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State Funding to Expand Accessibility to Mitchell Woods

Jul 24, 2024 | News

Mitchell College was recently awarded a $396,960 grant for Mitchell Woods: Accessibility in Action by the Connecticut Recreational Trails Grant Program through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The project will expand accessibility of Mitchell Woods to a broad range of users, including college students, seniors, preschool and school-age children, hearing- and sight-impaired individuals, and the greater community. Improvements will include universally accessible trails, multiple respite areas with benches, interpretive signage, and wayfinding improvements for people with visual and sensory impairments. When complete, Mitchell Woods will offer one mile of fully accessible recreational trails in the heart of New London. The project is expected to take 12 to 18 months to complete.

Dr. Tracy Y. Espy, president of Mitchell College, said, “Since initial improvements were made to Mitchell Woods almost 10 years ago, we have received many requests to increase accessibility even more. We are excited to create the best experience possible for all trail users, including visitors from the New London area and greater Southeastern Connecticut community.”

Several community organizations, including the New London Senior Center, the LEARN Regional Educational Service Center, and the South East CT Community Center of the Blind, participated in a needs assessment for the project, helping to ensure that Mitchell Woods will be universally accessible. The USDA Forest Service Accessibility Guidebook for Outdoor Recreation and Trails will also be utilized in the trail design.

Mitchell Woods is a 26-acre public park that includes wooded trails and a pond, in addition to a basketball court, two Little League fields, and the Children’s Learning Center at Mitchell College. The project includes the completion of a concrete promenade, addition of stone dust to natural surface trails, stone curbing on the trail-side edge of the pond, boardwalk railings, signage, and wayfinding elements using auditory, tactile, and textural cues to enrich experiences for all.

Spring 2024 Academic Honors Recipients

Jun 24, 2024 | News

Congratulations to the following Mitchell College students named to the Spring 2024 Dean’s List (3.50+ GPA) or Commendable Scholar 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

