Britt Barry, Author at Mitchell College

Stepping Forward with Confidence

Apr 3, 2023 | Stories

Thames at Mitchell College student Grace Carey dreams of one day working in a preschool. She is enrolling as a first-year student at Mitchell College for the 2023–24 academic year and is confident that early childhood studies and a practicum at the Mitchell College Children’s Learning Center will help her reach her goal.

Her new-found confidence can be attributed to skills she is learning at Thames.

“When I began at Thames, I struggled with uncertainty. I wasn’t sure college would be right for me since academics and time management have been hard for me,” Grace said.

“But at Thames I found a program that offers academic and social supports. I am learning and working on many skills, including managing time, balancing academic and school life with social life, navigating a college campus and finding the resources I need. It’s been challenging, but I’ve overcome the challenges by self-advocating, using my schedule and map of the campus and just giving myself time to adjust.”

Grace said that she has been “pleasantly surprised” by the level of social-emotional support at Thames and the friendliness of the community. Both helped her gain more confidence in her ability to be a college student and an adult.

“My ability to balance my work and social life has become stronger. I feel more confident in making a homework plan for myself and knowing what time I need for working. The extra support that Thames offers has also helped increase my enjoyment of the classes,” she said.

Managing her time well has made it easy to take part in many of the social activities available to Thames students—both within the Thames program and the wider Mitchell College community.

“The Paint and Sip nights, Play-Doh Night, Open Mic nights and Bingo nights are all campus-wide social events that I have had a lot of fun at. I have also really enjoyed the Thames-specific social events, like our Sunshine Club ice cream party, a trip to Providence and card and games nights!”

Grace is grateful for her time at Thames and looks forward to what comes next.

“At Thames I am part of the Mitchell College community, but I get to take my transition from high school to college more slowly with extra support. The program is my steppingstone to becoming a successful Mitchell College freshman and college student,” she said.

New Academic Programs for In-Demand Careers

Mar 23, 2023 | News

Answering a need to prepare students to pursue in-demand jobs—and to provide the economy with workplace-ready employees—Mitchell College is unveiling several new academic options starting the Fall 2023 semester. The new majors include two new bachelor’s degrees and two new associate degrees:

Business Management (B.S.)
Public Health (B.A.)
Computer and Data Information Systems (A.S.)
General Studies, with a focus on Workplace Readiness (A.A.)

Vice President for Academic Affairs Elizabeth A. Beaulieu, Ph.D., said, “Mitchell College strives to be a contributing leader in workforce development, preparing students through market-relevant programs to enter in-demand fields. The new programs add to an already wide variety of disciplines in areas of high student interest and high employer demand.”

She added, “For our bachelor’s programs, introductory to advanced coursework provides content knowledge and skills, and our Integrative Career Development (ICD) program provides career preparation for our students. Career planning begins with our First-Year Experience, followed by a second-year, discipline-specific career seminar and culminates in upper-level mastery courses and practical application courses, including internships, research courses and/or capstones. Students pursuing an associate degree also have full access to career development support from ICD. This degree can also be stepping stone to more advanced education.”

The Bachelor of Science in Business Management is designed to prepare students to be “work ready” within their chosen business career. Students will learn to evaluate management situations and apply appropriate professional methods to improve operations, solve problems and deliver results. Through an experiential learning approach, students are empowered with knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors required to pursue careers in business and management. They will also study environmental, social and economic systems and emerging megatrends which affect contemporary business operations, with a focus on small and family business. Specializations within the major include entrepreneurship and innovation, project management and organizational transformation, and digital marketing. Additionally, Michael’s Dairy, a popular local business on Mitchell’s campus, will serve as a “learning lab” for students enrolled in the business major.

The Bachelor of Arts in Public Health focuses on community health. The degree equips students with an understanding of public health principles and the skills and knowledge needed to address community health problems and improve assessment, cultural competence and advocacy. The curriculum includes courses in health promotion and disease prevention, health policy, and social and behavioral health, among others. It also offers hands-on experience through a community-based internship and prepares students for careers in a wide range of public health settings, including health departments, non-profit organizations, community health centers and government agencies. Graduates may also pursue advanced degrees in public health or related fields.

The Associate of Science in Computer and Data Information Systems is designed to meet student demand for technology-centric academic experiences aligned with 21^st-century workforce needs. Students who enroll in the program will develop computer programming skills using multiple software platforms and use those skills to examine and analyze data and develop conclusions that apply to data-driven decisions about problems in real time. This degree program will also include an option for students to test for industry certification in cybersecurity through Mitchell’s Digital Innovation Hub for Educational Excellence (The Hub).

The Associate of Arts in General Studies focuses on workplace readiness, combining traditional courses in liberal education—such as literature, history and social sciences—with transferable hard and soft skills needed to succeed in the workplace. Hard skills include writing, reading comprehension, verbal communication and technology readiness. Soft skills include leadership, critical and creative thinking, community and collaboration and analysis and problem-solving. Mastery of these skills creates a foundation for careers in social services, business administration, marketing, healthcare, retail services and other business sectors or for pursuing a four-year degree.

Disney Internship a Dream Come True

Mar 22, 2023 | Stories

Zhane Adams is spending the spring semester of her junior year living a lifelong dream. She is participating in the Disney College Program, working at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

“I have always loved Disney, from the movies to the music and, of course, the parks, so I had a dream to be a Disney cast member for a long time. It was the reason I applied to Mitchell College in the first place. The Disney College Program requires at least one completed semester of college, and I had heard amazing things about Mitchell’s Hospitality and Tourism program. The classes set students up to learn about different areas of the hospitality field to find out what does and doesn’t interest them,” Zhane said.

