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Nursing Program Welcomes Inaugural Director

Mitchell College recently welcomed Dr. Martha Kershaw as the inaugural director of its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The first cohort of nursing students begins in Fall 2025.

Kershaw most recently served as associate professor and chair of nursing in the Scott Beiler College of Health Professions at Daemen University. She oversaw multiple undergraduate and graduate nursing degree and certificate programs and was instrumental in charting a growth trajectory for the nursing program.

She holds a BSN from Niagara University, a master’s degree in nursing education from Daemen College, and a doctorate in education from Concordia University (Portland). A registered nurse for more than 30 years, she specialized in critical care, oncology, and nursing education.

“It is an honor to lead the new nursing program at Mitchell College and ensure that the culture of student support for which Mitchell is known carries through to this program. In addition to our brand new, state-of-the-art nursing simulation lab and access to our standout clinical partners, our program emphasizes academic support through several resources, including accessible faculty and highly educated nursing-specific tutors. When completing the program, our students will be equipped to provide excellent nursing care to diverse populations in a variety of settings,” Kershaw said.

Mitchell College President Tracy Y. Espy, Ph.D., said, “We are thrilled to have Dr. Kershaw leading our new nursing program. She is committed to celebrating and developing unique nursing students in cultivating ethical values, quality care, a spirit of intellectual inquiry, and a readiness to serve others. Her decades of clinical and classroom experience provide an outstanding foundation and model excellence for the program and our students.”

About the Program

The Edward and Mary Lord Nursing Simulation and Skills Laboratory (SIM Lab) will be the hub of learning for the BSN program. In the SIM Lab nursing students will practice a variety of healthcare techniques and procedures using medical equipment and training manikins.

Several community partner organizations will serve as clinical placements and provide a variety of patient care experiences in various healthcare settings. Yale New Haven Health/Lawrence + Memorial Hospital will be a lead clinical partner. Other clinical partners include Colchester and Waterford public schools, Shoreline Therapy Center, and the State of Connecticut Department of Correction.

Admission to the BSN program is determined after successful completion of first-year prerequisites in the health sciences. For information about the Mitchell College Nursing Program, including how to apply and financial aid options, go to mitchell.edu/academic-programs/nursing.

Fall 2024 Academic Honors Recipients

Congratulations to the following Mitchell College students named to the Fall 2024 Dean’s List (3.50+ GPA) or Commendable Scholars List (3.0-3.49 GPA).

Students must meet the following requirements to be eligible:

1. Must be a matriculated student.
2. Part-time students are eligible for commendable scholar status for every 12 calculable credits completed.
3. Must have a grade point average between 3.0 and 3.49 for the given semester (Commendable Scholar) or 3.50 and 4.00 for the given semester (Dean’s List).
4. May not have any Incomplete, Satisfactory (S), Unsatisfactory (U), Withdrawal or Failing grades for the given semester.