Zhane Adams | Norwich, CT

Jocelynn Allen | Clinton, CT

Jenny Alvarez | New London, CT

Julia Alves | Portsmouth, RI

Kathryn Anderson | Chesapeake, VA

Nicholas Anderson | Madison, CT

Avery Appiah | Old Saybrook, CT

Gabriela Aquino | New London, CT

Isabella Avalos | Chino, CA

Sarah Aviles | Griswold, CT

Jaileen Barber | Waterford, CT

Joshua Bar-Nadav | Narberth, PA

Samuel Bellos | Waterford, CT

Jenna Bennett | Shelton, CT

Harry Bernard | Goleta, CA

Taylor Bialowas | Jewett City, CT

Jenna Blankenship | Virden, IL

Sabrina Bloise | New London, CT

Allison Blum | Garden Grove, CA

Christopher Bradley | Babylon, NY

Olivia Bump | Columbus, OH

Grace Carey | Providence, RI

Rachel Casasnovas | West Haven, CT

Andrew Champagne | Pawcatuck, CT

Ethan Chavez | New London, CT

Jessica Cochran | Waterford, CT

Madison Cole | Westbrook, ME

Laiberth Contreras | Trumbull, CT

Paige Cornetta | Huntington, NY

Eleanore Corson | Ithaca, NY

Karissa Cotoia | North Scituate, RI

Kaila Crawford | Pleasanton, CA

Olivia DeCicco | Haverhill, MA

Ryan DeCosta | Niantic, CT

Gianmarco Delacruz | East Hartford, CT

Leandra DeLeon Mordan | Waterford, CT

Katharine Dell | Ridgefield, CT

Joseph DeLoria | New Hope, PA

Luke Demsey | Cheshire, CT

Matthew Dougherty | Waterford, CT

William Dreier | Barrington, RI

Zhangir Dyussenov | Astana, Zazakhstan

Kevin Ellis | Clinton, CT

Mahra Engdall | Waterford, CT

Isabel Foley | Framingham, MA

Morgan Fontaine | Killingworth, CT

Samuel Forst | Ellington, CT

Jameson Foster | Salem, CT

Tatyana Gales | Upper Marlboro, MD

Crystal Gangi | New Fairfield, CT

Christopher Gibbs | New Britain, CT

Marybeth Gonzalez | Waterford, CT

Angel Gonzalez Deleon | Laurel, DE

Tamara Gravell | Waterford, CT

Wilmer Grullon | New London, CT

Abdullah Hadhood | Ahmadi, Kuwait

Cameron Haefs | Cary, IL

Xavier Haney | Oakdale, CT

Maren Harwood | East Lyme, CT

John Hayes | New Milford, CT

Jonathan Hecker | Falls Church, VA

Robyn Higley | New London, CT

Melanie Hintz | Bristol, CT

Zoe Hull | Quaker Hill, CT

Chelsea Jackson | East Hartford, CT

Noah James | New London, CT

John Jerrild | Fairfield, CT

Sevda Kalican | Quaker Hill, CT

Asya Kerr | Groton, CT

Oliver Kerrigan | West Hartford, CT

Sean Kresge | Waterford, CT

Nicholas Krompegal | Bristol, CT

Jessica Krupnikoff | Unionville, CT

Matthew Ladd | Griswold, CT

Angel Ladford | Baltic, CT

Cole Lalli | Coventry, CT

Jason Landis | Summit, NJ

Gemma Landry | Lewiston, ME

Mia Larson | Sutton, MA

Julia Lent | Miller Place, NY

Katelyn Lipsky | Plantsville, CT

Kyrsten Lucas | Manchester, MD

Logan Maneri | Canterbury, CT

Sheldon Marcelin | Coral Springs, FL

Michael Marchetti | Waterbury, CT

Anthony Marini | Port Chester, NY

Jacqueline Mathieu | Ashford, CT

Daryl McGraw | Norwich, CT

Kingsley McHale | New London, CT

Kayla McKinney | Groton, CT

Gaia Mourad | Venice, CA

Alexander Nardone | Wellesley Hills, MA

Hannah O’Brien | Riverside, RI

Timothy O’Hayre | Hull, MA

Cameron O’Toole | Wellesley, MA

Diamara Pagan | Norwich, CT

Savier Paige | Wethersfield, CT

Jennifer Peck | Glastonbury, CT

Hannah Penn | New Fairfield, CT

Autumn Pepin | Jewett City, CT

Inonda Peterson | Missouri City, TX

David Pittman | New London, CT

Austin Polak | Ambler, PA

Dontae Pollard | Fort Walton Beach, FL

Carly Potts | New London, CT

Thomas Progano | East Hampton, CT

Jackson Rappel | Fairfield, CT

Julianna Repaci | New Britain, CT

Emily Reynolds | Somers, CT

Emily Rizzo | Bethel, CT

Ayla Robinson | New London, CT

Mason Rodriguez | Danbury, CT

Charlotte Rowley | Bedford, NY

Yasmine Santos | Pawtucket, RI

Matthew Schwartz | New City, NY

Tessa Seesock | Jacksonville, FL

Ta’Naya Shaw | Edgewater, NJ

Logan Smith | Quaker Hill, CT

Julia Stasiowski | Manchester, CT

Luke Sullivan | Shelton, CT

Steven Swiderski | Hooksett, NH

Brooke Taylor | Uncasville, CT

Haley Tedeschi | New London, CT

Micheal Thompson | Rio Rancho, NM

Casey Tichy | Easton, CT

Melissa Tucker | Wilton, CT

Duneshka Vazquez | Norwich, CT

Jaden Violette | Woonsocket, RI

Nathanael Votta | Avon, CT

Alexia Watson | Stamford, CT

Kaylin White | Silver Spring, MD

Lola Worsdale | Stonington, CT

Jacob Yoensky | Groton, CT

Commendable Scholar 

Chloe Athanas | Gaithersburg, MD

Jamya Beddoe | New London, CT

Rajiah Betts-Smith | Windsor, CT

Aubrey Borden | San Jose, CA

Nicholas Bracale | East Haven, CT

Ernest Britt | Norwalk, VA

Sean Brooks | New London, CT

Aidan Buck | Plantsville, CT

Alex Burrell | Oakdale, CT

