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Student’s Dream Shines Light on Others

Feb 13, 2024 | Stories

Inonda Peterson has lots of dreams.

“Dreams on dreams on dreams,” she said. “My biggest dream is to continue pushing in all that I do, never give up, and believe in myself so that I can help other people believe in themselves. I think that is why we are put on this earth: our purpose is to help other people.”

A Mitchell College student-athlete majoring in psychology, Peterson runs on the cross-country team and plays on the women’s basketball team. Despite a very busy schedule, the first-year student is also the force behind “Letting OUR Voices Be Heard,” a campus event celebrating Black History Month. The February 25 community event brings together dozens of Black performers and artists and Black-owned businesses to showcase Black excellence, especially for a younger generation.

“When I was growing up everyone I saw in the media who was deemed powerful was white. Through this event, I want to show the younger generation of people who look like me that they can be whoever they dream of being, despite racial limitations or what mainstream media says they can or cannot be because of the color of their skin.”

She points out that the event is for the entire community—all ages, skin colors, and backgrounds.

“Everyone can have a chance to be educated on Black culture and society and learn how they can better help support the Black community in ways they didn’t know before,” she said.

Last year Peterson launched a business called InondaWrites, LLC, with a mission to give a voice to those who have been silenced by pain. One of her projects (in addition to the event) is a book of poetry entitled “Till Death Do Us Part,” which depicts the stages of grief after heartbreak. It is intended for anyone, regardless of gender, race, or age.

Her own heartbreak came from a relationship with a boy that began and ended in high school.

“When you get into a relationship, sometimes you tie your identity to that person and forget who you were prior to them. You feel like you can’t live without them,” she said.

Power of Poetry

To work through her heartbreak Peterson turned to poetry, which she started to write at age 14 “after a dramatic life-changing situation” altered her view on life.

“I was embarrassed to talk to other people about my pain, so I started to write all my feelings down. I shared my writing with my auntie who helped me realize I was writing poetry. I was never labeled ‘a writer’ by my friends, just an athletic person. I was never an A+ student and got a lot of detentions. The day I found out I could write poetry changed my view of myself.”

Peterson said poetry gives someone a chance to explore emotions in a free place without fear of judgment.

“Poetry gave me a safe place to say everything that I ever wanted to say out loud on paper and to reason with and understand my emotions. That’s when I was finally able to heal. I want my poetry book to provide an outlet for others to say, ‘That’s how I feel. If she was able to heal, I can find the same light and heal.’”

Inspired by Faith

Her poetry also helped her discover that she didn’t need someone else to make her feel happy, to feel joy, or to succeed.

“All I needed was God,” she said. “The book explores and finds faith in darkness and heartbreak.”

Peterson said her faith also inspired her to conceive the Letting OUR Voices Be Heard event.

“God gave me the vision and helped uplift it and didn’t leave me. He helped bring people into my life that believed in the mission as well.”

Among the many people who have supported Inonda in her endeavors at Mitchell is Professor Kevin Booker, who teaches Peterson’s public speaking class. She pitched the event idea to him, and he encouraged her to make an event proposal and get people from around campus to join in support. (Peterson notes that from the greater community State Rep. Anthony Nolan also encouraged her, and she is especially grateful to community partner, mentor, and biggest supporter Lisa Ann Curtis who “has become like my family and has been like God’s angel in human form guiding me.”)

Coming from Houston, TX, Peterson chose Mitchell College as a way to “further expand my horizons to put myself out there and do something I never thought I would do.” She said her parents were “a little scared of me coming this far, but now that they see how I have adjusted to this community in a short amount of months, they’re really happy for me!”

She views Mitchell College as a place of opportunity, and she has jumped in feet first.

“You find yourself in a community that doesn’t judge you but accepts you for who you are. You can explore things that you like and may not like. You can be OK with failing because the professors will help pick you up and help you understand that you can do it, you don’t have to give up, you are not dumb, stupid, or anything people may label you. People can come here, be comfortable in their own skin, and explore their unique differences in a safe place.”

