Orientation Leaders
Name: AJ Alves
Major: Social Work
Hometown: Bethel, CT
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
Advice: Don’t be afraid to get involved. It’s better to regret something you did, rather than something you didn’t do.
Name: Leah Andreasen
Major: DIMA Art
Hometown: New Milford, CT
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
Advice: Make as many connections and get involved with as much as you can! It’s a great way to feel more connected and it makes the experience of being at WestConn so special and enjoyable.
Name: Zaina Atique
Major: Biology
Hometown: Brookfield, CT
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
Advice: Try new opportunities and to put yourself out there! It’s the best way to connect with others and make the most of your college experience. I chose WestConn because of its close community, and I realized there are so many gateways into different aspects of student life.
Name: Aiden Bourget
Major: BFA Acting
Hometown: Thompson, CT
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: Take full advantage of the opportunities orientation offers; meet people, make connections, step outside of your comfort zone. This is your time to make friends and form bonds that will undoubtedly help you work through your transitions into college life.
Name: Dylan Caldwell
Major: Social Work
Hometown: New Milford, CT
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: Take advantage of being a student. You get access to so many resources and discounts that make life easier!
Name: Kimberly Davis
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Watertown, CT
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: Start and plan early! Once you get your syllabus, put all your assignments and their due dates on a spreadsheet. Plan time out of your week to sit in the library and study or do your assignments. Staying consistent, even when you “have nothing to do” is extremely important. Lastly, don’t do assignments in your room. your room is for relaxing, fun, and sleep. No school or work vibes while in your dorm!
Name: Angel D’costa
Major: Music
Hometown: Ansonia, CT
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: Sometimes it may feel like everyone is ahead of you, that’s not true. Everyone is figuring it out just like you are, always remember you’re awesome and hardworking. Everyone goes through their own thing. Be proud of yourself for even the small accomplishments.
Name: Jesine De La Cruz
Major: Media Arts: Media Production
Hometown: New York, NY
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: Come to college with a fresh start. It’s always easy to default to your younger/past self, but now is the time to construct the type of person/adult you want to be. Try new things that you never tried before, make friends with all kinds of people, step out of your comfort zone! This is the best time to experiment and learn more about yourself.
Name: Bazan Devallon
Major: Social Work
Hometown: Norwalk, CT
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: Make sure to always advocate for yourself as you never know what opportunities you may miss out on.
Name: Vanesa Dominguez
Major: Media Arts
Hometown: Danbury, CT
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: College is the perfect time to step outside your comfort zone, so say yes to new experiences! Join clubs, try different classes, meet people you wouldn’t normally talk to. At the same time, don’t forget to protect your own energy. It’s okay to take breaks, have quiet nights in, and figure out what recharges you. Finding that balance early helps you stay grounded, avoid burnout, and actually enjoy everything you’re exploring.
Name: Nicholas Falcone
Major: DIMA Media Production
Hometown: Carmel, NY
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
Advice: Attend as many events as possible.
Name: Justin Farinango
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Bethel, CT
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
Advice: Explore everything there is to offer. WestConn has so many fantastic opportunities for you to make connections, explore new passions and grow as a student. Be sure to introduce yourself to as many people as possible. Those first “hellos” can turn into lifelong friendships.
Name: Juliana Feliciano
Major: Social Work
Hometown: Stratford, CT
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: Be open to all kinds of clubs and events that you may not think you’ll like at first. In college you will learn a lot about yourself and it’s okay to accept change and trying new things!
Name: Imani Forest
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Queens, NY
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: Never be afraid to ask for help and to put yourself out there.
Name: Adam Gallagher
Major: DIMA
Hometown: Montville, CT
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: Enjoy the warm weather in the spring and don’t hang out alone in your dorm.
Name: Alamin Islam
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Newtown, CT
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
Advice: Use the resources the school provides, such as tutors. You don’t want to have to retake a class; it gets expensive.
Name: Alicia Keller
Major: Marketing (Digital)
Hometown: Waterbury, CT
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: Get out of your dorm room? Don’t complain about how boring campus is if you don’t even go outside. Friends or no friends go outside and experience the many events WestConn has to offer!
Name: Samaya Lassic
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Newburgh, NY
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: College is a new experience and it’s very normal to feel a lot of emotions leading up to move-in. The beginning may be a big adjustment, but you will get the hang of it! WestConn offers so much for students, you just must take initiative and have fun!
Name: Kathrin Lippolis
Major: Secondary Education: English
Hometown: White Plains, NY
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: Surround yourself with people who like your personality.
Name: Jenessa Melendez
Major: BA Art
Hometown: Beacon, NY
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: Keep in mind that college is a new start and that no one knows you. Your life starts now; you control how you are perceived and who you become from here on!
Name: Sophia Ochs
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Bethel, CT
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
Advice: Stay on top of your work when it is first given, this will help you stay ahead, feel confident in your academics, and have time to make friends and enjoy college life!
Name: Camila Pereda
Major: Pre-Nursing
Hometown: Poughkeepsie, NY
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. This is a new experience for everyone, and the more people you get to know, the more enjoyable your college experience will be!
Name: Kaley Perez
Major: Pre-Nursing
Hometown: West Haven, CT
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: College is a roller coaster and an experience in itself, you’ll go through so many things at once, and it will be stressful but don’t let that stress dictate you, it’s a ride you want to enjoy but something that comes with challenges, so just keep moving forward, don’t let anything stop you, and take it seriously.
Name: Eilynn Pierre
Major: Biology
Hometown: Queens, NY
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: Get out of your comfort zone and join clubs or organizations! You never know who you’ll meet or what opportunities can come from it. It’s not only what you know, but also who you know. Networking is key in college, and the earlier you start making connections, the better!
Name: Giavanna Rivera
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: Try your best to stay on top of your work but also make time to put yourself out there and make new friends.
Name: Gianna Ruby-Dasilva
Major: Justice and Law Administration
Hometown: Woodbury, CT
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: Try as many things as possible? The more you put yourself out there, the more opportunities that will follow. You’ll find new friends, new clubs, maybe even new career opportunities! Trust that you know what you’re doing, and the rest will follow.
Name: Cienna Schlemmer
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: New Milford, CT
Resident or Commuter: Commuter
Advice: Find your people. Surround yourself with positive influences who make you a better person, who celebrate your wins and support you through your losses. No matter what, those people will be your keystone. Your college experience is what you make of it, and a great start is to have a support system for the journey ahead. In the end, no matter what path you end up on, you will do great things!
Name: Madison Schilling
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Naugatuck, CT
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: It is okay to not keep the same friend group as in high school; everybody is growing up, and it is okay to grow apart as well.
Name: Mackenzie Shook
Major: Nursing
Hometown: New Milford, CT
Resident or Commuter: Resident
Advice: Try new things and step out of your comfort zone. You never know who you can meet and what new things you can learn. WestConn has a lot of things to offer, and there are events happening all the time, allowing you many opportunities to get involved and enjoy your time here.