Robert Campbell | Glastonbury, CT

Wilton Causey | Worcester, MA

Caleb Cobb | Fort Pierce, FL

Andrew Colwick | Plantsville, CT

Kevin Connelly | Scarsdale, NY

Nathan DaCruz | Seymour, CT

Lyliana Daly | Teaneck, NJ

Caroline Davis | Short Hills, NJ

Jacob Ditscher | Danbury, CT

Katherine Donahue | Portland, CT

Brady Ensko | Brockton, MA

Jacob Faigel | Natick, MA

Michael Ficocelli | North Providence, RI

Matthew Fingal | Port St Lucie, FL

Aidan Fontaine | Mystic, CT

Nicholas Forst | Ellington, CT

Amber Francis | New London, CT

Morgan Frost | Brunswick, ME

Angel Galindez | Hamden, CT

Anissa Gardiner | New London, CT

Archie Gardner | North Charleston, SC

Joseph Garry | New London, CT

Sydnee Gaskin | Englewood, NJ

Hannah Gomes | Colchester, CT

Keeano Gonzalez | New London, CT

Sarah Grim | Reisterstown, MD

Nicholas Gyra | Wenham, MA

Malaki Hart | Milford, CT

Joseph Hayes | Stonington, CT

Shane Henderson | Las Vegas, NV

Aidan Jacobson | Branford, CT

Haley Jeske | Maricopa, AZ

Elon Johnson | Davenport, FL

Liam Kane | Waterford, CT

Matthew Keatley | Waterford, CT

Anna Kochansky | Bronxville, NY

Emma LaBreck | Rollinsford, NH

Sarah Latch | Hampstead, NH

Hannah Lemke | Moodus, CT

Kenneth Lewis | Windermere, FL

Christopher Llewelyn | Bloomfield, CT

Dylan Lucey | Lebanon, CT

Henry Lyle | Wellesley Hills, MA

Stephen Mallaney | Madison, NJ

Antonio Mattucci | Huntington, NY

Jenica Mccauley-Logan | New London, CT

Harold McKinney | East Haven, CT

Shamus McLean | Groton, CT

David Meiliken | Rye, NY

Kenneth Miller Jr | New London, CT

Chloe Morrissey | Hingham, MA

Alexander Moubayed | Swansea, MA

Matthew Murphy | Ledyard, CT

Owen Murphy | Milton, MA

Sean O’Donnell | Terryville, CT

Kristina O’Hanlon | White Plains, NY

Max Paolini | Trumbull, CT

Sarah Parker | North Stonington, CT

Robert Perry | Carver, MA

Liam Robb | Rockaway, NJ

Owen Robbins | Salem, CT

Kesean Robinson | Middletown, CT

Cassandra Roman | New London, CT

Alysson Schuyler | Groton, CT

Rahel Scully | Kingston, NH

Thai-ler Sestokas | Danbury, CT

Declan Shea | Williston, VT

Thomas Simmons | Holtsville, NY

Natalie Smith | Massapequa Park, NY

Gabriel Stanton-Catallo | West Hartford, CT

Arrianna Stark | Schenectady, NY

Nicholas Strojny | Woonsocket, RI

Daniel Sullivan | West Hartford, CT

Jayeson VanBeveren | Bristol, CT

Paola Varela | Cranston, RI

Joseph Volkerts | New London, CT

Orville Walgern-Byfield | White Plains, NY

Theodore Wolf | Bayonne, NJ

Mollie Yezza | West Hartford, CT

Francesca Zamarripa | Lithia, FL

Robert Zirlis | Clinton, CT

 

Mitchell College Now Eligible Training Provider in CT

Jun 12, 2024 | News

Mitchell College is proud to support local, regional, and state communities by providing high-quality online training through the Mitchell Hub for Digital Innovation & Educational Excellence (“The Mitchell Hub”). As an Eligible Training Provider in Connecticut, Mitchell makes it possible for eligible learners to obtain certifications in technology, business operations, and health and wellness and have the full cost of training covered by WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) funding.

Applicants may be eligible for WIOA funding if they are unemployed, low-income, a dislocated worker (lost employment due to company closure, layoff, or military spouse relocation), out-of-school school youth (age 18–24), veteran, or justice impacted. To determine eligibility for WIOA support, interested learners should contact their local American Job Center through cthires.gov to learn more.

Hub learners join a community of learners taking short courses on specific topics in high-demand careers. Committed to learner success, Mitchell College provides a success and support center to help individuals navigate online learning technology, develop strategies for successful online learning, and connect with other learners, industry mentors, and regional workforce organizations.

About WIOA Funding

In Connecticut, WIOA is managed through five Workforce Development Boards that provide access to training, job-seeking support, and career counseling to eligible individuals. Eligible courses are available in all regions of the state.

Workforce Development Boards include:

  • Eastern Region: Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board
  • South Central Region: Workforce Alliance
  • North Center Region: Capital Workforce Partners
  • Southwest Region: The Workplace, Inc.
  • Northwest Region: Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board, Inc.

