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Mitchell College Launches Four-Week Online Intersession Offering 3-Credit Courses

Dec 8, 2025 | News

To meet demand for affordable and convenient ways for students to keep on track with their academic progress, Mitchell College has launched a new Intersession offering with compressed, full-credit online courses. Mitchell students—and learners from the public—can earn 3 credits in just four weeks through flexible, fully online courses taught by full-time faculty experts.

Designed for flexibility and academic momentum, courses are delivered either asynchronously (work on your own schedule) or in a hybrid online format that includes one real-time virtual meeting per week.

The four-week Intersessions—offered in Winter and Summer—replace the Mitchell MiniMester, which ran for just two weeks. While the new timeframe is still compressed, extending the Intersession by two weeks provides greater convenience and flexibility for student schedules.

“Intersession is one of the most effective and economical ways for students to advance their academic goals in a short period of time,” said Amy Rumrill, registrar at Mitchell College. “If a student takes advantage of both the Winter and Summer Intersessions, they can earn an additional 6 credits over an academic year. Mitchell offers the courses at a significantly reduced cost, the lowest Intersession tuition of any four-year college or university in Connecticut.”

“We recognize that many students are balancing jobs and other responsibilities at home, and flexibility is key. Fully online courses allow them to take a course while managing life. Through Intersession courses, students can focus, stay on track, and earn meaningful credit to make real progress toward their degree. Intersessions also support academic recovery for students at risk,” she said.

Register Now for Winter Intersession

Registration is now open through December 19 for the Winter Intersession, which runs December 17–January 16. The summers session runs May 13–June 12. Intersession tuition is $990 per course ($330 per credit, 3 credits).

Winter Intersession courses include:

  • Disney Villains: A Criminological Perspective
  • The Invisible Trade of Human Beings: Unmasking Global Human Trafficking Networks
  • Writing for College and Beyond
  • Entrepreneurship I: The Search for Customer Value
  • Advertising
  • The Psychology of Wellbeing

New students—those not currently enrolled at Mitchell or Thames at Mitchell—can complete a simple enrollment process to participate. Current Mitchell and Thames students are encouraged to consult with their Academic Advisor before registering.

To learn more or register, go to mitchell.edu/intersession.

Unexpected Turn at Mitchell Puts Alum on Path to Help Others

Dec 2, 2025 | Stories

When AJ Marini ’24 enrolled at Mitchell College as a transfer student, he intended to play baseball for the Mariners and major in sport management.

“From the very beginning I wanted to stay involved in athletics long after my own career would finish,” he said.

Little did he know that his collegiate baseball career would be cut short by injury and that he would later pursue a career helping and guiding other athletes.

“One of the biggest challenges I faced as a student-athlete was tearing my shoulder twice. That ultimately forced me to stop playing baseball, a sport I loved. I had always identified as an athlete and suddenly that part of my life was taken away.”

Finding Purpose

After the initial shock of his life change, he focused on “finding purpose beyond the field.”

“I suddenly realized there was more to life than just sports. My injury pushed me to grow as a student and as a person, and the experience taught me resilience and adaptability. I focused more on my academics and developed stronger leadership and communication skills. I also found new ways to stay connected to teammates through my coursework and campus involvement.”

AJ credits the Mitchell faculty and staff with helping him transition out of baseball.

“The incredible faculty and staff went above and beyond. They taught me in the classroom and guided, mentored, and supported me through every challenge, both on and off the field. Their encouragement helped me find new purpose. It pushed me to reach my full potential as a student, leader, and a person. Looking back, I was drawn to Mitchell for its close-knit, supportive community. From the start it felt like a place where I could truly belong and grow. Growing is just what I did.”

After graduating from Mitchell (and delivering the student address at his commencement ceremony), he enrolled in a master’s program in sport management at the State University of New York at Cortland.

As a graduate student, he interned with STEER for Student Athletes. The community-based nonprofit organization provides mentorship and support services to student-athletes, helping them graduate from high school, prepare for further education, or enter the workforce.

AJ plans to use this experience to pursue career opportunities in advising, student-athlete development, mentorship, or possibly college athletic administration.

Thanks to his unexpected turn at Mitchell, AJ is now poised and excited to pay forward the support he received.

“It’s important to help others see the same opportunities and support that made such a difference in my own journey.”

Coach Scores 300th Career Victory

Nov 19, 2025 | News

Todd Peretz, head coach of Mitchell College men’s basketball, led his team to its first win of the season and his 300th career victory. He is currently in his 27th season at the helm of the program. The team defeated Purchase College 81-69 in a non-conference showdown.

Purchase controlled the first half and took a 48–39 lead into the break, but the Mariners responded with a dominant second half. Mitchell outscored the Panthers 42–21 over the final 20 minutes, using strong defense and timely scoring to take over the game.

