NEW LONDON, CT – July 26, 2021– Mitchell College recently welcomed Nancy Cowser as Chief Advancement and Alumni Affairs Officer. In her new role, she joins the senior leadership team and will be responsible for designing, implementing and evaluating comprehensive development strategies and programs that support the vision and mission of the College through fundraising and alumni engagement.

Prior to joining Mitchell, Cowser was the Executive Director since 2017 of the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (seCTer), the region’s designated economic development organization.

Skilled in strategic planning, project management, fund development and community engagement, she also worked in several other arenas, including healthcare, social services and mortgage banking. She holds a master’s degree in management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Boston College.

Dr. Tracy Y. Espy, Mitchell College president, said, “Nancy’s deep connections in the community and significant experience in fundraising and relationship building are a boon to the College and our strategic planning efforts. We are so excited for her to share her insights and broad knowledge as we look to future growth.”

Cowser said, “Mitchell College’s mission to celebrate and develop the power of unique minds is deeply personal to me. I am honored to have the opportunity to draw on my past experiences to help elevate the College and to connect with our incredible students, talented staff and faculty, our supportive alumni and parents, our community partners and many others, to grow our network of influence and support.”

NORWICH, CT—Today, Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) announced that five of his Community Project Funding requests for local priorities in eastern Connecticut were included in a round of bills approved last night in the House Appropriations Committee. Additional action on other bills that will include eastern Connecticut projects are being considered in committee today.

Courtney’s five approved Community Project Funding requests so far would bring over $2 million in targeted federal investments home to eastern Connecticut. The funding would go towards a variety of important projects, including support for local law enforcement, programs to connect students with promising career paths, support for local health initiatives, and more.

Rep. Courtney’s Community Project Funding requests included in last night’s appropriations bills will:

• Purchase fluoroscopy equipment that will improve patient care and services at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, CT ($540,000)
• Support Groton Public Schools programming connecting students to careers in locally in-demand industries ($140,000)
• Create a new Digital Innovation Hub and STEM coursework at Mitchell College in New London ($555,000)
• Hire two additional substance abuse recovery coaches for the New London County region at Reliance Health ($120,000)
• Invest in a new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and Records Management System (RMS for the Norwich Police Department ($700,000)

“We put our heads together with local leaders in town government and the nonprofit sector in eastern Connecticut to support these local projects, and this marks a big step forward in making it final,” said Rep. Courtney. “The House’s FY 2022 budget package will now officially include funding specifically for local projects here in eastern Connecticut—from support for our law enforcement officers at the Norwich Police Department, to improved health care services in the Quiet Corner and New London, to exciting new programs for students and degree-seekers here in the second district. There’s more work to go until this budget becomes law, but this is where the process begins—in the House, with the Appropriations Committee. The 2022 budget is going to start off as one that targets support directly to some of our most important local priorities, and that’s great news for eastern Connecticut.”

“Day Kimball Healthcare is grateful to receive federal support organized through Congressman Joe Courtney that will be utilized in the acquisition of new imaging equipment. The Siemens Agile Fluoroscopy System will allow our team to provide an expanded array of services while concurrently improving efficiency and safety for our patients and staff. We are proud to serve as Northeast Connecticut’s primary access point for healthcare services, and this funding ensures our ability to continually serve in that capacity.”—Kyle Kramer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Day Kimball Healthcare.

“We are deeply grateful to Congressman Joe Courtney and our local leaders for their support of this initiative, which will address needs specifically identified through our work with the Governor’s Workforce Council, and for which Mitchell College is uniquely positioned to successfully execute.  The Digital Innovation Hub for Educational Excellence (DIHEE) furthers the College’s commitment to Connecticut’s Workforce Strategy through academic innovation and increasing access to training in both the STEM and mental health fields, all through the lens of neurodiversity and adaptability.”
—Tracy Y. Espy, Ph.D., President of Mitchell College.