About the Mitchell Hub

The Mitchell Hub was launched in January 2023 with support from U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, the U.S. Department of Education, the State of Connecticut, and the New England Board of Higher Education. In addition to WIOA-eligible courses, the Mitchell Hub offers a variety of online professional learning and upskilling courses to support career growth, including both certification and professional skill courses. Learners may enroll as individuals, and companies may integrate courses as part of employee onboarding or as an employee upskilling benefit. For more information on the Mitchell Hub, go to hub.mitchell.edu.

Congratulations to the Class of 2024

May 21, 2024 | News

In a year the college is celebrating its 85th anniversary, Mitchell College held its 80th Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 11, on the college green with the Thames River as a backdrop. Under sunny skies and surrounded by cheering friends and family, graduates received their diplomas from President Tracy Y. Espy, Ph.D., who conferred 10 associate degrees and 102 bachelor degrees. More than half of 2024 graduates were Honor Society Members and almost two-thirds earned the distinction of cum laude or higher.

President Espy noted in her remarks that she felt a special connection to the Class of 2024, having started at Mitchell College around the same time as the students in 2020. She also noted that many in this class did not enjoy a high school graduation celebration due to the pandemic, making this ceremony even more special and memorable.

Keynote Speaker

Dan Holdridge, M.S., a 9/11 survivor who was working and injured at the Pentagon when American Airlines Flight 77 hit, delivered the keynote address and implored the class to live in gratitude and kindness. “There is not a September 12 for everyone,” he said, “so live with no regrets.”

Holdridge told the class that the two most important days of our lives are “the day we were born and the day we figured out why,” and he shared the acronym “H.E.R.O.” (Help Everyone Regardless of Outcome). “We all have a hero within us to act when people need us, to provide hope when everything seems hopeless. The world needs heroes now more than ever—it’s radically possible, powerfully you,” he said.

Student Address

Class speaker Anthony Marini thanked the Mitchell College community of faculty, staff, and coaches, along with his family, for helping him reach graduation day. He reminded the Class of 2024 that life is never perfect, but adversities are “our most valuable teachers.” Quoting Rocky Balboa from the movie “Rocky” he said, “If you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits and not point fingers, saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or nobody. Cowards to that, and that ain’t you. You’re better than that!”

Marini reminded the class that life’s ups and downs have “fashioned you into the people you are now: resilient, eager, and ready to leave your mark on the world,” and urged the class to “accept diversity in all its forms and look for opportunities to learn from others whose experiences differ from yours.”

Success is not only measured by accomplishments, he said, but by the lives you touch. He shared a Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King quote: “The ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy.”

Academic Achievement

The 2024 Board of Trustees Award for Academic Achievement was presented to valedictorian William “Will” Marshall Dreier for achieving the highest GPA. The award was presented by Richard “Rick” D’Avino, J.D., chair of the Board of Trustees.

The 2024 Faculty Award for Academic Achievement was presented to salutatorian Jenna Marie Bennett for achieving the second highest GPA. The award was presented by Christine Ramsay, Ph.D., chair of the Faculty Committee of the Whole.

Alumni Charge

Johnathan Atkinson ’16, M.Ed., president of the Mitchell College Alumni Association, gave the alumni charge to the Class of 2024, welcoming them to the ranks of Mitchell College alumni. As the first class to enroll in the newly re-established Alumni Association, he urged the class to commit to helping the alumni community grow stronger. “You are part of a legacy now—a legacy of excellence, of reliance, of making a difference,” he said.

The Rev. Carolyn Patierno, M.Div., senior minister of All Souls New London, gave the invocation and benediction. The Mitchell College Select Chorus performed several choral pieces led by Prof. Jonathan “Jono” Babbitt, M.M.

Dan Holdridge, M.S. 9/11 Survivor

Keynote Speaker Dan Holdridge, M.S.
9/11 Survivor

Baseball Heads to NCAA Regional Championship Game

May 19, 2024 | News

Senior Camren Varney (Manchester, N.H.) tossed a complete game one-hitter, leading the Mitchell College baseball team past No. 9/11 Salisbury University 5-1 in NCAA Tournament action on Saturday afternoon in the Babson Park Regional at Govoni Field. They play Salisbury again Sunday at 11 a.m. in the championship game.

With an overall record of 34-11, the Mariners have matched the program’s all-time win total and will need just one victory on Sunday to advance to the Super Regional Round for the first time in program history.