Dean’s List

Adrian Alicea | Miami, FL
Fatimah Alkubaisi | New Haven, CT
Jocelynn Allen | Clinton, CT
Jenny Alvarez | New London, CT
Julia Alves | Portsmouth, RI
Kiara Ampuero | New London, CT
Nicholas Anderson | Madison, CT
Avery Appiah | East Haddam, CT
Gabriela Aquino | New London, CT
Isabella Avalos | Chino, CA
Jaileen Barber | Waterford, CT
Joshua Bar-Nadav | Narberth, PA
Samuel Bellos | Waterford, CT
Sean Bergel | North Stonington, CT
Brad Bessette | Lisbon, CT
Taylor Bialowas | Jewett City, CT
Sabrina Bloise | New London, CT
Allison Blum | Garden Grove, CA
Aubrey Borden | San Jose, CA
Paige Broadbent | Binghamton, NY
Sean Brooks | New London, CT
Daniel Brycki | Uncasville, CT
Ella Caplet | Bozrah, CT
Grace Carey | Providence, RI
Rachel Casasnovas | West Haven, CT
Andrew Ceriello | Lincoln, RI
Andrew Champagne | Pawcatuck, CT
Ethan Chavez | New London, CT
Brooke Clancy | East Haven, CT
Phillip Clark | Jensen Beach, FL
Jessica Cochran | Waterford, CT
Madison Cole | Westbrook, ME
Alexander Confarotta | Attleboro, MA
Lauren Cordero | Selden, NY
Paige Cornetta | Huntington, NY
Eleanore Corson | Ithaca, NY
Christopher Costa | Bayport, NY
Karissa Cotoia | North Scituate, RI
Kaila Crawford | Pleasanton, CA
Joseph Criscuolo | Branford, CT
Thomas Daly | Wethersfield, CT
Lyliana Daly | Teaneck, NJ
Olivia DeCicco | Haverhill, MA
Ryan DeCosta | Niantic, CT
Luke Demsey | Cheshire, CT
Chase Donahue | Shirley, MA
Zhangir Dyussenov | New London, CT
Kevin Ellis | Clinton, CT
Mahra Engdall | Waterford, CT
Jacob Faigel | Natick, MA
Louis Fazio | White Plains, NY
Ransley Ferreras | Haledon, NJ
Michael Ficocelli | North Providence, RI
Matthew Fingal | Port St Lucie, FL
Jameson Foster | Salem, CT
Mauricea Francis | Windsor, CT
Morgan Frost | Norwalk, CT
Crystal Gangi | New Fairfield, CT
Anissa Gardiner | New London, CT
Adam Gardner | North Charleston, SC
Amya Gibbs | Middletown, CT
Joelle Goetz | Niantic, CT
Keeano Gonzalez | New London, CT
Marybeth Gonzalez | Waterford, CT
Katelynn Goodman | Virginia Beach, VA
Charles Gragg | Stamford, CT
Jack Green | Niantic, CT
Wilmer Grullon | New London, CT
Nicholas Gyra | Wenham, MA
Cameron Haefs | Cary, IL
Benjamin Harrison | Yardley, PA
Malaki Hart | Milford, CT
Maren Harwood | East Lyme, CT
Joseph Hayes | Stonington, CT
John Hayes | New Milford, CT
Elda Hernandez | Groton, CT
Madeline Hill | New York, NY
Melanie Hintz | Bristol, CT
Christina Housley | Virginia Beach, VA
Juliana Huber | Columbia, SC
Zoe Hull | Quaker Hill, CT
Jade Hypolite | Rosenberg, TX
Ava Iwasko | Sterling Heights, MI
Chelsea Jackson | East Hartford, CT
Oscar Jacquot | Brooklyn, NY
Noah James | New London, CT
Collin Jefferson | St Lucie West, FL
Chloe Jennings | Ledyard, CT
John Jerrild | Fairfield, CT
Joshua Jones | Hampstead, NH
Matthew Keatley | Waterford, CT
Ronnie Keays | Salem, NH
Asya Kerr | Groton, CT
Sean Khan | Wethersfield, CT
Mehr Khattar | Avon, CT
Corrine Khoussa | Staten Island, NY
Anna Kochansky | Bronxville, NY
Gavin Kovacs | Wallingford, CT
Dennis Kurucu | Matthews, NC
Emma LaBreck | Rollinsford, NH
Matthew Ladd | Griswold, CT
Gemma Landry | Lewiston, ME
Sarah Latch | Hampstead, NH
Luca Laurence | Greenwich, CT
Julia Lent | Miller Place, NY
Evan Lipski | Melbourne, FL
Nicholas Litke | North Stonington, CT
Yesenia Lovaton | New London, CT
Kyrsten Lucas | Manchester, MD
Marissa Luna | Houston, TX
Michael Marchetti | Waterbury, CT
Gillian Mathre | Council Bluffs, IA
Jenica Mccauley-Logan | New London, CT
David Meiliken | Rye, NY
Gaia Mourad | Venice, CA
Alexander Nardone | Wellesley Hills, MA
Shaylla Neto | Groton, CT
Max Netto | Derby, CT
Hannah Nota | Marshfield, MA
Kristina O’Hanlon | White Plains, NY
Timothy O’Hayre | Hull, MA
Aliannys Ortiz | Groton, CT
Diamara Pagan | Norwich, CT
Savier Paige | Wethersfield, CT
Luke Pavia | Bolton, MA
Jennifer Peck | Glastonbury, CT
Hannah Penn | New Fairfield, CT
Autumn Pepin | Jewett City, CT
Inonda Peterson | Missouri City, TX
Hannah Pogoda | Boston, MA
Sofia Prada | New York, NY
Thomas Progano | East Hampton, CT
Emily Reynolds | Somers, CT
Austin Rhodes | Branford, CT
Mason Rockmore | Westfield, NJ
Santiago Rodriguez | Old Lyme, CT
Cassandra Roman | New London, CT
Maeve Ronan | Fairfield, CT
Charlotte Rowley | Bedford, NY
Zia Sandefer | Goshen, CT
Matthew Schwartz | New City, NY
Tessa Seesock | Jacksonville, FL
Thai-ler Sestokas | Danbury, CT
Ta’Naya Shaw | Edgewater, NJ
Natalie Smith | Massapequa Park, NY
Emma Stahl | Waterford, CT
Arrianna Stark | Schenectady, NY
Alisha Sutton | Morton Grove, IL
Grant Swick | Houston, TX
Brooke Taylor | Uncasville, CT
N’Tai Teague | Richmond, TX
Haley Tedeschi | Mystic, CT
Cole Terni | Oakdale, CT
Charles Terni | Oakdale, CT
Marissa Thiel | Killingworth, CT
Micheal Thompson | Rio Rancho, NM
Sofia Turpin | Waterford, CT
Duneshka Vazquez | Westerly, RI
Cole Verrelli | Beacon Falls, CT
Brittney Wheeler | Southbury, CT
Brooke Whitmarsh | Portsmouth, RI
Jordan Williams | Taftville, CT
Theodore Wolf | Bayonne, NJ
Jacob Yoensky | Groton, CT
Francesca Zamarripa | Lithia, FL
Cassidee Zollinger | Roy, UT