“With assistance from the Community Funding Project Program, Reliance Health will expand its community-based Recovery Coach program partnering with First Responders and Municipalities. Recovery Coaches provide direct contact and resources to individuals struggling with substance use, abuse, and addiction and provide peer-driven supports that focus on wellness, hope, and recovery. We are grateful to Congressman Courtney for understanding the needs of his community and advocating for the funding necessary to address this health crisis.”—Carrie Dyer, Chief Executive Officer, Reliance Health.

“Support from the Community Funding Project Program will enable Groton Public Schools to jump start its Career Pathway Program.  Through this new program, Groton will partner with local businesses to develop internships and workforce opportunities for our students at Fitch High School.  Groton is extremely grateful to Congressman Courtney’s ongoing commitment to workforce development in southeastern Connecticut and we’re excited for our students to participate in this new program!”—Shannon Weigle, Grants Coordinator, Groton Public Schools.

This year, the Appropriations Committee announced it would formally accept requests from House Members to directly fund local projects, known as “Community Project Funding Requests”, which were required to have extensive community support. His requests were publicly disclosed here.

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Kelsey Goodman has been named head coach of the Mitchell College women’s volleyball program, as announced by Director of Athletics Matt Finlayson on Monday.

Goodman will make her collegiate head coaching debut with the Mariners. She most recently served as an assistant coach at Randolph College in Lynchburg, Va. 

“We are excited to add Kelsey to our coaching staff,” said Finlayson. “Her coaching background and playing experience make her a good fit for Mitchell, and she is ready to lead her own program. With a talented roster returning for the fall, I think she’ll be in a good position to hit the ground running.” 

Goodman inherits a team that posted a school record 14 wins and advanced to the semifinals of the New England Collegiate Conference Championship in 2019. The Mariners return the nucleus of that group for the 2021 season. 

“I would like to thank Athletic Director Matt Finlayson, Assistant AD Casie Runksmeier and Assistant AD Todd Peretz for giving me this amazing opportunity to be the head volleyball coach at Mitchell College,” said Goodman. “I am excited for the future of the program and making an impact on the student-athletes’ lives.”

Goodman began her coaching career in 2019 as an assistant coach under Kara Matthews at Randolph. In her first season the WildCats posted 13 wins—the most since 2014—and earned a berth in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Tournament.   

Goodman assisted with all aspects of the Randolph program, including scheduling, budgeting, strength training and recruiting. In addition to her coaching duties, she also taught a physical education class at the college.

Prior to joining the staff at Randolph, Goodman worked summer camps at Midlothian High School, Richmond Volleyball Club, and STAR Volleyball Camps with head coach Tom Houser. Since 2018, she has also given private lessons to high school volleyball players.

A native of Chesterfield, Va., Goodman was a four-year letter winner in women’s volleyball at Roanoke College, where she played right side and was a captain in her senior year. She was also a member of Roanoke’s SAAC all four years. She graduated with a degree in health and physical education and went on to earn a master’s in sports management at Liberty University.

WESTFIELD Mass. – A pair of Mitchell College golfers were honored by the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference on Wednesday. 

Senior Jared Hoover (Milford, Conn./Milford) and sophomore Shamus McLean (Groton, Conn./Fitch)were among the 881 student-athletes selected to the 2021 MASCAC Winter/Spring All-Academic Team. Hoover received honors for the second time in his career while McLean was a first-time recipient. 

Student-athletes must maintain a 3.20 cumulative or semester-based grade point average during the semester to be eligible for selection.  

“Congratulations to the 881 student-athletes who were named to the 2021 MASCAC Winter/Spring All-Academic Team,” said Commissioner Angela Baumann. “Despite the challenges of this year, our student-athletes persevered through the adversity, and the number of honorees is a testament to that.” 

The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, the nation’s oldest Division III men’s and women’s playing conference, has a rich and storied tradition of competitive success while celebrating excellence in the classroom. MASCAC member schools include Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, MCLA, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State University, Westfield State University and Worcester State University. Two other institutions, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Plymouth State University, are affiliate members of the conference in the sports of football and men’s ice hockey, while Western Connecticut State University joined the conference as a football affiliate member in 2013. Dean College, Eastern Nazarene College, Elms College, Mitchell College and Springfield College joined as men’s golf affiliates. 

