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Game On: Mitchell Alumna Scores a Career Win at ESPN

Jan 30, 2026 | Stories

The power of networking—and serendipity—helped Emily Reynolds ’25 land a job at ESPN, a dream since middle school. She began working as a Stats Analyst II at the network just after graduating from Mitchell College.

“ESPN is a hard company to get your foot in the door. When I was a student at Mitchell, I applied for an internship there, thinking it was a way in. I was upset when I didn’t get it,” she said.

Not one to give up on a challenge, Emily seized on another opportunity and ran with it.

“When I was a senior, my mom was having her hair done and talking about her kids. She mentioned that I wanted to work at ESPN after college. Her hairdresser said she knew someone in the Stats and Analysis department there. I emailed her contact with my background and interests. I offered to work in any capacity—full-time, part-time, volunteer—anything to get into the company.”

Mitchell builds foundation of confidence

Having the confidence to make that new connection and reach for her dreams comes from the foundation she built at Mitchell.

“Mitchell allows you to be you and create your own experience, using its amazing people who help you meet your goals. It pushes you to get out there, get to know others, and figure out how to communicate. When I first got to college, I was not the biggest fan of being away from home. I called home a lot and didn’t let myself be in the moment. But then, I stepped out of my comfort zone and made the experience the best it could be.”

Emily played Mitchell College softball, participated in the Honors Program, served as public address announcer for Athletics, and supported Admissions as a student ambassador.

A surprise before graduation

Just a few weeks before graduation, she was surprised to receive an email from her new contact at ESPN.

“I was on the team bus heading to a game in New Hampshire when the email came in. There was an opening in the Stats and Analysis department, and I was encouraged to apply. This was a huge opportunity. I filled out the application after my game, but my mom told me to go to bed first and then submit it with a clear head. I didn’t get out of bed the next day until I submitted it!”

Before securing the position, Emily participated in four Zoom interviews, including a 2-hour news observation. She didn’t step foot on the ESPN campus until her first day of work.

“My department produces stats that are used on Sportscenter, espn.com, and the ESPN app. In my role, I make sure the feeds from stadiums come into our systems correctly, so that fans and viewers see scores and stats properly. I cover all sports, from NFL and NBA to college football and basketball to professional hockey. The Olympics are also part of the lineup this year, which I am excited about. I enjoy the managed chaos of the job. Every day is different, and I am always learning something new.”

Feeling prepared

Emily, who majored in communication, draws on many lessons learned at Mitchell. She honed skills and developed a growth mindset.

“Mitchell prepared me in so many ways. I use a lot of Microsoft applications in my work and became proficient through my freshman Infotech class. The small, accessible size of the college encouraged me to make my experience my own and work my way into various leadership roles. I was softball team captain my junior year and president of the Mitchell Student-Athlete Advisory Council for two years, representing the school at the conference level as a voice for all Mitchell athletes. I also fostered skills that I use every day, from learning how to communicate with different people to adapting to problems in real time to reach a solution. Being part of a team means finding ways to win and achieve success for the benefit of everyone, not just a single person.”

She added, “Looking to take on new roles is also something that I am carrying over to my work at ESPN. I recently stepped up and offered to work with the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) director to enhance the college championship webpages. This is outside of my regular job responsibilities, but I want to be exposed to different areas in the company to personalize my experience there.”

Learning by ‘branching out, meeting people, asking questions’

As a Mitchell student, Emily completed a summer internship with the Cape Cod Baseball League. Working with a team, she met individuals representing both college and professional baseball, as many players were hoping to be drafted onto professional teams. She takes that experience with her.

“It’s cool because when I watched the draft, I saw a lot of kids from my team being drafted. It opened my eyes to how to cover the Cape Cod Baseball League at ESPN and makes me wonder how we could use SEO to cover a team.”

Eventually, Emily hopes to move her way into the position of sideline reporter or TV personnel on Sportscenter, her ultimate dream. Today she is happy to learn the ins and outs of her department and have fun while doing it.

“We do small but important and meaningful work. The departments located in my building deal with behind-the-scenes research and stats that go into the ear of a broadcaster or a graphic on Sportscenter. I’d like to move up through the positions across departments. I am thrilled to be learning about all the opportunities. The people are so nice and have similar interests. You can talk about a random sports thing and go down a rabbit hole.”

