through dual enrollment

Community Support

Maryam Elahi, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, said:

“The Community Foundation is pleased to support Mitchell College’s program which aligns closely with our priorities: health equity, early career development and educating a diverse group of students. Thanks to our generous donors, we are able to make grants to support area youth, meet the basic needs of our residents and protect the environment.”

Learn More

For details about the Mitchell College Healthcare Academy, contact:
Dr. Alicia Martinez
Dean of Student Experience and Belonging
martinez_a@mitchell.edu | 860-701-7708

Applications Available for CT Student Loan Reimbursement Program

Applications for the Student Loan Reimbursement Program (SLRP) through the Connecticut Office of Higher Education are available beginning August 15, 2025. They will be reviewed on a first come first serve basis through December 2025 until funds are exhausted.

An eligible applicant:

  • Must be a current Connecticut resident who has lived in the state for at least 5 consecutive years.
  • Must have an outstanding student loan balance and made a qualifying payment in 2024.
  • Must have graduated from a Connecticut college/university or attended a program to earn a professional license/certificate.
  • Income limits apply: $125,000 for individuals or $175,000 for married applicants.
  • 50 hours of verified volunteer service since January 1, 2024, at a qualifying nonprofit, municipal agency, or through military service.
  • A hardship waiver may be requested in certain cases of degree non-completion.

 

Find more information at the Connecticut Office of Higher Education.

In Remembrance

It is with deepest gratitude and sincerest fondness that we remember Mitchell College Trustee George White, who passed away last week.

In addition to serving on the Mitchell College Board of Trustees since 2019, he founded the renowned Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Conn., serving as its chairman for 37 years. In 2022 he was awarded the O’Neill’s Monte Cristo Award, given annually to an individual whose body of work has made an indelible impact on the arts. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama, he served many years as co-chair of its Theater Management Program.

His work and service were far-reaching, and his accomplishments were many.

George White loved Mitchell College, our students, and our mission. We are grateful for his longtime support and friendship.

Mitchell Internship (and Fandom) Led to Working with WNBA Team

Longtime Connecticut Sun fan Kilian Okech ’25 joined the team for the summer as a community relations ambassador. In his internship role, he works with the organization that is part of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).

The sport management major, who played on the Mitchell men’s basketball team, said, “When it came time to find an internship, I already had the idea to work with the Connecticut Sun.”

Kilian worked with Paul Dunn in the Integrative Career Development Office to secure the internship.

“Thanks to his connections, I was able to apply and get a response quickly,” Kilian said.

Tasks on Game Day
Kilian attends every home game at Mohegan Sun and handles other aspects of his work remotely. On game day he arrives in the morning to work in the office and arena before the game. Pre-game tasks include helping to prospect leads for groups to attend games. He also assists with “seat notes,” envelopes containing special offers that are placed at seats around the arena.

In addition, Kilian observes office calls about ticket sales and other questions. At game time, he helps fans at a concessions table or booth. He said he uses the Mitchell Abilities, especially diversity/global perspectives and social interaction, to effectively interact with the broad mix of fans.

When he transferred as a sophomore to Mitchell, Kilian was drawn to the college for a variety of reasons. He liked the opportunity to play basketball, Mitchell’s waterfront location, and its campus and residence halls. He said his Mitchell advisor supported him in helping transfer past credits to be on track to graduate.

Future Plans
Through his internship Kilian has a close-up and behind-the-scenes look at a professional basketball organization.

Looking to the future, Kilian said, “My internship has inspired me to continue going after a career in the front office at a sports organization. Mitchell has good internship options for students. The great help I received from Paul Dunn and my peers at the Sun have prepared me and given me the valuable experience that I need to take the next step.”

Kilian plans to pursue a master’s degree in sport management.

Kilian Okech stands in front of a mural feature Connecticut Sun basketball players.

Electric Boat Cohort Completes Mitchell Hub PMP Course

Employers like General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) are taking advantage of the Mitchell Hub to provide professional skills training for their staff. The Mitchell Hub provides access to industry-relevant credentials and professional skills through a digital-first approach and robust learner support.

A second cohort of 21 learners recently completed the Hub’s Mastering Project Management (MPM) hybrid course with the support of the Electric Boat Management Association, a professional society within GDEB dedicated to fostering professional growth of personnel. This hybrid course combined an intensive online, self-paced course that prepared learners for the prestigious a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam with regular meetings with two facilitators with significant industry experience in project management:

  • Brian Schweitzer, Project Manager, IT PMO, General Dynamics Electric Boat
  • Rebecca Hodge, Senior Director, Finance Integration, Stanley Black & Decker

 

The project management credential is a high market-value skillset, helping “level up” employees in many disciplines and preparing them to practically apply project management tools, methods, and processes through the completion of a project life cycle.

Learners in the spring 2025 EB cohort represented diverse departments and disciplines throughout the company, including software, digital enterprise, mechanical engineering, and IT. Mastery of project management skills supports many areas including communications structure, time and money, and vendor management, among others.

Learners logged a combined 2053 learning hours online and completed more than 335 assignments, quizzes, and exams.

Organizations interested in providing upskilling and professional development opportunities to their employees can learn more by contacting Karen Bellnier, director of digital innovation, at hub@mitchell.edu or 860-701-5415.