Commendable Scholars List 

Aidan Acor | Gales Ferry, CT
Braiden Alaimo | Enfield, CT
Gabriel Ansani | Trumbull, CT
Walker Baillargeon | Norwich, CT
Jamya Beddoe | New London, CT
Harry Bernard | Goleta, CA
Chase Bonnin | Colchester, CT
Marc Boorady | New York, NY
Corbett Brassaw | Mansfield Center, CT
Olivia Bump | Columbus, OH
Alex Burrell | Oakdale, CT
Jadon Canelli | Northford, CT
Alberto Cantalini | Torrington, CT
Preston Cheng | Staten Island, NY
Andrew Colwick | Plantsville, CT
Kevin Connelly | Scarsdale, NY
Nathan DaCruz | Seymour, CT
Madelaine D’Amour | Tolland, CT
Oscar DaSilva | Shaker Heights, OH
Katharine Dell | Ridgefield, CT
Jacob Ditscher | Danbury, CT
Madison Dunn | Brooklyn, NY
Isaiah Figueroa | Woonsocket, RI
Logan Finn | Cohasset, MA
Joseph Garry | New London, CT
Christopher Gibbs | New Britain, CT
Jared Hague | Cranston, RI
Jonathan Hecker | Falls Church, VA
Genna Hyde | Cypress, TX
Aidan Jacobson | Branford, CT
Halie Jennings | New London, CT
Edward Kaftan | Old Lyme, CT
Sarah Keefe | Cheyenne, WY
Oliver Kerrigan | West Hartford, CT
Sean Kresge | Waterford, CT
Mia Larson | Sutton, MA
Cassandra Lattarulo | Bristol, CT
Brandon Lee | Stockton, CA
Alessio Liberti | Glen Rock, NJ
Dylan Lucey | Lebanon, CT
Nathan Mahoney | Stonington, CT
Stephen Mallaney | Madison, NJ
Abdul Mansaray | Ponte Vedra, FL
Nasiah Martinez | Bristol, CT
Hunter Martocchio | Riverton, CT
Kenia Mateo | New London, CT
Lindsy McFarlane | Plainfield, CT
Kingsley McHale | New London, CT
Andrew McKenna | Essex, MA
Shamus McLean | Groton, CT
Emma McNamara | Westfield, NJ
Kenneth Miller Jr | New London, CT
Chloe Morrissey | Hingham, MA
Thomas Moynahan | Fairfield, CT
Matthew Mullaney | Salem, MA
Jose Pacheco | New London, CT
Jonathan Parra-Tobey | New London, CT
Ileana Perez | North Arlington, NJ
Morgyn Perkins | Bristol, CT
Austin Polak | Ambler, PA
Tyler Powell | Middletown, CT
Jacob Quiles | Wallkill, NY
Jackson Rappel | Fairfield, CT
Angelia Rheaume | East Lyme, CT
Hana Rihani | Washington, DC
Emily Rizzo | Southbury, CT
Liam Robb | Rockaway, NJ
Alysson Schuyler | Gales Ferry, CT
PJ-Elijah Sebastian | New London, CT
Tyler Sebor | West Sayvill , NY
Adam Soliman | Milford, CT
Julia Stasiowski | Manchester, CT
Jordyn Streitmatter | Dennis Port, MA
Christina Thompson | Oswego, NY
Casey Tichy | Easton, CT
Melissa Tucker | Wilton, CT
Bryan Uredi | Lagos, Nigeria
Adam Vartanian | Cumberland, RI
Joseph Volkerts | New London, CT
Haley Westfal | Lakewood, CA
Ricardo Williams | Bridgeport, CT
Molly Wordell | East Haddam, CT
Aliyana Wright-Thomas | New London, CT
Grace Yeung | Belle Mead, NJ

