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Mitchell Basketball—Men and Women—Head to NCAA Championships

Mar 3, 2022 | News

Across the campus, Mitchell College Mariners are celebrating as the school claimed not one but two 2022 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Championships for both men’s and women’s basketball, a first in the college’s history.

Both teams will compete in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Division III Championship on Friday, March 4. The men go up against Randolph-Macon College at Randolph-Macon in Virginia. The women travel to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore to take on Christopher Newport University, another Virginia school.

This is the first appearance for Mitchell women’s basketball in the NCAA tournament and the third for men’s basketball.

Men’s and women’s basketball make up two of 14 varsity teams at Mitchell College, where over 40% of the students are varsity athletes. With the two recent championship wins, Mitchell now counts 19 Conference Championships in recent years.

Beyond the court or field, Mitchell’s coaches combine strong professionalism with a commitment to building relationships with each student, supporting them in a game, meet or match and in the classroom.

Mitchell Men's Basketball Coach Todd Peretz  

Coach Todd Peretz, now in his 23rd season as head coach of Mitchell College men’s basketball, said, “Heading to the NCAA Tournament is so special. No matter how many times you go, you can’t help but be overcome with waves of emotion. It never will get old. We are telling our guys there is no pressure on us. Regardless of who we play, we need to play our style and embrace this wonderful opportunity.”

 “Mitchell men’s basketball is a unique program in that, for a smaller institution, our team is made up of players from all over. We have kids from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Florida and international students. The group makes it fun to go to practice every day.”  —Coach Peretz

Coach Courtney Burns, in her fifth season as head coach of Mitchell College women’s basketball, said, “Mitchell women’s basketball has truly developed a culture these last five years. It’s more than a basketball program. It’s a family. These players play for something bigger than themselves, not only for each other but for the college. It shows in the ways in which they compete and represent themselves on a daily basis. WE>ME.”

“Every player, every coach and every manager plays a key role in our success as a program. These student-athletes and the women’s basketball alumni have put so much into this program, day in and day out. To watch the group walk up the ladder and cut down their first championship net in the NECC championship was a special moment that I will never forget.”  —Coach Burns

MVP Players in NECC Tournament

Men's MVP basketball player Mikey Buscetto  

Junior Mikey Buscetto and senior Amina Wiley were named tournament MVPs.

Peretz said, “Mikey has been a terrific addition to our program as well as many other newcomers and our returning players.”

Burns said, “Amina will finish her career as the most decorated women’s basketball player to ever play here. She’s earned that through her hard work over the last four years. She has continued to improve and perfect her game, and she deserves all the accolades that have come her way.”

Click the images below to LEARN MORE:

Mitchell men's basketball goes to NCAA championships in 2022   Mitchell women's basketball going to 2022 NCAA championships

 

George Floyd Scholarship Supports Leadership, Social Change

Feb 4, 2022 | News

As a community that celebrates diversity, fosters inclusion and promotes empathy, Mitchell College awarded six of its students the George Floyd Scholarship $2,500 each for the 2021-22 academic year, recognizing their leadership ability and desire to effect social change. Recipients include junior Alana Chappelle, senior Emil Cortorreal, junior Nia Gethers, junior Aizhane Glenn, senior Desmond Knowles and senior Stephanie Zavala.

Scholarship Recipients Pictured Above (top, left to right): Junior Alana Chappelle, senior Emil Cortorreal, junior Nia Gethers; (bottom, left to right): junior Aizhane Glenn, senior Desmond Knowles and senior Stephanie Zavala

Nominated by Mitchell faculty in the Human Services core for their positive contributions in the classroom, the six student recipients model Mitchell’s values by their desire to support, serve, protect and help others to build stronger communities and effect social change.
 
The scholarship was established in 2020 in memory of George Floyd – who died during an arrest by Minneapolis police, sparking protests in this nation and around the world – and provides financial support to junior or senior students of color in the Human Services core. With the continued support of Trustees Peggy Flood and Luci Arango, the scholarship expanded from four students in its first year to six students this year.

“Mitchell College celebrates diversity, fosters inclusion and promotes empathy. The George Floyd Scholarship aligns with these values, awarding these students for contributing to this culture on campus and aspiring to connect with their communities in an impactful way in their lives after college,” said Dr. Tracy Y. Espy, Mitchell College president.

To extend the reach of the George Floyd Scholarship by making a gift, please contact Jocelyn Bromley, bromley_j@mitchell.edu, or to explore other ways to support the college, visit our Giving page at Mitchell.edu/Giving.

Mitchell College Senior to Attend NCAA Student Immersion Program

Nov 15, 2021 | News

Mitchell College senior and women’s basketball point guard Le’Sandra Turner was recently selected to attend the NCAA DIII Student Immersion Program in Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 19-22, 2022. The program takes place annually in conjunction with the NCAA Convention.

 Through the program, talented ethnic minority students with a strong interest in a career in Division III athletics, either in coaching or administration, receive full funding to attend the convention and participate in programming to gain an understanding of Division III, its members and its governance process. Student-athletes will also receive DiSC training related to workplace performance, including teamwork, communication and productivity.