Student Puts the ‘Hospitality’ in Homeless Center

Nov 21, 2023 | Stories

For sophomore hospitality management major Nick Anderson, working as a volunteer at the New London Homeless Hospitality Center (HHC) has been an opportunity to practice his professional skills and gain insight into the complex issue of homelessness.

“During my volunteer work, I am constantly reminded why I chose hospitality as my major. I love working with people by helping them with their issues and making everyone feel welcomed and included in my work,” said Nick.

He volunteers weekly at the HHC as a service-learning project for his sociology class on social problems, taught by Professor Nancy Parent, Ph.D.

“I work at the help center, mainly at the mail desk where I sort and hand out our guests’ mail. I have come to admire the mail system and its importance to homeless people for whom getting mail is nearly impossible, and the problems with this are endless. Services like food stamps, Amazon packages, and court documents are sent by mail. If mail is not responded to, services might be rescinded and, in the case of court papers, warrants can be sent for otherwise minimal offenses,” he said.

On further reflection he said, “I find it hard to understand why homeless people are expected to send and receive mail in a timely manner if they do not possess a stable address. System inconsistencies like this are the reason why homelessness is, and will remain, a large problem if reforms are not made to accommodate people in diverse living situations.”

Learning About the Complexities of Homelessness

Through his sociology class, Nick has come to understand the complex issues that go along with homelessness, including mental health, drug addiction, and domestic violence.

“There are always difficulties in people’s lives, and being homeless only compounds those problems. Using something called intersectionality, we have learned about how each issue can affect other issues, making the big-picture understanding of societal issues easier,” he said.

Nick said that he has drawn on a variety of Mitchell Abilities during his work at the help center. He uses critical thinking and problem-solving skills to “tailor my help for each person I work with. There is never a one-size-fits-all answer to any given issue.”

He also recognizes the importance of effective communications and social interaction with guests at the HHC.

“Using thoughtful communication helps me deliver amazing service to everyone, and social interactions are critical for everyone, especially homeless people. Everybody wants to feel accepted and validated, and my work at the shelter allows me to do just that. Social interactions with guests are as important as my office work because both actions help the community improve their lives,” said Nick.

Nick also relies on the practical knowledge he has gained through his hospitality classes, including “management skills to lead others, and knowledge to provide compassionate help and useful guidance” to those he encounters at the shelter.

“I have learned the difference between empathy and sympathy,” he said, “and take ownership of what I do not know or what I have not experienced. I work at the shelter to help others, and people come to shelter to be helped. As long as we have the same goals in mind, we will make the world a better place.”

Growing in Confidence

Another job responsibility is receiving and transferring incoming calls to the shelter, something that was a challenge in the beginning.

“Confidence is my main challenge with everything, in that even though I know what I am doing, I still doubt my ability. When I started volunteering, I was terrified of answering the phone because of my fear that a question would be asked of me that I could not answer. Now I love taking calls because I am confident in my abilities, and I know where to look if I do not immediately have the answer.”

He added, “My service-learning has helped me gain confidence doing something that I love, and my favorite part of this experience is being part of something bigger than myself. I love working alongside other volunteers and employees who help the diverse community of New London.”

In addition to his work for his service-learning project, Nick is president of the Mitchell Hospitality, Event & Travel (MHET) Club, which he restarted after a few years of inactivity. The club coordinates with various groups across campus to host and volunteer at activities.

“I love the community at Mitchell College,” he said. “I am constantly amazed by the variety of people that I interact with every day, and I have found friends who love many of my interests as much as I do. I have also found the professors to be dedicated to their jobs and never hesitate to help me improve myself for my future work. If I am struggling with a topic, they help me understand, and when I want a challenge, I am encouraged to go above and beyond and dive into topics that I find especially interesting.”

Nick has found Mitchell College to be the right mix of support and opportunity, with experiences like his service-learning project with the HHC.

