Orientation Leaders
Meet the 2020 Orientation Leaders!
Jade Broadnax
Hometown: Bridgeport, CT
Major: Professional Writing (Journalism)
Campus Involvement: Black Student Union
School Year: Freshman
#ichoseWCSU because it was where I felt the most comfortable
Words of Wisdom: Don’t be afraid to break out of your shell and remember to always ask questions about everything!
Micayla Flynn
Hometown: New Milford, CT
Major: Health Promotion and Exercise
Campus Involvement: I am a part of the cheerleading team and I work in the AccessAbility Services Office.
School Year: Junior
#ichoseWCSU because when I visited the first time, all of the students had nothing but good things to say about WCSU. I also really liked how campus felt and what the HPX progam had to offer!
Words of Wisdom: Always be willing to try new things and meet new people because you never know what opportunities that can bring you.
Faythe Thibodeau
Hometown: West Haven, CT
Major: Undecided
Campus Involvement: Cheerleading and Alpha Delta Pi Sorority
School Year: Sophomore
#ichoseWCSU because it was still far enough from home to have my own college experience but close enough so that my parents could still come visit me!
Words of Wisdom: Don’t be afraid to branch out and experience new things, college is what you make of it so be involved!
Casandra Frenette
Hometown: Prospect, CT
Major: Nursing
Campus Involvement: Member of Nurses Association and COA at CSI
School Year: Junior
#ichoseWCSU: because WCSU has a good Nursing program and I wanted to stay local. I liked that the hospital is so close and it’s a great place for clinical and even job opportunities.
Words of Wisdom: Time management is very important. It’s possible to have good grades and GPA all while enjoying your time on campus and getting involved. Starting with your first year develop a schedule and stay organized so your work gets done and you can still enjoy time with friends.
Aaron Liner
Hometown: New Fairfield, CT
Major: Nursing
Campus Involvement: Orientation Leader and RA
School Year: Sophomore
#ichoseWCSU because here I have an outstanding level of opportunity to succeed!
Words of Wisdom: Dare to be great!
Jala Cooke
Hometown: Canaan, CT
Major: Psychology
Campus Involvement: Program Activities Council
School Year: Junior
#ichoseWCSU I honestly ended up choosing WCSU as a split second decision because it was close to home but I have absolutely no regrets about my decision. WCSU is my home.
Words of Wisdom: Take every opportunity that presents itself to you and just try it out! Sign up for all of the clubs that interest you and just try out new things! You never know who you may meet or what new things you may fall in love with!
Jake Toth
Hometown: East Fishkill, NY
Major: Business Administration in Finance
School Year: Sophomore
#ichoseWCSU because it has smaller class sizes so you can have a relationship with your professor which helps tremendously, but it also has the same campus events and student lifestyle that a bigger college usually has.
Words of Wisdom: Join an on campus organization and run with it. Being involved with an organization opens plenty of doors for you and it also helps you meet people.
Adam Quattro
Hometown: Brookfield, CT
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies of Biology and Wellness Management
Campus Involvement: Westconn Men’s Cross Country, Rec Lifeguard Supervisor, Brother of ZBT, Western Adventure Club Student Advisor
School Year: Senior
#ichoseWCSU because of the reasonable tuition rate paired with the subject that I wanted to study (Health Promotion and Wellness Management). Due to the reasonable tuition rate I will be graduating college without student debt giving me the financial freedom to go and educate corporate employees about living healthy and developing wellness awareness.
Words of Wisdom: Don’t be afraid to get involved on campus and when you need help don’t be afraid to ask for it. WCSU is here to help you learn in and outside of the classroom. But most importantly have fun and enjoy the college experience.
Alyssa Donahue
Hometown: Meriden, CT
Major: Nursing
Campus Involvement: Cheerleading, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority
School Year: Sophomore
#ichoseWCSU because of how great the nursing program is, and how I can still be close to home!
Words of Wisdom: Don’t be afraid to get involved! The school has so many opportunities between sports and clubs and you won’t regret joining any of them.