WEYMOUTH, Mass. — Two members of the Mitchell College baseball team were selected for the 2021 Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL) All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 13 in New Britain, Conn.

Senior outfielder Hunter Yaworski and junior pitcher Kenny Heon will represent the Mariners at the FCBL’s “midsummer classic.” The two have spent the summer playing for the Norwich Sea Unicorns, which placed a total of seven players on the all-star roster.

Yaworski, an all-conference performer this past spring with the Mariners, has played in 20 games with Norwich and is batting .295 with nine RBI. He is also tied for the team lead with five doubles. Heon has made five relief appearances and is 2-0 with a 0.96 ERA. He has struck out 15 batters while issuing only one walk in 9.1 innings of work.

Featuring an East-West format, rosters were announced on Wednesday in anticipation of the league’s first All-Star Game since 2019. The West roster includes players from the New Britain Bees, league-leading Pittsfield Suns, Vermont Lake Monsters and Westfield Starfires, while the East side includes the first-place Brockton Rox, defending champion Nashua Silver Knights, Norwich Sea Unicorns and Worcester Bravehearts.

Tickets for Tuesday’s All-Star Game can be purchased through the New Britain Bees by clicking here. Gates open at 5 p.m. while first pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m. Admission to Monday’s Home Run Derby is free of charge, with the night’s festivities including batting practices and autograph sessions with both teams.

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Mitchell College announced on Wednesday that Matt Finlayson has been hired as director of athletics.

Finlayson, who begins his new role on June 30, joins the Mariners after having served as an assistant athletic director at Salve Regina University for the past three years. He will be the department’s sixth full-time director of athletics, and the third since Mitchell became an active member of NCAA Division III.

“I truly believe Mitchell College is a special community where student-athletes can achieve academic and athletic success,” said Finlayson. “I’m very excited and honored to serve as director of athletics, and I am grateful to Dr. Tracy Espy and everyone involved in the search process. I can’t wait to join the leadership team, and I look forward to being part of the bright future here.

“The Mitchell Ability Model, premier athletic facilities and, most importantly, the people I was able to meet through the process—all make this opportunity a perfect fit for me and my family. I’m coming from a private liberal arts university located in a historic coastal New England city, so this feels right at home, especially being originally from Connecticut.”

“We are delighted to welcome Matt as director of athletics, to lead the exceptional cadre of coaches and staff at Mitchell College,” said Dr. Espy. “He is a great addition to the team, who will elevate our athletics program while promoting and expanding sponsorships and funding for our outstanding athletes and teams.”

A graduate of Salve Regina, Finlayson returned to his alma mater in 2016 as an adjunct professor and joined the athletic department in 2018. In his role as assistant athletic director he was charged with enhancing community relations, fostering game day atmosphere, increasing department revenue and promoting special events and alumni development. He was also responsible for the day-to-day business operations, marketing and promotional efforts, and worked to cultivate sponsorship and branding opportunities.

Prior to his time at Salve Regina, Finlayson served as general manager of the Ocean State Waves in the historic New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL). After two years of operations, he purchased the franchise in 2014 and served as both GM and president until 2018. He directed the operational and business functions of the organization—including coordinating scheduling, facility operation and capital improvements—as well as fundraising initiatives, marketing, branding and community relations.

Finlayson’s background also includes a three-year stint as director of baseball operations at the University of Rhode Island, where he worked under head coach Jim Foster from 2009-12. In addition to monitoring budgets and other office functions, his responsibilities included fundraising, marketing and community relations. He was also involved with managing game operations for other athletic programs in the department.

Finlayson sharpened his business acumen at the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts, where he received a Master of Science in sports management. While working toward his degree he held graduate positions as a research assistant, a teaching assistantship and was also a graduate assistant within the athletic department.

As an undergraduate as Salve Regina, Finlayson was a four-year member of the baseball team and a three-time all-conference selection at third base. The Higganum, Conn. native was also a three-time all-academic selection who was named Commonwealth Coast Conference Senior Scholar Athlete in 2008.