“When I was looking for a college, my main issue was finding a place that could support my needs and adapt to my improvements as I grow. Other schools either had full academic support with no way of shedding it as a student improved, or little to no academic support. Mitchell offered the best of both worlds. As a student in the Thames at Mitchell College program, I learned how to live independently in a college setting, effectively using my time to both study and spend time with friends. Now, as a sophomore, I have been accepted into the Honors Program and take classes to challenge my abilities and have access to support if I should need it.”

Nick Anderson stands in front of the mailboxes at the New London Homeless Hospitality Center.

Mitchell College Students Join Award-Winning Journalist’s National Podcast

Oct 27, 2023 | Stories

When Julio Ricardo Varela walked onto the Mitchell College campus to record a podcast with students on neuro-inclusivity, belonging, and radical hospitality, he didn’t have to look far for inspiration.

“I was instantly struck by how strong and welcoming the community was. There was a sense of belonging and home that felt very special,” he said.

The award-winning journalist, MSNBC opinion columnist, and founder of one of the top U.S. Latino digital media sites in the world hosted his weekly Latino Rebels Radio podcast at Mitchell College, thanks to support from the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.

Varela spent the day meeting with faculty and students and talked with the Mitchell community about the power of storytelling through podcasts and the craft of making them. During a morning discussion with communication classes, he explained that journalism and storytelling are a craft and a discipline.

“We have to be responsible” in telling stories “and be credible, honest, and truthful,” he said. He encouraged students to use their time at college to “tell stories in a supportive place.”

“Your stories matter. Everyone’s stories matter,” he added.

Why Tell Stories?

Varela explained that “We have ‘invisibilized’ so many voices for centuries that we have forgotten how our humanity connects us. In a country that continues to grow more and more socially isolated, we cannot give up, and [must] remind ourselves that storytelling from diverse voices will be what nourishes us.”

Latino Rebels Radio Podcast

Varela chose to record his weekly Latino Rebels Radio podcast at Mitchell College knowing the college’s reputation for inclusivity and specialized programs for all type of learners. He used a small panel format style and talked to two or three students at a time. Altogether seven Mitchell College students—Anna Kate Kochansky, Tommy Simmons, David Arbuckle, Will Dreier, Olivia DeCicco, Alyssa Hovey, and Joseph “JuJu” Volkerts—shared personal stories of the joys and challenges they experience attending a college committed to embracing and celebrating difference. The community was invited to watch as the podcast was taking place, and the room was full to capacity.

Varela spent the lunch hour before the recording getting to know the students, which Anna Kate Kochansky said was the most fun part of the experience.

“I enjoyed talking to Julio at lunch before the podcast. He gave me some tips, like ‘be yourself,’ and he also wrote down the topics he was going to talk about. It was super interesting to be part of the podcast recording,” Kochansky said.

David Arbuckle agrees.

“I had a lot of fun talking with Julio before and during the podcast. His relaxed and understanding attitude helped ease any stress. Julio enabled the interviewees and audience to be more authentically engaged by framing neurodiversity through a realistic lens and incorporated humor and praise organically.”

When asked about the rewards and challenges of interviewing, Varela said, “I am inherently curious, so I enjoy asking people questions and trying to make them feel comfortable to share their stories with sincerity and compassion.” He added that it is all about “human connections and collegiality.”

Student Tommy Simmons found the biggest challenge to be in front of a live audience.

“The most challenging part of the experience was the room being as full as it was. I loved it, but at the same time it was a little hard because I know almost everyone on campus—faculty, staff, and students—but not everyone knows my story,” he said.

His favorite part of the experience was not only sharing his story but learning the stories of the other participants. “I think everyone brought something fantastic to the conversation, and I hope this podcast is something that will start the conversation on neurodiversity,” Simmons said.

Alyssa Hovey said, “We were going into the podcast not knowing the questions. When I was first asked a question, I had to think of an answer on the spot, but over time I was able to come up with answers more easily. Julio told us to think of the podcast as a friendly conversation at the dinner table and to look at him and the other students on the panel [and not the audience] the whole time. If he didn’t say that I would be more nervous than I was. This was a great opportunity to work on my public speaking skills, and I am grateful that I could participate.”

Will Dreier spoke openly about his autism.