Radio Mitchell Earns College Radio Award

Radio Mitchell recently won the Spirit of College Radio Awards 2024, ranked #5 best college radio station globally by the organizers of World College Radio Day. One of 10 winners out of hundreds of stations that participated in the outreach event of the College Radio Foundation, they were chosen as embodying “the passion and mission of college radio.” The College Radio Foundation supports student radio including online, cable, carrier current, and FM and AM outlets.

According to sophomore Joshua “Jay” Bar-Nadav, president of operations for Radio Mitchell, the Radio Mitchell team used project management skills and business strategies learned in their business management courses at Mitchell. The team worked extensively on downloading thousands of songs and promoting and marketing the event through social media, flyers, and mass emails.

“The award highlights our hard work and dedication to the brand, business, and radio,” he said.

College Radio Day was founded in 2010 to “harness the combined listenership of hundreds of thousands of radio listeners throughout the world and to celebrate the important contribution of college radio by uniting for this one day,” according to the organization’s website collegeradio.org.

Radio Mitchell has also been featured in The Day newspaper and in an article by Gretchen A. Peck, an E&P Editor and Publisher journalist, titled “Broadcasting Beyond Boundaries.”

Listen to Radio Mitchell at radiomitchellonline.com or on the RadioFX mobile app.

The 2024 Spirit of College Radio Award winners include:

  1. Aggie Radio 92.3 KBLU(LP) — Utah State University (USA)
  2. Conexión Abierta — Universidad Abierta Interamericana (Argentina)
  3. Juice FM — Cork (Ireland)
  4. 9 KWSC(FM) “The Cat” — Wayne State College (USA)
  5. Radio Mitchell — Mitchell College (USA)
  6. Unica Radio — Università degli Studi di Cagliari (Italy)
  7. 5 WERG(FM) — Gannon University (USA)
  8. 3 WESS(FM) — East Stroudsburg University (USA)
  9. WOLF Radio and WOLF Sports Network — University of West Georgia (USA)
  10. WXBC — Bard College (USA)

 

Nursing Program Added for Fall 2025

To address a critical shortfall of nurses in today’s healthcare system, including in our home state of Connecticut, Mitchell College has added a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program to our roster of career-focused majors, providing exciting new opportunities for those considering work in a health-related field. Built on our abilities-based model—which teaches adaptability and resiliency throughout the curriculum—the Mitchell BSN is designed to empower and support students from different backgrounds and experiences to pursue work in this rapidly growing, in-demand field.

Unique to this program is the opportunity to study nursing in a learning community focused on accessibility and neuroequity, which have direct impacts on health equity. The program aligns with Mitchell’s core of mission to offer opportunity and possibility by supporting learners and community members who are often underserved in the nation’s education system and in broader society.

Dr. Tracy Y. Espy, president of Mitchell College, said, “Within Connecticut, there is a strong demand for nursing professionals and a waitlist for seats in nursing programs. Making the nursing profession—one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States—accessible to our students meets both their needs and workforce demands. It also offers a pathway for Licensed Practical Nurses to complete their BSN. Mitchell College is especially proud to serve the wider community in Southeastern Connecticut by preparing our students to fill healthcare needs. We are located just one mile from Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, our lead clinical partner, and within close proximity to our other clinical partners. Mitchell is excited to leverage these community resources for learning and practice opportunities for our students.”

“Lawrence + Memorial Hospital is thrilled that Mitchell College is adding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to its degree offerings,” said Mitchell College board member and L+M Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Shannon Christian. “There is a critical need for nurses at L+M, at Westerly Hospital, and across all the Yale New Haven Health hospitals. Programs like this that will help reduce the shortage of nurses is a win-win for everyone. We look forward to collaborating with Mitchell College on clinical opportunities for these students.”

