Since July, junior Tyler Daly has been soaking in opportunity from his work as a research assistant for Dr. Christine Ramsay, associate professor of life sciences. Part of a grant-funded project (by Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation) to investigate the impact of marine invasive species in local waters, Tyler’s research focuses on bryozoans, “marine fouling” organisms that have made their way to the Thames River from warmer southern waters. Marine fouling organisms attach themselves to underwater objects, such as ropes, boats and other structures, and cause damage.

Tyler, a marine biology major, is gaining practical experience and broadening his understanding of what being a scientist means. He secured the position of research assistant by following up on a request for one from Dr. Ramsay to her marine biology students in January 2021.

“I am elated to be doing this work. I love the fact that I am being exposed to exactly what research and possibly a job in this field would look like.”

His work averages about five to eight hours per week, and he splits his time between collecting specimens from around the Mitchell dock and then conducting experiments in the lab in Bingham Hall.

“The ultimate goal of this research is to determine temperature tolerances for the bryozoans to live and then predict where they might spread, based on the temperatures of the coastal areas around us. An invasive species like this outcompetes native species for space.”

When the water in the river gets too cold for the bryozoans to live on the dock, the experiments will end and the collected data and images will continue to be analyzed throughout the winter months. Dr. Ramsay and Tyler will use that information to write a paper that will be published and presented at a professional scientific conference.

Tyler said that some of the challenges that he has encountered in his work as a research assistant have prepared him well for future work.

“Data analysis was a big challenge. It’s grueling and monotonous, but it’s one of the things that I love because it’s a big part of the sciences. I have gotten used to it, and it’s very practical for me to know. Being a research assistant has also helped me communicate better with a ‘boss.’ At first I wasn’t sure how to talk with Dr. Ramsay and have a rapport, but now I am much more comfortable communicating with her and with others.”

Looking forward to a future filled with science, Tyler also recognizes being in the moment on the Mitchell dock.

“This experience is really helpful in terms of understanding what work in academic or research settings would be like. There are a lot of possibilities. I love science and figuring out how things work, the math behind the interactions of everything, the governing force in the world, and which things make what move. I also love that my job is to go to the dock and do science work on the water. I get to watch the ferry or even a submarine come in or go out as I am pulling bryozoans off a rope for an experiment that I am about to set up. That is very exciting for me!”

​

Sophomore Max Mallove recently signed a contract to be a professional player with TeamMETA Esports, playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Super Smash Bros. Melee. As a pro, he will compete in national and state level tournaments, represent Team Meta’s sponsors and partners and participate in training sessions.

In addition to that, he continues to play at the collegiate level for Mitchell Esports, coached by Chris Leonard, who said of Max’s pro status, “Max is an excellent Smash Ultimate player and even better at Smash Melee. He is a natural talent, and we are excited to have him in the TeamMETA family.”

Competing in local tournaments since 2014, Max upped his game when he played in national level tournaments, including Shine 2016 in Boston and EVO 2017 in Las Vegas. Despite this experience, he considered not joining Mitchell’s new esports team last year.

“I almost didn’t play at Mitchell because I had never played Ultimate at tournament level. Somehow, though, I ended up going undefeated, so I’m glad that I gave it a shot,” Max said.

What does Max like most about participating in esports?

“The level of competition drives you to always keep improving and upping your game, making it really satisfying when it pays off. It’s also fun to meet new people that share a common interest in esports. When I first started playing at a tournament level, I was nervous that everyone would be way better than me. Now I just enjoy the challenge. I look forward to learning from my mistakes and from other good players.”

Max offers the same advice to other players, whether novice to professional.

“Always be open to advice and tips from other players or coaches! It’s very easy to overlook small details that can play a large factor in your gameplay.”

When he is not participating in esports activities, Max studies business at Mitchell and works at his family’s store, Mallove’s Jewelers, which he plans to take over one day.

“After graduating from Mitchell, I’m going to work towards getting my degree from the Gemological Institute of America. That way I’d be certified to appraise diamonds and other precious stones.”

In the meantime, Max is enjoying splitting his time between campus and his job.

“Mitchell was an easy choice for me because I needed to stay close to my job. The small campus makes it easy for me to be able to transition between work and my classes. Mitchell is a community-oriented campus. Everyone is very friendly and supportive!”