While her quest to experience working for Disney landed her at Mitchell College, her Mitchell coursework has set her up for success as she works in her Disney internship.

“One class that I apply every single day is Quality Service. Especially at Disney, you learn from Day 1 that you are part of a show. Every single cast member, whether on stage or behind the scenes, helps the show go on. Guests come to Disney for the experience and to have some magic brought into their lives. Our motto at Disney is ‘We create happiness!’ I was already familiar with creating experiences for guest because we learned about it in my class – often using Disney as an example because they do it best!”

Zhane typically works 40 hours per week as a houseperson, supporting the housekeeping process and making sure it’s “in tip-top shape to ensure safety to all of our Walt Disney World guests and cast members.” She also works as a runner, doing pick-ups and deliveries of items like towels, cribs and luggage racks for housekeepers and guests. Occasionally she is “deployed,” or assigned to other locations around Walt Disney World to work.

“Deployments can be a challenge and nerve-wracking because you feel like you are starting over again,” she said. “I have been sent out on two deployments so far, but if you go in with an open mind, every deployment is a learning experience and a great opportunity to see more of Disney and the way other resorts run.”

Another challenge for Zhane, who is a commuter student at Mitchell, has been getting used to doing an internship so far from home.

“Connecticut is definitely not in Florida’s backyard, but nobody does hospitality like Disney does, and I knew when I started Mitchell that this is where I wanted to do my internship. I love getting the opportunity to meet and network with new people and gain knowledge in resort life at a beautiful place like the Wilderness Lodge. I have met a lot of great friends at my home resort, and I enjoy going to work.”

“Of course,” she added, “working for Disney comes great employee perks, like getting into the parks for free! So, on days off being able to explore the parks is an amazing opportunity. There are some days I can work in the morning, and as soon as I clock out I can be in the park 30 minutes later. It’s the definition of ‘Work hard, play harder’.”

Zhane said that she has found parallels between some of the Mitchell Abilities that she has practiced in her Mitchell coursework and The Five Keys that Disney cast members follow: Safety, Efficiency, Show, Inclusion and Courtesy.

“Courtesy and Inclusion are the two Disney keys that remind me the most of the Mitchell Abilities. Working for Disney is an endless opportunity to work with people from all over the world of different cultures, ethnic backgrounds, ages and abilities. Problem Solving, Diversity/Global Perspectives and Social Interactions are Mitchell Abilities that I use every day, whether I am interacting with guests, making a plan to answer five runner calls at once or dealing with other last-minute changes in my job.”

Zhane is grateful for the combination of the small class sizes at Mitchell that helped her focus on her goals and the relationships she made with professors and advisors who encouraged her to pursue her internship dream.

“This internship has made clear that I am in the right field and has opened my eyes to how many options there are for a career in hospitality. Mitchell is an amazing stepping stone in a student’s journey to the rest of their life. It’s somewhere you can find your passions, while building professional relationships along with friendships that can last you a lifetime! “

Community Invited to Join Walk for Suicide Prevention

Mar 22, 2023 | News

The Mitchell College Mental Health Club is hosting its second annual Out of the Darkness Walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) on Saturday, April 1, 2023, and invites the community to participate.

Sponsored by the AFSP, the Mitchell College Out of the Darkness Campus Walk 2023 will begin at the Mitchell College Green. Registration starts at 11:30am; the walk begins at 1pm.

Register ahead of time online or on the day of the walk and join an existing team, create your own team or register as an individual. Participation is free, but it is a fundraiser, and the day’s overall goal is $5,000. If you create your own team, you can set your own unique fundraising goal. The funds raised help to support the AFSP.

All are welcome to join us on our campus as we remember loved ones lost to suicide and support suicide prevention. Together we can change the conversation and end the stigma behind suicide and mental health.

“In our Community, Campus and Overnight Walks, those affected by suicide – and those who support them – raise awareness and much-needed funds, strongly sending the message that suicide can be preventable, and that no one is alone.” (afsp.org)

For questions, please contact:
Kayla Vargas-Estevez, Walk Coordinator
Kayla.vargasestevez@my.mitchell.edu

Antaya Lee, Director of Student Engagement and Orientation
Lee_A@mitchell.edu

For more information and to register online, click here.

Building Local Partnerships to Benefit Students, Employers

Mar 14, 2023 | News

Mitchell College recently hosted a Community Partner Breakfast that included representatives from 28 organizations in Southeastern Connecticut who joined Mitchell staff and faculty to explore partnerships to provide student learning opportunities and meet employer needs. The organizations represented both current and potential partners in behavioral health, culture and tourism, disability services, education, healthcare, immigration support services, mental health services, and suicide prevention and awareness.

In addition to looking at the value of long- and short-term partnerships as pathways for students to be service learners, interns and potential employees, participants discussed how Mitchell College could provide other resources to help their organizations advance their own missions and also assist in solving local community challenges.

Mitchell College strives to continue to form and strengthen a symbiotic relationship with community partners that can offer students work experience, industry insights, skills development, mentorships and professional contacts, while giving community organizations access to a talent pipeline. Benefiting the local and regional community, these relationships can also lead to higher rates of civic engagement, increased awareness of relevant issues, a healthier community, enhanced reputation and culture and problem solving.

Participating organizations (alpha order):