Orientation

Orientation Leaders

Name: AJ Alves

Major: Social Work

Hometown: Bethel, CT

Resident or Commuter: Commuter

Advice: Get involved on campus whether it’s joining a club or just sitting in Berk (our popular relaxing spot on campus).

 

 

 


Name: Betsy Antedemenico

Major: Creative & Professional Writing

Hometown: Danbury, CT

Resident or Commuter: Commuter

Advice: Be active about joining clubs! Clubs related to your major can be great for networking and building friendships as well as connecting with others in your major who can give you advice. Feel free to join clubs outside of your major as well to connect with others who have similar interests.

 

 


Will Brock

Name: Will Brock

Major: Communications

Hometown: Newtown, CT

Resident or Commuter: Resident

Advice: College is a different lifestyle, and sometimes it can get stressful or busy, but never forget to put yourself first once in a while.   

 

 

 


Dylan CaldwellName: Dylan Caldwell

Major: Social Work

Hometown: New Milford, CT

Resident or Commuter: Resident

Advice: It’s easy to feel like everyone has everything figured out, but everyone’s path is different. College is a personal journey so take it at your own pace. 

 

 

 


Ariel CottonName: Ariel Cotton

Major: Theatre Arts

Hometown: East Haven, CT

Resident or Commuter: Resident

Advice: My advice would be it’s not a crime to be shy but don’t let it limit you. Get yourself out there even if it’s only a little bit.   

 

 

 


Kyra CumminsName: Kyra Cummins

Major: Communications 

Hometown: Brookfield, CT

Resident or Commuter: Resident

Advice: My advice to incoming students would be to get involved on campus, even the commuters! Join a club or just hang out somewhere on campus and make friends! If you can’t join a club, go to the events hosted by all the wonderful organizers WCSU offers.    

 

 

 


Bazan DevallonName: Bazan Devallon

Major: Social Work

Hometown: Norwalk, CT

Resident or Commuter: Resident

Advice:

 

 

 


Vanesa DominguezName: Vanesa Dominguez

Major: Media Arts

Hometown: Danbury, CT

Resident or Commuter: Resident

Advice: Getting involved on campus is a great way to connect with others and make the most of your experience. Join clubs and attend events but remember to prioritize your needs and maintain a healthy balance – it’s okay to take a step back! 

 

 


Pablojesus Dominguez SolisName:  Pablojesus Dominguez Solis

Major: Music Education

Hometown: Wallingford, CT

Resident or Commuter: Resident

Advice: My advice to any incoming freshman is to remember that having a few close friends who care, is better than many that pretend.  

 

 

 


Justin FarinangoName: Justin Farinango

Major: Elementary Education

Hometown: Bethel, CT

Resident or Commuter: Commuter

Advice: You are what you make of your college experience! The ball is now in your court to go put yourself out there and make an impact at the university. If you’ve always wanted to play sports, join intramural sports. If you are interested in serving the university, join one of our 80+ clubs on campus. If you want to have a good time and meet new people, go to our various campus events such as sports games, musicals, bingos, and more! Put yourself out there, and you’ll find your place. Say hi to everyone you meet. You never know what a simple hi can lead to.  We are a community here at WCSU! 

 


Sorreea GagnebinName: Sorreea Gagnebin

Major: Management

Hometown: Danbury, CT

Resident or Commuter: Commuter

Advice: Try to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. This is your time to discover the things you are good at and passionate about! 

 

 

 


Colby GegneyName: Colby Gegney

Major: Exploratory Studies

Hometown: Barrington, NH

Resident or Commuter: Resident

Advice: Go out and be open-minded to new things. Be willing to learn and take some healthy risks to see what’s out there and what healthy fun memories you can create.

 

 

 


Owen IbeyName: Owen Ibey

Major: Political Science  

Hometown: Colchester, CT

Resident or Commuter: Resident

Advice: Get to know people. Be open to new experiences and take advantage of all the amazing clubs and organizations the school offers. The more people you know, the more connections and opportunities you will have.   

 

 


Kathrin LippolisName: Kathrin Lippolis

Major: Secondary Education: English

Hometown: Hartsdale, NY

Resident or Commuter: Resident

Advice: College is your opportunity to start fresh and be whoever you want to be! Everyone else is just as nervous as you are, so don’t be afraid to come out of your shell.