Current Mitchell or Thames students interested in participating in esports should contact:

Chris Leonard at leonard_c@mitchell.edu OR
Jamie Romeo at romeo_j@mitchell.edu

Prospective students interested in esports, please contact:

Jamie Romeo at romeo_j@mitchell.edu

​

As far back as second grade, Sam Sabilia ’18 dreamed of being a police officer. Now he is one.

He credits Mitchell College with helping him successfully land a job with the New Britain [Conn.] Police Department, less than six months after he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

“The State of Connecticut requires you to apply to different police departments statewide. You go through interviews, a polygraph test and background checks. New Britain hired me in October of 2018, then I went through New Britain’s police academy for six months, then on to field training to become a full-time officer.”

Just a few years into his job, Sam has already earned several awards, including from MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) for making the most DUI arrests in his department in 2020 and 2021. He was also given a unit award for his role in helping to solve a case of armed robberies at convenience stores involving multiple jurisdictions and was named Officer of the Month in 2019.

Sam said that he draws on what he learned in his criminal justice classes all the time.

“I do report writing and a lot of reading and interpreting of reports and case law. I am able to do those things well because of what I learned at Mitchell. There are also many criminal justice theories that were talked about in my classes that I can apply to my job. One that I use often is the ‘broken window’ theory of crime, meaning where there are broken windows, there is more crime. I work in the busiest section of New Britain with the most crime and see this theory come to life every day.”

He added, “The best thing and worst thing about my job are the same. Seeing people for who they are and showing their true colors.”

A New London native who grew up one block from the Mitchell campus, Sam said when searching for colleges he looked at a couple of other schools with criminal justice programs but preferred the familiarity of Mitchell and its “small, beautiful campus.”

“I played Little League on the baseball fields there and knew where everything was. It was home to me.”

Sam continued his love of baseball as a student at Mitchell, playing catcher for four years and being part of three NECC championship teams. His favorite Mitchell memories are winning the baseball championships, and he attributes his success as a student to playing on the team.

“Baseball kept me out of trouble, was fun, helped me to focus and kept me in school.”

Today, he continues to play in men’s leagues, coaches an 18U team, and often returns to New London to watch Mitchell Baseball play.

“I miss the shoreline, for the record,” he said.

Still, he looks forward to working in his dream job for many years to come with aspirations of leadership.

“I hope to move up through the ranks, and Mitchell has clearly set me up for that.”

Now more than ever, Francesca Pinard ‘19 recognizes the cause-and-effect nature of environmental science, the field she studied as a student at Mitchell College and in which she earned her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude.

Today, working in her dream job as an environmental health and safety specialist at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Medical Center, Francesca deals with hospital compliance for industrial hygiene and occupational health and safety.

What does she love most about it?

“I enjoy the public health and common good aspect of environmental science. The things we do are for the benefit of other people and for the planet we coexist on. It’s all about leaving the world/workplace better than you found it.”

For Francesca, working in a healthcare setting during a global pandemic has meant figuring out solutions to protect both worker and patient. In fact, her department worked to successfully aid the Massachusetts Field Hospital, set up at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass., to conduct respiratory fit testing during the early months of COVID-19.

“When COVID-19 became a state of emergency, Massachusetts opened up its field hospital to care for those communities that are underserved and hospitals that were overfilled. We had nurses and doctors traveling from all over the country to help. My department ensured that the healthcare staff were wearing the proper protection against airborne particulates, or respiratory droplets, that can spread the virus. It’s important to have proper fit of N95 respirators to prevent contracting an illness. Most people think they can wear any respiratory they want, but facial structure, teeth structure and weight fluctuations can be the determining factor between becoming sick and being 95% protected with a HEPA filter.”

Expanding her safety knowledge with the goal of becoming a biosafety officer, Francesca is now in graduate school at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, studying for a master’s degree in biological sciences and biotechnology.

Mitchell helped her build a good foundation for her current job, in both undergraduate coursework and an internship. She often draws on information learned in biology, chemistry, microbiology, research compliance and science and public policy. In addition, she built skills during an internship in the environmental health and safety department of Harvard University.

Reflecting on how she chose Mitchell, Francesca says she had many reasons.

“I first wanted to do marine biology, and Mitchell had a beautiful beach and a well-staffed science department. I decided environmental science could be a good gateway. Through my classes each semester, my interest in environmental science grew, and I am very glad I stuck with it.”

South Dakota native Mariah Zell ’17 can thank her high school online gaming friends for helping her find Mitchell College, which she says was a good choice for her undergraduate education.