Clinical Partners
In addition to Yale New Haven Health/Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, other clinical partners include Colchester and Waterford public schools, Shoreline Therapy Center, and the State of Connecticut Department of Correction. In each of the six semesters of the program, students will participate in a clinical placement, a patient care experience designed to expose them to a variety of healthcare settings and patient populations.

Learning in an environment that embraces, celebrates, and supports differences will directly benefit the experience and success of students in the nursing program. It will also foster an awareness and understanding to develop sensitivities in delivering healthcare. The nursing program embodies person-centered care with respect to diversity, differences, preferences, values, needs, resources and the determinants of health unique to the individual.

Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Beaulieu, vice president for academic affairs, said, “The mission of the nursing program, which embodies the foundational principle of person-centered care, is to celebrate and develop unique nursing students who will cultivate ethical values, quality care, a spirit of intellectual inquiry, and a readiness to serve others. The program is also equipped to address the needs of our students. While in the program, nursing students can take advantage of a flexible make-up policy to participate in extracurricular activities and individualized accommodation planning that will meet students where they are. Transfer students are also welcome to apply, as previous college credits are given thoughtful consideration during the admissions process.”

SIM Lab
Mitchell College recently completed a simulation lab on campus for student nurses that is fully equipped with medical equipment and training manikins, thanks to funding from the Edward and Mary Lord Foundation. The lifelike manikins span all ages, including an infant, a youth, and a maternity manikin, and reflect a diversity of skin shades. Students will use both high- and low-fidelity manikins in the SIM lab to practice a variety of healthcare techniques and procedures. Successful completion of the BSN program will authorize students to sit for the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination-RN) to become a Registered Nurse (RN).

New London Mayor Michael Passero said, “I am thrilled about the new nursing program at Mitchell College and the extraordinary opportunities that it brings to our city and region. The program is not only a path to a great career, but simultaneously answers the rising demand for healthcare professionals, right here in New London.”

The nursing program also received funding the CT Health Horizons.

More Information
The first cohort of nursing students will begin in Fall 2025. Admission to the BSN program is determined after successful completion of first-year perquisites in the health sciences. For information about the Mitchell College Nursing Program, including how to apply and financial aid options, go to mitchell.edu/academic-programs/nursing.

 

Pilot Program Reduces Costs for County Residents

Mitchell College is launching a pilot program to make four years of college more affordable for soon-to-be high school graduates living in New London County. The Mitchell College Pilot Promise Program for New London County Residents will offer fixed fees for four consecutive years: tuition and fees fixed at $20,000 per year and housing and food for on-campus residency fixed at $10,000 per year, for a total of $30,000 per year.

Dr. Tracy Y. Espy, Mitchell College president, said, “By making college more affordable through the Mitchell College Pilot Promise Program for New London County Residents, students from our region can both benefit from and contribute to a vibrant campus experience. The convenience of on-campus living provides students with greater opportunities to engage with the community and have access to resources. We are excited to welcome more New London County residents to our Mitchell Mariner community through this program.”

To be an eligible program applicant, a student must be a 2025 high school graduate of any New London County high school, with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Once admitted to the program, students must live on campus, actively participate in Mitchell College community outreach throughout their college experience, and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA. Additional eligibility requirements apply.

Apply here, or for more information, contact admissions@mitchell.edu or call 860-701-5037.

 

Mitchell College Ranked for Excellence by Leading Sources

Two top college-planning resources recently recognized Mitchell College for excellence in educational opportunities for students.

Mitchell College earned top spots in two categories in the 2025 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges. The college ranked #30 for Best Regional College North (tie) and #21 for Top Performers on Social Mobility (tie).

The Best Regional Colleges category features colleges focused on undergraduate education that grant fewer than half their degrees in liberal arts disciplines. Rankings for the Social Mobility category were based on the success of enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students with Pell Grants, federal grants mostly awarded to students whose adjusted gross family incomes are under $50,000.  

For a third year (2022, 2024, 2025), Mitchell College has been named a Hidden Gem College in New England by College Raptor, an online college planning tool. To qualify as a Hidden Gem, Mitchell met requirements based on school size, program selection, and acceptance rate. College Raptor noted that the schools on the Hidden Gems Colleges list offer “outstanding programs and experiences to their students.”

To learn more:

Best Regional Colleges in America | US News Best Colleges

https://www.collegeraptor.com/best-colleges/hidden-gems/new-england/