Reflecting on her journey to ESPN and how she plans to make the most of her experience, she said, “It’s amazing how opportunities come up. Branching out, meeting people, asking questions. That will serve me well and help me in my time there.”

A young woman stands in front of a red, white, and black banner that says ESPN Picnic Forever
Photo Credit: ESPN Staff

Inspired by Experience to Support Children in Foster Care

Jan 16, 2026 | Stories

Jon Parra-Tobey ’26 has a clear career plan—and passion—driving his pursuit of a degree at Mitchell College. He wants to help support kids in the foster care system, as he was as a child, and work for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF). Through a combination of academic studies and an internship, he is on track to get there.

“I lived with seven different families from ages 8 to 12, when I was adopted. I came to Mitchell to prepare to work with DCF and help kids experiencing the same things I did,” he said.

Internship leads to employment

A psychology major with a criminal justice minor, Jon completed an internship at the Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School in New London. He worked with social workers there. Upon completing his internship, he was hired as a paraprofessional, a position he has now held for two years.

He was recently named Employee of the Quarter.

“My favorite part of the job is seeing my students’ improvement over time and how excited or happy they are to see me each day. Knowing that I am making a positive difference in their growth and even confidence motivates me each day.”

Being a paraprofessional can be challenging, and Jon is often assigned to students who struggle behaviorally.

“Patience was easily the biggest struggle I had. I work closely with students who have strong emotional and behavioral needs, which made some days unpredictable. There were plenty of times when progress felt slow, and it was hard to stay calm and consistent while handling repeated behaviors and outbursts. It took some time for me to realize that every student has a different pace and just needs steady support,” he said.

“My psychology courses at Mitchell helped me realize my students aren’t just acting this way for no reason. There are deeper roots to the cause of their behavior, whether trauma or unmet learning needs. My courses helped me with seeing things I wouldn’t have normally paid mind to.”

After graduating from high school, Jon took a year off to think about what he wanted to do in life. He grew up in New London “right down the road” from Mitchell College. His mother is an alumna, so he was very familiar with what Mitchell has to offer. He kept coming back to working for DCF and knew Mitchell was the right place to pursue that goal.

“I’ve got ADHD and ADD, so I struggle sometimes with focusing, especially in larger classrooms. So, I knew Mitchell would be a smart decision for me. At Mitchell I had a relationship with my professors and received one-to-one help if I needed it. Mitchell is a great school for the things that you need. Some kids are looking for larger party schools. This is a place to come and get your education and you’re going to be good.”

Coursework and skills strengthen confidence in the workplace

Drawing on course content as a paraprofessional, Jon also uses learned skills based on the Mitchell Ability Model. This foundation for adaptability and resilience serves him well in his work every day.

“I’ve used the Mitchell Ability Model time and time again, especially critical thinking and social interaction. There have been times when I don’t have the answer or correct way to go about something and had to come up with my response or actions on the fly. I also work with many different students and coworkers and interact with them every day.”

The skills he learned also gave him the confidence to approach school administrators about a proposed change in his duties.

“I was supposed to be moved to work with another student, but I wasn’t comfortable with some of the behaviors that were occurring. At first, I didn’t want to say anything but decided I should, and I did. I was able to stay where I was.”

In pursuing his goals, he also credits the support he has gotten from faculty and staff at Mitchell.

“All of my courses have helped me with next steps in my life, as well as the people I have gotten to know. I know I can always email or text if I have questions. They will always be there to answer them.”

Next steps

Jon has taken the next step in pursuing his dream of working at DCF. He completed his degree in December 2025 and has applied to be a full-time social worker with the State of Connecticut.

He counts three people as his inspiration for pursuing this role: Professor Jennifer Mauro, associate professor at Mitchell; his mother Franca Polimeni ’95, who was a social worker with DCF; and the social worker who worked with him when he was in foster care, with whom he keeps in touch.

“They all helped me realize the potential I have in this career and have been role models through it all.”

His experience as a student at Mitchell has also broadened his horizons when thinking about the future.