“The most challenging part of the experience, at first, was knowing how to prepare for the podcast,” Dreier said. “But it was fun getting to express my ideas, discuss autism representation in media, and, of course, giving my most iconic speech about autism being my superpower. Before the podcast, Julio talked to us about seeing yourself in the media and putting yourself out there. This gave me enough confidence and knowledge of what I truly wanted to say. And I loved hearing about how moved everyone was by my speech!”

Varela said a highlight of his experience at Mitchell College was talking with and learning more about members of the Mitchell College community, “especially the student guests, who were all fabulous.”

Hear the podcast: https://www.latinorebels.com/2023/09/30/neuroinclusivitybelongingradicalhospitality/

Mitchell College students participate in a podcast
Mitchell College students participate in a podcast
Mitchell College students participate in a podcast

Mitchell Alumni Score Overseas

Jul 25, 2023 | Stories

Completion of a college degree sometimes means a special trip for the graduate to see the world before starting a new job or graduate school. These Mitchell College alumni, who played basketball and baseball for the Mariners, took it a step further and moved overseas to continue to play the sports they loved while soaking in the new cultures around them.

Each credited the excellent education and experience they gained at Mitchell for giving them the ability and foundation to adapt to new environments and pursue their goals beyond playing their sport—from earning an advanced degree to getting a professional job in their area of study.

Parris Hill Jr. ’16

After earning a bachelor’s degree in communication, Parris Hill Jr. ’16, played basketball for Nuovo Cestistica Barletta Basketball in Barletta, Italy.

He said, “Besides the hard grind of basketball practices at Mitch, the communication program helped get me ready for Italy. It really got me out of my shell and more open to things. No one spoke English in my city in Italy, and there were a lot of required duties that I had to fulfill with my team representing the basketball organization. I had to be open to finding ways to interact with my teammates, fans and in my daily travels.”

Currently an environmental consultant specialist for a bio company in Northern California, Hill said his favorite memory of Mitchell is “winning the NECC Championship in 2014. It was the first championship for the program. What a wild day of emotions before and after the game! All worth it. History.”

Parris Hill Jr.

Colizel Lewis ’18

After earning his bachelor’s degree in health sciences, Colizel Lewis ’18 headed to the United Kingdom, where he played basketball for the Newcastle Knights, part of the British Universities & Colleges Sport league and the National Basketball League, Division 2. But that’s not all he did. While he was there he also earned a master’s degree in regenerative medicine and stem cells from Newcastle University.

Today he works as a researcher at a biotech startup company in South San Francisco, focusing on finding treatment for Parkinson’s disease. He said he looks forward to continuing to grow as a scientist and a professional.

“Mitchell prepared me to live internationally because of the diverse student population that we had. I met so many people during my time at Mitchell with different backgrounds and from various states. Mitchell also prepared me academically to be successful in graduate school in the United Kingdom, and I credit that to the wonderful professors and advisors that I had!” he said.

Colizel Lewis

Markus Melendez ’19

Markus Melendez ’19, an assistant property manager for 33Realty, a Poplar Company, in Chicago, spent three summers living and playing professional baseball in several European countries, including France, Germany, Czech Republic and Sweden.

Melendez felt prepared to go out into the world after earning his bachelor’s in communication and said, “Mitchell’s diverse student body and faculty were a major contributor to my ability to acclimate to the many different cultures I was fortunate enough to immerse myself in. That, coupled with Mitchell’s ability-based learning model, provided me with the confidence to take a chance and go overseas.”

He stresses the importance of ability-based learning not only for giving confidence to immerse himself in new cultures across Europe but also for transitioning back into a job outside of athletics.

“The emphasis on ability-based learning is one of the things I am most grateful to Mitchell for. I firmly believe that in today’s work environment and society, the ability to adapt is paramount. Learning the skills to do so are what afforded me not only the ability to live out my dream as a professional baseball player while living overseas, but now the ability to transfer into the ‘corporate world’ of property management.”