Kaylee Serra
Hometown: Shelton, CT
Major: Communications
Campus Involvement: Sigma Delta Tau Sorority, Student Ambassador for the Admissions Office, former Resident Assistant for Pinney Hall
School Year: Senior
#ichoseWCSU because of its affordability and the opportunities it provided
Words of Wisdom: Get involved! College is what you make of it, so make it great! Get out of your comfort zone sometimes and know that it is always okay to ask for help!
Seth Quattro
Hometown: Brookfield, CT
Major: Nursing
Campus Involvement: PAC, WAC, REC
School Year: Sophomore
#ichoseWCSU because WCSU was affordable and had a great program I wanted to study in
Words of Wisdom: Get involved as much as possible because it is a great way to meet people and it will make your time at WCSU more memorable. In addition, make sure to keep up on your schoolwork because you can fall behind very quickly and it is very hard to catch back up.
Gina Poulin
Hometown: Prospect, CT
Major: Secondary Education, EnglishCampus Involvement: Cross Country, Writing Center Consultant, Student Government Association Vice President of Student Relations, Pinney Hall Peer Academic Support System Mentor, Education Club, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
School Year: Senior
#ichoseWCSU because it reminded me a lot of my small, private high school. With smaller classes it is easier to get to know your professors and vice versa. There is a sense of familiarity and friendliness on campus because of a camaraderie, which really makes WCSU feel like a true second home. I also love all of the opportunities WCSU has to offer; I feel like a big fish in a small pond rather than a small fish in a big ocean.
Words of Wisdom: Take classes that you are interested in especially if your major is undecided. Get involved as soon as possible, but prioritize and balance your responsibilities and personal life. Most importantly, make the most of your college experience, this is your home for the next four years and it goes by SO fast!
Lycia Lopez-Torres
Hometown: New Milford, CT
Major: Psychology
Campus Involvement: President of WCSU Panhellenic Council, Gameshows and Competitions Chair of PAC, Kathwari Honors Student
School Year: Senior
#ichoseWCSU because I wanted to be close to home but far away enough to have that college life. I found that coming to WCSU and I found myself growing as a person here in so many different ways that I didn’t think of!
Words of Wisdom: Put yourself out there!! Do things you never thought you would do! Make new friends, join a club you never heard of, go to events, take classes you’ve never heard of but most importantly find yourself!!
Ryan Charles Henry
Hometown: Cortlandt Manor, NY
Major: Theater Performance
Campus Involvement: Has been in a ton of WCSU shows
School Year: Junior
#ichoseWCSU because of the friendly atmosphere that made it feel like home and of course the in-state tuition!
Words of Wisdom: Get involved and don’t be afraid to give 110% dedication to what you love to do! It’s a very scary and exciting time. Everyone is looking for friends and you are NEVER alone! .
Marisa Gueli
Hometown: New Milford, CT
Major: Communication Studies
Campus Involvement: President of the Program Activities Council, President of Sigma Delta Tau, VP of Recruitment and Marketing for the WCSU Panhellenic Conference, Student Ambassador, and Orientation Leader!!
School Year: Senior
#ichoseWCSU because it was hard for me to want to go away and get the full college experience. WCSU made it possible for me to still enjoy my home life as well as getting as involved as I want to.
Words of Wisdom: Get out of your comfort zone and try new things. 3 years ago I would not image the shy freshman I was would get involved like I did and I have no regrets. This is the time to find yourself, make life long friendships and start the path that leads you to the rest of your life. It’s intimidating at first but you will soon realize how much it is worth it.
Nicole McIntosh
Hometown: Danbury, CT
Major: Accounting
Campus Involvement: Delta Gamma Phi, Resident Assistant, Cross Country, and Student Advisory Athletic Council
School Year: Junior
#ichoseWCSU because of the great sense of community in being a colonial, how close it is to home, and the Ancell School of Business is one of the best in the state.
Words of Wisdom: Be true to yourself, look for friends that share your value. Take risks, always challenge yourself and make sure to get involved. College is what you make of it!