 

 

 


Ainsley MackenzieName: Ainsley Mackenzie

Major: Management Information Systems

Hometown:  New Fairfield, CT

Resident or Commuter: Commuter

Advice: Take advantage of all of the resources you have at your disposal. Our university offers a variety of help for the different challenges that you are going to face throughout your college career. Use the people and offices that are available to you.

 

 

 

 


Madison McDougallName: Madison McDougall

Major: Theatre Arts

Hometown: Newtown, CT

Resident or Commuter: Resident

Advice: Get involved, stay organized, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Join clubs, make new friends and enjoy every moment. Balancing your time between studies and fun is key. You’ve got this!   

 

 

 


Sophia OchsName: Sophia Ochs

Major: Nursing

Hometown: Bethel, CT

Resident or Commuter: Commuter 

Advice: Some advice that I have for incoming students is to branch out and try new things! College is such a great experience, and it is a wonderful way to make friends and make new connections! Another piece of advice I want to give is to make sure to have good time management to stay on top of your assignments and put time aside to study for upcoming quizzes and exams! 

 

 


Josiah PizarroName: Josiah Pizarro

Major: Accounting

Hometown: Waterbury, CT

Resident or Commuter: Resident

Advice: As an orientation leader, one piece of advice I’d offer to incoming freshmen is to focus on time management. There will be a ton of events and activities happening and while it’s tempting to join them all, it’s important to balance your time wisely. Events like PAC Bingo, the Clubs Carnival and West Fest are all great opportunities, but managing your schedule will help you make the most of your experience without feeling overwhelmed.  

 

 


Gianna Ruby-DasilvaName: Gianna Ruby-Dasilva

Major: Justice and Law Administration

Hometown: Woodbury, CT

Resident or Commuter: Resident

Advice: The best thing you can do is get involved on campus! Whether it’s a job or club it enriches your portfolio, social life, and experience. Don’t wait to start doing things outside of academics; the faster you get involved the more you can get out of your college years.  

 

 


Cienna SchlemmerName:  Cienna Schlemmer

Major: Elementary Education

Hometown: New Milford, CT

Resident or Commuter: Commuter

Advice: My advice to new students is to take advantage of all the help offered to you, and don’t be scared to express your needs! Most importantly, don’t be afraid to reach out to new people and make new friends. Finding people who you can hang out with on and off campus, attend events with and even study with will be an amazing advantage during your first year here.  

 

 


Mackenzie ShookName: Mackenzie Shook

Major: Nursing 

Hometown: New Milford, CT

Resident or Commuter: Resident

Advice: I advise incoming students to be comfortable going out of their comfort zone. Every incoming student is going through the same thing, so don’t be afraid to try new things and meet new people! Go to the events hosted by PAC and Recreation. Their events are really fun and have a range of activities, from Bingo to basketball. Not only are they fun, but they are also a great way to meet people with similar interests!   

 

 


Ycelsa Soriano PaulinoName: Ycelsa Soriano Paulino

Major: Communications 

Hometown: Danbury, CT

Resident or Commuter: Commuter

Advice: Prioritize your mental health, get in the habit of letting your professors know how it is going. They will help you! 

 

 

 


Gaby TorresName: Gaby Torres

Major: Social Work

Hometown: Jersey City, NJ

Resident or Commuter: Resident

Advice: Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone! College is the perfect time to explore new interests, meet different people, and grow both personally and academically. Get involved on campus, ask questions, and take advantage of the resources available to you. Also, trust me, invest in a good umbrella! 

 

 


Nick VarbaroName: Nick Varbaro

Major: Marketing 

Hometown: Mahopac, NY

Resident or Commuter: Commuter

Advice: Surround yourself with people who are positive and bring you up.  

 

 

 

 


Charlie Wimer

Name: Charlie Wimer

Major: History 

Hometown: Danbury, CT

Resident or Commuter: Commuter 

Advice: One piece of advice I have for incoming students is to prioritize your time, it can get easy to let things slip once you get to college.  

 

 

 


Sadie WinsleyName: Sadie Winsley

Major: Elementary Education

Hometown: New Milford, CT

Resident or Commuter: Resident

Advice: Go out of your way to try things outside of your comfort zone, make as many connections as you can, and master time management.

 

 

 


 

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