The hard throwing right hander went the distance for the second consecutive outing, surrendering one run and two walks, while striking out six. Varney also hit three batters, but allowed only two batters to reach third base all game.

Senior third baseman Jack Hayes (New Milford, Conn.) led the Mariners at the plate, finishing 3-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Playing in his first game since April 23rd, sophomore Savier Paige (Wethersfield, Conn.) delivered a run scoring base hit to snap a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth inning, while Cole Lalli (Coventry, Conn.), Michael Ficocelli (North Providence, R.I.), Chas Terni Jr. (Montville, Conn.), Michael Gajda (New Britain, Conn.), and Thai-ler Sestokas (Danbury, Conn.) finished with one hit apiece for Mitchell in the win.

After Varney retired the side in order in the top of the first, the Sea Gulls threatened the following inning and got runners on first and second after two batters were hit by pitches. The hard throwing righty escaped the jam, however, inducing a fly out to centerfield and recording a strikeout to keep the game scoreless.

The Sea Gulls again got a man to second base in the top of the third after Andrew Kell drew a walk and stole second, but again Varney worked his way out of trouble by getting the next two batters to fly out. The first batter to advance past second base came in the top of the fifth when Max Ehrhardt walked with two outs, stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Varney stranded the runner 90 feet from home by punching out Kell, who watched an outside fastball get called for a strike.

The Mariners led off the bottom of the fifth with three straights singles by Jack Hayes, Chas Terni Jr., and Michael Gajda, setting up a bases loaded situation with no outs. Savier Paige then opened the scoring by lacing a run scoring single to centerfield, and Thai-ler Sestokas followed that up with an RBI groundout to give the Mariners a 2-0 edge.

Mitchell grew their lead in the sixth when Jack Hayes ripped a two-run bases loaded single up the middle off Salisbury relief pitcher Shawn Rosemond, and an error by the Sea Gulls followed which allowed the fifth run to cross home for the Mariners.

Following two more scoreless frames, Varney’s no-hit bid was spoiled when Danny Sheeler led off the inning with a single, and eventually came around to score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Dom Frigola. Salisbury starter Garrett Beaver was charged with his third loss of the spring after surrendering two runs in four innings of work.

 

To watch the livestream: https://babsonsportsnetwork.com/

To view the Regional Tournament homepage: https://babsonathletics.com/feature/2024baseballregional

For information on Mitchell Athletics, check out the Mitchell College Athletics website anytime.

Baseball Will Open NCAA Tournament on Friday at Babson Regional

May 15, 2024 | News

After capturing the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship during their inaugural season in the conference, the Mitchell College baseball team earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament. On Monday afternoon, the Mariners learned their fate in the Regional Round, and will travel to Babson College, which was selected as one of 6 regional hosts. They will play on Friday, May 17, at 1:30 p.m.

Under first-year head coach Shawn Gilblair, the Mariners (32-11) swept a best-of-three championship series against Johnson & Wales University to win the GNAC Championship on Friday, punching their ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive season and ninth time overall.

Mitchell, who surpassed the 30-win mark for the sixth time in the Division III era of the program, have never advanced out of the Regional Round. In 2023, the Mariners hosted a Regional Round for the first time in program history, and entered the final day of play in the driver’s seat, needing just one victory over Wheaton (Mass.) to advance. However, the Lyons upended the Mariners twice, ending Mitchell’s season on their home diamond.

The Mariners will face the host Beavers (30-11) in one of two games on Friday, while No. 7 Salisbury University (28-9) faces UMass Dartmouth (24-18-1) in the other opening round contest at Govoni Field.

Babson claimed their first New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) championship since 2018 on Sunday when they defeated Wheaton College twice to secure their sixth NCAA Tournament berth and first since 2019.

The Seagulls, who earned an at-large bid will be playing in their 24th consecutive NCAA Division III Tournament and will compete for a national championship for the 29th time in program history. Salisbury has played in every national tournament since 2000, qualifying for the College World Series on eight occasions.

The Corsairs earned the automatic qualifier after winning the Little East Championship on Saturday. They will be making their eighth trip in program history to the NCAA Tournament and the first since the 2000 season.

To watch the livestream: https://babsonsportsnetwork.com/

To view the Regional Tournament homepage: https://babsonathletics.com/feature/2024baseballregional

For information on Mitchell Athletics, check out the Mitchell College Athletics website anytime.