Mitchell grabbed the lead for good midway through the second half when junior Troy Butler (Manchester, Conn.) knocked down a three to put the Mariners ahead 59–58. From that point on, Mitchell controlled the pace on both ends, never surrendering the lead again on its way to the comeback win.

Butler led the comeback with 25 points, including several key baskets that helped shift the momentum early in the second half. Senior Brandon Lee (Stockton, Calif.) added a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while sophomore Abdul Mansaray (Jacksonville, Fla.) contributed 13 points as Mitchell steadily pulled away.

Purchase was led by Trey Skeete, who kept the Panthers in front early with 25 points, including five three-pointers. Desmond Ward and Chris Hunter added 10 points each.

Follow Mitchell Athletics at mitchellathletics.com.

Coach Todd Peretz and men's basketball team

Photo credit (header and inset): Purchase College Athletics

Mitchell College Welcomes New Faculty

Oct 28, 2025 | News

Mitchell College welcomes three new full-time faculty members, bringing expertise and energy to programs in the sciences and criminal justice. Joining the faculty are Dr. Laura Picraux, associate professor of chemistry; Dr. Madeline Kollegger, visiting assistant professor of marine and environmental science; and Sarbjeet Kaur, assistant professor of criminal justice.

Each brings unique experience and subject matter expertise that will enrich Mitchell’s distinctive, student-centered learning environment.

Dr. Laura Picraux brings extensive higher education and industry experience to her role as associate professor of chemistry. She joins Mitchell from the Community College of Rhode Island. There she taught both basic skills for chemistry and general chemistry and contributed to course and program assessment. Previously, she taught at Johnson & Wales University and Saddleback Community College. She earned her doctorate in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree from Bryn Mawr College.

Dr. Madeline Kollegger recently completed her doctorate in natural resources at the University of Connecticut. Her dissertation evaluated strategies for coastal marsh restoration. She received her master’s degree in earth and environmental science from Montclair State University, and a bachelor’s degree in natural resources from UConn. Her research focuses on coastal resilience and climate change adaptation. An award-winning educator and mentor, Kollegger has taught environmental science at UConn and served as a scientist-in-residence at Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy. She has been recognized for her engaging, inclusive teaching style and her commitment to inspiring environmental stewardship among students.

Sarbjeet Kaur is completing her doctorate in criminal justice at the University of New Haven. Her dissertation explores human trafficking by violent non-state actors and the global legislative disparities affecting women and children. She holds master’s degrees in forensic technology from the University of New Haven and in anthropology from Panjab University in India, where she also earned a postgraduate diploma in forensic science and criminology and a bachelor’s degree. Kaur brings rich academic and field experience, including serving as practitioner-in-residence at the University of New Haven’s Department of Forensic Science and acting interim director of its Center for the Forensic Investigation of Human Trafficking. Earlier roles include the New Haven Police Department, Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, and research projects in forensic science and human development.

“Mitchell College is excited to welcome these outstanding educators to our academic community,” said Mitchell College President Tracy Y. Espy. “Their collective expertise and passion for student success reflect our mission to empower every learner to discover their strengths and achieve meaningful impact in their chosen fields.”

Together, these new faculty members strengthen Mitchell’s dedication to academic excellence, innovation, and holistic approach to learning.

Kervick Receives Literary Award for History of Windsor Locks Canal

Oct 9, 2025 | Stories

J. Christopher “Chris” Kervick, an instructor of local history at Mitchell College, was recently awarded the 2025 Literary Award by The Connecticut Society of Genealogists for his book “The Windsor Locks Canal: Yankee Enterprise and Irish Muscle.” The award recognizes the most outstanding genealogical resource of the year.

Since 2022 Kervick has brought his love of history to students in the Thames at Mitchell College program through his “New London Stories” course. Together they have researched and written numerous articles about New London history, some of which have been published by The Day and its imprint The Times newspapers.

The result of over 20 years of research, Kervick’s book tells the story of the creation of the 19th-century Windsor Locks Canal, which served as the backbone of a water-powered industrial center.

The historically detailed book is of interest to genealogists because it humanizes the 400 Irish laborers who built the canal. Kervick introduces the reader to many of the remarkable men by name and identifies laborers who remained in the area and raised families following completion of the canal.

“The Windsor Locks Canal, Yankee Enterprise and Irish Muscle” (Madison, CT: The Connecticut Press, 2025) is available for checkout at the Mitchell College Library. It is also available for purchase in both softcover and hardcover editions online from Amazon Books, Barnes & Noble, and IngramSpark.

Kervick recently completed three terms as First Selectman of his hometown of Windsor Locks, Connecticut, and, prior to that, served as a Connecticut Judge of Probate. He has been practicing law for over 37 years. A 1984 graduate of Fordham University, he is a 1987 graduate of Catholic University, Columbus School of Law.