Brielle Skrutskie
Hometown: Chester, NY
Major: Secondary Education – Chemistry
Campus Involvement: Peer Tutor at Tutoring Center, Honors TA
School Year: Junior
#ichoseWCSU because it is my second home. I love the sense of community that I feel when I’m on campus which always makes me feel so welcome. Since WCSU is a small school I have been able to form professional relationships with my professors and advisors, so I never feel like just a number, and I always feel supported and encouraged by the people around me.
Words of Wisdom: Take advantage of every opportunity WCSU has to offer, many experiences are priceless!
Tiana Ortiz
Hometown: Stratford, CT
Major: Justice and Law Administration with a Legal Studies Concentration
Campus Involvement: Student Government Association, Appellate Advocate Society, Sigma Delta Tau Sorority
School Year: Senior
#ichoseWCSU because of the amazing academic programs and the plethora of class choices for each major and minor. The campus is also what captivated me; it’s small and sweet but beautiful and cozy.
Words of Wisdom: Get involved as soon as possible. It’s a great way to make friends and make the most out of your college experience! There are so many clubs and programs here; there is surely something for you!
Victoria (Tori) Tralli
Hometown: Danbury, CT
Major: Health Promotion & Exercise: Wellness Management
Campus Involvement: Cheerleader, Orientation Leader (4 years), HPX Club, President of the Commuter Student Organization
School Year: Graduated
#ichoseWCSU I chose WCSU because as soon as I stepped on campus for a visit I immediately knew I would love to be a part of this family. Not only the family environment, this school has a ton of opportunities and amazing experiences.
Words of Wisdom: GET INVOLVED! Being involved in this school has completely changed my life. I came from a nearby town where a lot of my graduating class came with me to WCSU. I made a new life for myself and have had the best 4 years of my life. Being on the cheerleading team has allowed me to have friends, participate and volunteer in so many events, be an Orientation Leader, and join different clubs and organizations. I have made so many connections and memories at this school and because of my involvement was awarded the Outstanding Student Leadership Award. Take advantage of everything you have at WCSU, if you do it will be the best 4 years of your life!
Sophie Ritchie
Hometown: Danbury, CT
Major: Theater Performance
Campus Involvement: Greek Life Sorority
School Year: Junior
#ichoseWCSU because it was close to home.
Words of Wisdom: Get involved as much as possible. There are so many clubs and organizations around campus to join.
Gabrielle Hamel
Hometown: Wolcott, CT
Major: English
Campus Involvement: Peer Mentors, Kathwari Honors Program
School Year: Junior
#ichoseWCSU because WCSU has such a diverse, unique learning experience that allows me to be a fully rounded student upon graduation!
Words of Wisdom: Your freshman year is completely YOURS! Join clubs, participate in classes, and find friends that make you happy because ultimately you are the one who is going to live with those experiences!
Zoë Drew
Hometown: Norwich, CT
Major: Nursing Resident
Campus Involvement: Delta Gamma Phi sorority, IT&I Computer Center Assistant, Student Government Association
School Year: Senior
#ichoseWCSU as one of my last options. I looked around at schools in the south but when it came down to finances, Westconn was the best option to leave school with the least debt possible while still having the college experience I wanted. I knew within the first week of being here that this is where I was meant to be and I am so glad I chose WCSU!
Words of Wisdom: If something challenges your comfort zone: do it. College is all about challenging what you know and trying new things. Talk to that new person, join that club, and try that class. You never know where it will lead
Aquilino (Aqui) Rodriguez
Hometown: New Milford, CT
Major: Marketing
Campus Involvement: Co-Lead Student Assistant for Office of Intercultural Affairs, PAC Travel & Novelty Affairs, Student Co-Chair for University Senate – Student Life Committee
School Year: Junior
#ichoseWCSU because WCSU was one of the closest universities to home but ended up being a campus filled with leadership opportunities and input into what happens throughout its campus.
Words of Wisdom: Campus/Organization involvement is essential to your college career. There are tons of organizations that reach different student audiences. Find one that relates to you and join like minded people to create relationships and bonds for the future. College is about getting through it together! So find your inner circle and stay true to them. You got this!