 Matt Finlayson, Mitchell College director of athletics, said, “When I saw this opportunity come across my email from the NCAA, I knew one of our Mariners had to participate. I put out a call to coaches for nominations, and women’s basketball coach Courtney Burns recommended Le’Sandra Turner right away. Given Le’Sandra’s future career goals and her recent completion of a coaching internship here, this experience is the ideal next step for her.”

Burns said, “Le’Sandra immediately came to my mind as someone who would take advantage of this opportunity and learn all she can from it. We are very excited for her and look forward to hearing about her experience when she returns from the program.”

Reflecting on the opportunity, Turner, who is studying sports management, said, “Ever since I was a kid I knew I wanted to be a basketball coach, either men’s or women’s, and once my playing career is over, I’m certain I will jump into the coaching side of the game. However, I am very interested in exploring the sports administration side as well. Through the student immersion program, I’m looking forward to networking and meeting new people. I think it is so valuable to learn from other people’s stories and experiences with the profession.”

Mitchell College Welcomes Director of Campus Safety

Oct 27, 2021 | News

NEW LONDON, CT – Mitchell College recently welcomed George Potts as director of campus safety. In this role, he will oversee the campus safety team, which provides security on campus, responds to campus emergencies, and protects college property. He will also serve as a key member of the institutional Title IX Team and manage the Crisis Response Team.

Potts brings more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, including six years at the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Police Department, most recently as interim chief of police. Prior to that, he served for 25 years in numerous positions in the City of New London Police Department – including lieutenant/shift commander, street sergeant, detective sergeant, vice and narcotics, anti-violence team member, and K-9 handler – before retiring in 2015.

Over the course of his career, he has earned dozens of awards and certifications and completed many leadership courses, including the FBI National Academy, an invitation-only professional development course for U.S. and international law enforcement leaders in Quantico, Va. Potts is also a graduate of Roger Williams University Command Training School and served as commander of two Presidential visits to the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London.

A lifelong resident of New London, he is a graduate of Three Rivers Community College and Saint Bernard High School and a current elected member of the Safe Futures board of directors. Before his current position at Mitchell College, Potts worked at the college as a presenter, teaching students and staff about illicit drug recognition and alcohol abuse.

Dr. Alicia Martinez, Mitchell College dean of student experience and belonging, said, “Mitchell College is dedicated to providing a safe and inclusive environment for our diverse campus community to live, learn and work. George Potts will expertly lead our campus safety team and guide other areas of the college with his deep experience and vast knowledge. His strong ties to New London, both as a resident and longtime city police officer, will ensure that Mitchell continues to be a good neighbor to all. We are thrilled that he is here.”

Potts said, “I couldn’t be happier to be back working in New London, on behalf of the students, faculty and staff at Mitchell College. Mitchell is one of the city’s great institutions, and I look forward to making sure it continues to be a safe and welcoming place for our campus community and visitors alike.”

The Children’s Learning Center Earns National NAEYC Accreditation

Oct 13, 2021 | News

NEW LONDON, Conn. – October 12, 2021 – The Children’s Learning Center at Mitchell College (CLC), located in New London, Connecticut, has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)—the world’s largest organization working on behalf of young children.

NAEYC Accreditation is a rigorous and transformative quality-improvement system that uses a set of 10 research-based standards to collaborate with early education programs to recognize and drive quality-improvement in high-quality early learning environments.

“Under the expert leadership of director Claudia Murphy, the CLC has earned the mark of quality from the NAEYC. We are proud that our little gem in the woods is recognized by the accrediting body for its commitment to reaching the highest professional standards,” said Dr. Elizabeth Beaulieu, vice president for academic affairs.

The CLC, which offers both a preschool and kindergarten program, uses the Reggio Emilia Approach focused on nature-based learning. It also serves as a Laboratory School for Mitchell College students in the Teaching & Learning and Human Services cores. Students are actively engaged as researchers, interns, and student workers. This partnership ensures an innovative approach to best practices in the fields of human development and early childhood education.

To earn NAEYC Accreditation, the CLC went through an extensive self-study and quality-improvement process, followed by an on-site visit by NAEYC Assessors to verify and ensure that the program met each of the ten program standards, and hundreds of corresponding individual criteria. NAEYC-accredited programs are always prepared for unannounced quality-assurance visits during their accreditation term, which lasts for five years.

In the 30 years since NAEYC Accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. More than 6,000 programs are currently accredited by NAEYC—less than 10 percent of all child care centers, preschools, and kindergartens nationally achieve this recognition. 

“NAEYC-Accredited programs have committed to a process that takes time, energy and dedication to complete” said Alissa Mwenelupembe, senior director of early learning program accreditation. “The Children’s Learning Center at Mitchell College has demonstrated their commitment to young children and their families.”

To learn more about the CLC, visit mitchell.edu/childrens-learning-center