Soaring to New Heights for a World of Good

Jul 10, 2023 | Stories

A piece of advice that Pauline Batista ’14 would give to Mitchell College students and graduates is, “Take advantage of the fact that the college is so small. Mitchell is very unique with an extremely nurturing environment. It gives you the confidence you need to go on with your career. Don’t be afraid. Just go out there and dream as big as you’d like because the sky’s the limit.”

Currently a journalist and producer for the UN News division of the United Nations in New York City, Batista is thankful for the strong foundation she built at Mitchell as she pursues her own big dreams.

“The generosity of the faculty and the small setting of the college made a huge difference for me as someone who had recently moved from Brazil. I am very grateful for a generous scholarship that I received, and when I think about Mitchell it’s fond memories and beautiful things.” Batista said.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in communication with a concentration in media production and performance and said that she uses skills and knowledge learned from her coursework and extracurricular activities—like drama—regularly in her job today.

“Classes in persuasion, theater production, filmmaking and video production prepared me well for what I am doing today, especially for knowing how to handle getting that critique when you’re out in the field producing and delivering content. It’s really cool that what I learned in the classroom is what I am doing now in my job,” she said.

After graduating from Mitchell, Batista earned a master’s degree in international studies from the University of Connecticut and continues there in a doctoral program in educational policy, a move which led her to her current job with the UN.

“Mitchell, as a school that wasn’t so overwhelming, helped build the foundation that I needed to go on to UConn, which was a super-overwhelming university experience. Now I’m at the UN, with 35,000 employees. It’s huge, and Mitchell was excellent for helping me build my foundation.”

Batista said that it’s rewarding to use the combination of her degrees in the work she is pursuing. Prior to her full-time job at the UN, she did work with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), “an organization that was the blueprint for international relations in the world.” She also said she used filmmaking as “a research method to get the attention of policy makers in Latin American countries.”

Today, she said, “typically the stories that I have to cover have to do with human rights or the intersection of human rights and entertainment. They are stories about what the UN does and about folks who work with the UN as ambassadors. My job is super hectic and super rewarding!”

[Editor’s note: Batista’s interview with Mitchell College Communications was conducted as she waited at the Tribeca Film Festival, hoping to ask questions of celebrity UN supporters. See her UN News tweet to watch her in action!]

Prepared to Pursue Dreams

May 5, 2023 | Stories

As Hana Rihani looks to the fall semester as a first-year student at Mitchell College, she reflects on how her year as a student in the Thames at Mitchell College program has prepared her.

“I heard about Thames when I was creating a list of colleges to consider at the beginning of my senior year of high school. After looking at the Thames website and meeting with the admissions staff, I thought it would be a great place where I would be supported and successful,” Hana said.

Hana came into the Thames program with a couple of challenges to overcome. In addition to figuring out what to bring (“I didn’t know what to pack for it being my first time in college!”), Hana said that she is usually shy when meeting new people. Her social-emotional learning class helped by teaching her how to be social and be a good friend.

“I have learned important skills that can help me be a better person in the world. After the first week of school, I started getting to know people and making them my friends. I didn’t expect to know everybody in my residence hall in such a short time,” she said.

Paint-and-Sip nights, bingo, bowling trips and a ping-pong tournament are some of the activities that kept Hana busy and socializing.

“The ping-pong tournament was a highlight because I had a fun time playing and watching the teachers’ faces when people won or lost,” she said.

Another highlight was a Halloween community service event with her classmates and social-emotional learning teachers.

“It was a fun event because I hung out with my amazing professors and classmates while handing out candy!”

Hana said that she has been challenged by her coursework, but her instructors have worked closely with her to provide direction and feedback. She said that she has grown in independence and confidence while developing skills for life as a college student and as a job-seeker after college.

“Being on a college campus as a Thames student really helped me prepare for college life. I like to be active and do interesting things. Taking college classes, eating in the dining hall and going to school events really benefited me.

I want do something with marine biology or communication and performing arts. I love being around animals, and I also love being on stage and expressing myself, so I will be joining the chorus and auditioning for the play and the musical next year.”

Now that Hana is prepared to take on the first year of college, she can look forward to setting out to accomplish her dreams.