What these students, faculty and alumni have in common is success

First-generation WestConn student Elisa Cardona has a lot to celebrate this holiday season“Take advantage of all the opportunities at WestConn like the HSLP. It can be scary or nerve wracking to put yourself out there, but taking the leap of faith and taking a chance can help students gain more opportunities such as this one. There are so many staff members and peers that are supportive and willing to be the helping hand.”
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You can’t argue with the success of WestConn’s first all-female Moot Court team to qualify for the American Moot Court Association’s National Championship Tournament“WestConn’s 'superpower' is its culture. The students we have, the time and emotional commitment that they put into this, makes it an honor to spend time with them, and it’s not surprising that this was WestConn Moot Court’s most successful year.”

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Never one to sit still, Dr. Theodora Pinou has been globe-trotting with the goal to document biodiversity and instill a love of STEM in students“STEM education is the priority. Because of my work, I’m considered an expert in applying natural history collections in the classroom. This ties in with my National Science Foundation grant and sea turtle research. I plan to continue to look at interspecies relationships with the help of grants and funding that the university has obtained to support my work.”
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A collaboration between Poli Sci Professor Dr. H. Howell Williams and student Chris Powers allows classmates to see ’90s politics from both perspectives“I think my classmates appreciate what we’re both bringing to the class, and how we present it to them. I feel that political science is like a puzzle and I’ve been able to piece the puzzle together; and now I’m trying to help my fellow students understand how to do it, too, in order to comprehend what’s happening right now. It’s amazing as an undergraduate to have an opportunity to work so closely with a university professor like this. Not only has it been really fun and rewarding, but I’m not sure I would have had this kind of opportunity anywhere else.”
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Criminologist Casey Jordan’s new true crime podcast launches“… the difference between ‘Criminal Appeal’ and other true-crime podcasts is that Dr. Jordan features cases that she knows firsthand because she worked them in real-time. The show confronts tough questions about the justice system, media influence, and the gray areas of morality that surround every accused offender and determine every verdict.”
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Alumna Natasha Valani leveraged her knowledge of marketing and curiosity about career options to become the Chief People Officer at Tubi“Autonomy and agency were important to me. WCSU provided the flexibility to own my schedule and provided me with the tools to figure out how I could make learning work on my time. I’m not sure I would have had that level of autonomy anywhere else.”
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MIS Professor Emilio Collar’s hobby inspires a new lab space, a new course, and a growing student clubAs a result, the university’s Vintage Computer Association was created as an official student club with Collar as its adviser, and plans are underway for a physical space to be formally created for the lab. “The administration has been very responsive to the students’ requests. We are going to revitalize a former computer science lab in the Westside Classroom Building to create a permanent vintage computer lab.”
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At WCSU, Air Force Veteran Neal Macmillen has found it’s never too late to follow your dreams“I do enjoy attending class, seeing what’s changed and what’s new. Science is evolving. Now we have computer models and the art is in choosing which model to use for your forecast situation. It used to be more hands on before computers. Being on campus is a little surreal. I don’t feel 72, I feel like a young student, but my body says otherwise.”
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At WCSU, Connor Nolan perfected his ‘pitch’“Getting my degree at WestConn helped me get to where I am today. The courses offered, coupled with the business community around the school, gave me options that other universities could not, and I look back on my college experience with gratitude for giving me the tools and guidance to succeed.”
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Terry Dwyer’s career experiences come into play in the classroom and beyond“We’re here to teach both the theoretical and the practical, and students come from different backgrounds and have different interests, so when they realize professors are multi-faceted human beings, it’s easier to make a connection and for them to see that they’re not limited in their aspirations. I am always happy to give advice to my students, and the bottom line is that I care, and I want all of them to be successful.”
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Collin Testa’s study-abroad experience amps up his desire to teach English in Japan“If you do a study-abroad program, look into all available resources, scholarships, etc. Put yourself out there. Introduce yourself to everything. You never know who you will meet, what memories you will make, what opportunities may come from meeting another person. Go and live each day to the fullest.”
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Elizabeth Melita overcame her own obstacles and turned them into a way to help others“WCSU was really the only choice for me for my bachelor’s. It’s one of the top programs out there. A lot of WCSU’s Nursing professors have real-world nursing experience and provide that knowledge to the students. Everyone I encountered was amazing, and the WCSU Nursing Department is a family. I’m still friends with so many of them, which is incredibly helpful in my current job because I need resources and referral sources. WCSU gave me the opportunity to build a network.”
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Alumna Nikita Karim propelled her curiosity about technology into a stellar computing career that supports women in STEM“I encourage others to strive for greater opportunities: pursue higher education, set the example you want to see in the world, take space, and never hesitate to walk into rooms where you may be the only one who looks like you. Travel, explore new cultures, build your network, and embrace the discomfort that comes with growth. What makes you different is your strength, so lean into it and let it carry you forward.”
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Unexpected text informs WCSU Audio & Music Production alumna Rosemary Minkler of her Emmy Award win“The thing I enjoyed most about attending WCSU was all the people I met and friends I made throughout my four years. As a music major, not only is it very important to start building your network as early as you can, but it’s also just really special to meet other people who are interested in the same thing as you and genuinely want to work on their craft.”
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‘Gridiron Scholar’ John Laub has capitalized on the skills he acquired on campus to excel at both his hobby and his career“I joined the student newspaper, The Echo, for three or four years. I had the opportunity to write about the university’s sports teams and ultimately during my senior year, I became the sports editor. I also was able to broadcast basketball games as an analyst on WXCI, the campus radio station. These activities strengthened my writing ability and provided an outlet for my love of sports.”
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CMEA’s Music Educator of the Year Dan O’Brien has always had a plan, and the plan has been to improvise“I’m definitely grateful for my time at WCSU. It was a very special place to have spent my formative years while aspiring to play unique music, and it’s served me well. ... My time at WCSU allowed me to cultivate a sense of pioneerism and has enabled me to try to make the world better by encouraging creativity in music education.”