“My goal has always been DCF, but, working in a school, I see other opportunities as well. School social worker or behavior interventionist are positions I could pursue down the road. Being able to give back is what excites me the most.”

Jon Parra-Tobey

Strong Foundation of Abilities Helps Student Juggle Athletics, Honors, Internship

Dec 8, 2025 | Stories

A Mitchell baseball player and Honors Program student, senior business major Savier Paige balances schoolwork, practice, and an internship.

He is grateful to use the technology, communication, and problem-solving abilities gained through Mitchell’s Ability Model, woven throughout the curriculum. Savier applies the skills at his internship with Quinn, Hary & Gellar, a New London marketing and communications firm.

Mitchell College requires every student to complete an internship.

“I found my internship by working with Paul Dunn in the Integrative Career Development office. I was looking for an opportunity that would align with what I want to do long-term for a career.”

During his semester-long internship, he works two to three days each week in the office.

“My days vary, posting calendar listings for clients on various websites and platforms. I also search for visual assets in the public domain that can be used in design. Then I keep track of the details on an Excel spreadsheet—whether they are videos or photos, horizontal or vertical—and do other tasks. Sometimes I figure out how to get information on my own, thinking of different ways to get it, working down the ladder,” he said.

“I had the opportunity to sit in a meeting for the firm’s biggest client, helping plan a 60th anniversary celebration. We talked about costs, food, promotional levels for sponsors, a silent auction, and other things. I was able to give input on the design of a brochure, sharing my ideas on what I thought was visually appealing.”

The thing he likes best about his internship is building connections with the people who work at the firm.

“My favorite part of my internship is the people. Everyone is high energy and conversations are exciting. It’s a small group that feels like a family. I love to come to the office every chance I get, and I am comfortable enough that I can ask for help from anyone.”

Looking Toward the Future

When he graduates, Savier said he will probably seek opportunities in marketing and sales. He also has an interest in gaining experience in public relations, graphic design, and web design.

“As I am exposed to more, I can figure out exactly what I would like to pursue.”

Back on campus, Savier said that sometimes it’s challenging to balance everything. He attributes his success to his favorite Mitchell traits: a calm and beautiful location on the water and a strong, close-knit community that feels like a family.

“Everybody cares about each other in our school whether they know someone or not. And that creates a family within the school.”

Looking toward the future, Savier said, “Mitchell has prepared me in a great way for after graduation. I get one-on-one interaction with professors, and the opportunities outside of school are better, in my opinion, than at a bigger school. I enjoy focusing on what I need to get done to prepare myself for the future and look forward to looking back and thanking Mitchell.” 

Savier Paige

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.”

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.

Mitchell Faculty Host ‘Pints & Professors’ Speaker Series in Downtown New London

Oct 2, 2025 | Stories

Mitchell College faculty are taking their knowledge and expertise from the classroom to the street (Bank Street, New London, that is!), giving back to and engaging with the local community.

“Pints & Professors,” a free speaker series for the public, kicks off on Monday, October 6, at 7 p.m. at The Social Bar + Kitchen, 208 Bank Street, New London. (Watch for announcements about additional talks.)

Professor Luke Walden, M.F.A., who teaches digital communication at Mitchell, will share his perspective as an “accidental historian,” filmmaker, educator, and co-director of the documentary “The Narcotic Farm” (2009). The film, which aired nationally on public television, explores the story of America’s first federal narcotics prison-hospital in Lexington, KY. The institution became both a treatment center and a research hub and is considered the “Ground Zero for American’s first war on drugs.”

Professor Elyse Gessler, Ph.D., event organizer, said, “Knowledge and education are two things that everyone should have access to. I wanted to create an intentional event where we leave campus, meet the public in a relaxing and approachable space, and have some engaging discussions. In my experience, there is nothing that brings people together like good food and drink. Giving our faculty an opportunity to share their research, practitioner, and education experiences over a pint make for a fabulous event to showcase the depth of knowledge and expertise across the Mitchell College faculty.”

Watch “The Narcotic Farm” here: https://vimeo.com/91392115
Read about the researchers’ experiences here: https://lnkd.in/g_hYPDAS
Read more from The Social and reserve a table here.