“In high school, I had a group of friends I played games with online and most were from the East Coast.  When it came time to look for a college, I thought ‘Why not try to go out there?’ I toured different schools and liked Mitchell the best – the location on the Thames River, the wonderful people, both students and faculty, who eventually helped me grow a lot as a person, and how welcoming and inclusive the school was.”

That sense of belonging ultimately helped Mariah, who was surprised by how homesick she felt, as she experienced a bit of culture shock as a new student.

“I did not expect to be so homesick, but I overcame it by getting involved in clubs and activities. I made a lot of good friends in the theater department and participated in two plays and the musical ‘Hair.’ I also was a resident assistant and worked as a student ambassador.”

In addition, studying criminal justice with a pre-law concentration, she participated in the Criminal Justice Club and also volunteered her time in the New London community and around Mitchell, including a soup kitchen, a homeless shelter and doing a campus cleanup.

Inspired to study criminal law by both her father, a South Dakota judge with whom, growing up, she often discussed certain aspects of his job and the legal system, and a mentor with a passion for the legal profession, Mariah pursued law school after leaving Mitchell. She recently graduated from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is now studying for the bar exam.

At law school, drawing on course content from some of her Mitchell classes, such as elements of crime, branches of government and constitutional law topics, Mariah also performed 400 volunteer hours through clubs focused on mental health and well-being and law-oriented community service.

She currently works at Kowitz Law, a private law firm in Lindstrom, Minnesota, where she plans to continue working after taking the bar exam. She says she will draw on the Mitchell Abilities almost every day when practicing law.

“As an attorney, I must have strong critical and creative thinking, communication, analysis, and problem solving skills when approaching legal problems and dealing with clients, opposing counsel, and judicial officers. I will be relying on the diversity/global perspectives, ethics, and social interaction abilities when working with a diverse client base from a variety of different backgrounds. While I luckily do not need to be a technological genius to adequately perform my job, I still must be proficient enough to be able to access court records and file a variety of documents to the court online.”

As a law student, Mariah also worked for the City of Minneapolis City Attorney’s office.

“The big question is which side of the law I will ultimately work on. There are things I like and drawbacks to both criminal defense and prosecution. Right now I am enjoying my time on the defense side, but we’ll see where the future will lead me.”

When Priscilla Huyhua ‘20 thinks about Mitchell College, she recognizes all it has done for her future.

Since graduating with her bachelor’s degree in both early childhood studies and human development and family studies, Priscilla completed an intensive 11-month graduate program at the Neag School of Education at UConn. She earned her master’s degree in educational psychology and special education and recently accepted a position as a special education teacher at Stamford Public Schools.

“Ultimately, Mitchell gave me real-world experience, especially options to do internships throughout the community. Mitchell is great about that. And I used a lot of the knowledge gained through these opportunities in my online graduate classes at UConn.”

After taking a special education course offered at Mitchell, Priscilla knew she wanted to pursue it as a career.

“Once I graduated from Mitchell in December, I got a job as an intervention specialist at the Regional Multicultural Magnet School (RMMS) in New London, where I last interned.”

Priscilla worked at RMMS through the spring then began her graduate program in June 2020.

When she looks back on her years at Mitchell, Priscilla understands the role the faculty, staff, her coursework and internships all had in her accomplishments.

“Mitchell is a small community. The campus is very close, and it’s easy for you to have a voice there. I was very shy starting as a freshman coming from a big high school and grew so much during my years at college.”

She became a student ambassador, leading tours of the school.

“I really enjoyed my time speaking to potential students about what Mitchell had to offer but also stressing that, as a student, you have to know how to ask for help. People are willing to assist and guide you, but you have to be willing to put in the work as well.”

Priscilla, who has a learning disability, worked with the Bentsen Learning Center (BLC) throughout her time on campus to learn how to prioritize and structure her day.

“I struggled a lot with my writing. I have a lot to say, but putting it into writing was difficult. Increasing the hours that I worked with my BLC specialist helped me. Once I could get outside of my shell, I asked for more help and got it from my professors, which led to me graduating a semester early!”

At Mitchell Priscilla also played sports for the first time.

“I was new to sports but played soccer and lacrosse at Mitchell. I was grateful to be given the chance, and I felt important. Mitchell is like that. My grades in high school weren’t the best, but Mitchell gave me a chance, and I thrived.”