West Haven, Conn., June 25, 2009-Summer break has a different meaning for some University of New Haven (UNH) students this year. Instead of soaking up the sun at the beach, ten UNH students will spend the summer as presidential fellows, bringing crucial, hands-on services to government and non-profit organizations in the greater New Haven area.
Now in its 11th year, the UNH Presidential Fellowship is a highly selective program offered to several of UNH's brightest and most-committed students. The program places fellows in vital positions and provides them with stipends and University housing for the summer. The fellowship offers an enriching experience to students, allowing them to give back to the community while gaining real-world experience.
Communications student Rochelle Ricketts '11, of Windsor, Conn., and history student Ashleigh Scott '11, of Fultonville, N.Y., will work together at Christian Community Action, Inc., an organization providing housing and support to the poor and homeless in New Haven. Ricketts and Scott will coordinate the Youth Summer Enrichment Program, a five-week recreational summer program for under-privileged children. The program enables parents to go to work without worrying about the expensive costs of daycare.
Criminal justice student Kristina Bensley '10, of Matamoras, Pa., will spend her summer at Connecticut Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro's office in New Haven writing letters to concerned citizens and accompanying staff members at events and meetings.
English and business-administration student Lauren Massicotte '10, of Wolcott, Conn., will be busy planning the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce 2009 Business Expo, an annual exhibition targeting Connecticut business professionals. She will research potential speakers and advertisers and attend seminars to help plan the November event.
English student Terese McDermott '10, of New Haven, Conn., will be lending a hand to four local farmers' markets to help provide healthier, Connecticut-grown produce during his fellowship at CitySeed, a non-profit organization located in downtown New Haven. He will also work with the Connecticut Food Bank to support Summer Suppers, a federally-funded program designed to provide free, nutritious meals for children ages 12 -15.
Criminal justice student Kathryn Onorato '11, of Old Saybrook, Conn., will spend her time researching support services and creating a database for the New Haven Regional Children's Probate Court. The database will serve as a resource for court employees, providing information about support groups, family services and clinics.
Psychology student Estephany Berroa '11, of Lawrence, Mass., will be designing curricula for preschool children at the Connecticut Children's Museum in New Haven. The curricula change weekly, with lessons incorporating gadgets, beans and Mexican folktales. Berroa's multi-layered curriculum work will help to promote literacy development among preschoolers.
Biology and pre-med student Lydia Anello '10, of Watertown, Conn., will be Common Ground High School's newest garden and market assistant this summer. Common Ground High School is located in New Haven and is Connecticut's only charter high school focused on the urban environment. It emphasizes environmental understanding and promotes environmental leadership among high school students. Anello will focus her efforts on maintaining the school's one-acre organic farm and implementing a new, on-site market stand, helping the non-profit farm become self-sustaining while providing local, organic food to the community.
Accounting student Shanika Charles '12, of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, will complete her fellowship as a chaperone for the West Haven Community House Summer Camp. The program is open to children who have completed kindergarten through fifth grade. Charles will help organize arts and crafts, games and outside activities. The summer camp provides a safe and fun atmosphere for children, allowing worry-free parents to work full days.
Fire Science student Christopher Rinck '10, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., will be helping with two major projects at the mayor's office in West Haven. The largest project involves revising West Haven's emergency operations plan. The project includes setting up evacuation routes, staging areas for supplies and planning for debris removal. Rinck's other project includes renovating West Haven's Emergency Operations Center. Both projects will help the community be better prepared in the event of an emergency.
A leader in experiential education, the University of New Haven is experiencing a historic and nationally recognized surge in enrollment. Founded in 1920, the University provides its students with a unique combination of solid liberal arts and real-world, hands-on professional training. UNH is a private university with an 80-acre main campus. The University has an enrollment of more than 5,200; approximately 1,700 graduate students and more than 3,500 undergraduates, 70 percent of whom reside in University housing. The University offers more than 80 undergraduate degrees and more than 25 graduate degrees through its five colleges, in fields such as sports management, nutrition, forensic science, music and sound recording, engineering, computer science and criminal justice. University College at UNH develops programs and courses to meet the emerging educational and training needs of educators, businesses and public and social agencies, focusing on academic excellence, convenience and flexibility. University of New Haven students study abroad through a variety of distinctive programs.
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