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The third time’s the charm for Stratford’s 2006 Teacher of the Year, September Baraquin“So many studies demonstrate the value of the arts to keep us healthy and well, and in my own life, opera has helped me heal from a difficult situation. You have to always reinvent yourself every so often so you can grow. I try to impress this upon my students in the same way that my WCSU professors, Dr. Astrup and Dr. Isaacs, helped shape me. WCSU is home to me, and I had so many good experiences there.”
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At several points in his 28-year career, Monroe’s Teacher of the Year Michael Ances has found smooth sailing when collaborating with WCSU“WCSU is really a big piece of my total network. You can’t throw a stone in Connecticut without hitting a WCSU music alum. I’m a huge proponent, and I definitely had really good experiences there.”
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Brian Betesh, Danbury’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, finds life has a funny way of providing “full circle” moments“It’s cool that I started my education here in Danbury and came full circle to get my second master’s degree at WCSU. It was great to be on campus and explore something right in my backyard. I hope to bring my students to check it out next.”
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Sophia Chiaia found her calling in high school and capitalized on it at WCSU“WCSU’s Biology Department is amazing. Dr. Connally is my adviser and she and the rest of the faculty are so empowering and passionate. You’re going to learn so much and be exposed to some incredible professors. In literally every class, you will learn something interesting that will stay with you. I would highly recommend it.”
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Paying it forward: Professor of Music Dr. Kevin Jay Isaacs has found a way to nurture his students that will continue long after his retirement“I taught here for a long time. I’m glad I can help give our students this foundation.”
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Victoria Muscatello’s accomplished collegiate journey was inspired by watching ‘Criminal Minds’"I’ve met great staff, professors and fellow students. Everyone here has open arms and wants to help you. The fact that many of us in the Psychology program end up at really great graduate schools also shows that we’re getting a good education at WestConn."
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By not taking ‘no’ for an answer, Donovan Shaw has learned there is more than one way to succeed — and to lead"There are huge possibilities at WestConn. Coming to campus not as a B.F.A. major like I had hoped and during the pandemic, I wasn’t sure what I was doing. But there are so many opportunities if you’re hungry enough and ask questions, because the faculty will help you find your way."
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For Sara Risko, several re-starts have shown that she’s unstoppable"The Oxford Consortium is extremely competitive for students to attend. There are a lot of interdisciplinary students, graduate students and law students there and they have a passion for advocacy and human rights. I met a lot of very cool people and it made me very hopeful. I’m grateful for the funding from the Provost’s Office that helped make this trip a reality."
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Perseverance pays off for recent Criminology graduate Megan Dingee, who’s already on her way to a master’s degree in Homeland Security

Perseverance pays off for recent Criminology graduate Megan Dingee"WestConn has been a home away from home. I spent many hours on campus and I always felt safe and welcome there. Every person I met was always kind, generous, focused and hardworking. It’s a place where people can be themselves, or discover a new self. WCSU helped me find a new version of myself, giving me hope for future me."
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