CHARGED-UP RESULTS

College is a time for self-discovery, academic growth, and, apparently, repeatedly swiping past the same five people on Tinder. At the University of New Haven, dating apps aren’t just a casual pastime; they’re a chaotic social experiment where the odds of matching with your ex’s roommate are higher than getting a parking spot in the Library Lot at noon. With a five-mile radius that keeps things nice and awkward, students are forced to navigate the same familiar faces, questionable bios, and the occasional sighting of a professor’s profile (we don’t have time to unpack all of that). The campus dating pool is a self-contained ecosystem where everyone somehow already knows each other. You can match with someone today, and by tomorrow, your entire friend group will have their Instagram, Snapchat, and embarrassing high school prom photos. Want to avoid matching with classmates? Too bad. By mid-semester, your options are a guy from your 8 a.m. lecture, a former group project partner who ghosted you after the final, and someone who still owes your roommate $20 from freshman year. Expanding the radius might help, but let’s be honest—no one is driving to Yale just for a first date. Then there’s the profile lineup, a curated selection of gym selfies, hiking photos (from that one time they went outside), and bios that range from “Looking for my Player 2” to “Not here for hookups, unless you’re down.” The athletic department’s finest make sure to include their height (for the record, no one believes you’re actually 6’2”), while business majors flex LinkedIn-style with “Entrepreneur | Hustler | DM for stock tips.” Meanwhile, the music kids hold out hope that someone will be impressed by their ability to play Wonderwall  on guitar. The horror doesn’t stop there. Thanks to the magic of campus Wi-Fi, you can match with someone at 10 p.m., make small talk for an hour, and then, like clockwork, run into them the next morning in line for Dunkin’. There’s no greater test of emotional resilience than making eye contact with someone who just hit you with the “lol wyd” text at 2 a.m. Should you say hi? Pretend you don’t recognize them? Transfer schools? These are the real questions Tinder doesn’t prepare you for. Then there’s the infamous Post-Match Ghosting Ritual. You know the one—where you and your match exchange a few lines of small talk before one of you inevitably disappears like a freshman during an 8 a.m. class. Maybe they saw you in broad daylight and got a sudden case of selective amnesia. Perhaps they got distracted by midterms, an existential crisis, or another match who promised them they “totally look like young Leonardo DiCaprio.” Whatever the reason, expect at least one person per semester to resurface in your messages with a casual “Hey, sorry I disappeared lol” six months later. Some brave souls do attempt actual campus dates, which, given the limited venue options, means you’re either grabbing a $9 coffee, sitting in complete silence, or awkwardly walking circles around the Bixler Quad while pretending you’re totally not out of things to talk about. Bonus points if your RA sees you mid-date and immediately texts the group chat with “Guess who I just saw holding hands outside of Cel?” Dating apps at UNH are less about romance and more about rolling the dice on social discomfort. Whether you find love, a decent study buddy, or just another reason to stay single, one thing’s for sure—you’re never really swiping on a stranger. You’re just one match away from realizing that your “new potential soulmate” was in Principles of Communication all along. Image by amrothman from Pixabay

DISCLAIMER: These are jokes. Go away if you’re a snowflake. In the grand tradition of higher education, choosing a college major is an opportunity to decide which type of disappointing career you’ll share at the yearly family dinner. Will you take the road to the prestigious world of finance? Perhaps embark on a noble quest to become a professional artist, doomed to a life of “passion projects” and unpaid internships? Let’s break down some of the most popular college majors at UNH and the truth behind each one. 1. Business: The Path to Power, Profit, and Panic Attacks If you’re a business major, chances are you think you're a future leader of the world — assuming you don’t spend the next decade locked in a basement, binge-watching Shark Tank  reruns. These students are generally driven by one clear goal: making money. Lots of it. They’ll boast about their internship at Goldman Sachs or Bank of America and use phrases such as “synergy,” “disruption,” and “let's circle back” to make sure everyone knows they have what it takes to climb the corporate ladder. Of course, your actual job title post-graduation is likely “Assistant to the Regional Manager” at a mid-level corporation, but the dream is still alive. And let’s not forget the consistent dressing in a suit and tie, regardless of the season, weather, or occasion because it makes you better than the rest of those “normies” who wear regular clothes. Gotta get comfortable being uncomfortable… plebs. 2. Psychology: I’m Here to Analyze You, Not Myself If you’re a psychology major, you will most likely spend four years studying the human mind and learning how to psychoanalyze everyone you meet. Let’s be honest though, you probably chose the major because it seemed like an easier option than math, not because you REALLY want to solve the mysteries of the brain. With a degree in psychology, you’ll graduate thinking you can diagnose your friends' emotional issues and traumas, but you’ll probably just end up working at a call center because “helping people” doesn’t come with a salary unless you’re a licensed therapist. That said, you’ll still have a superior understanding of why people enjoy posting vague, cryptic Instagram reels or Bible quotes on their Snap stories. And yes, you’ve probably heard the “if you’re depressed, just study your notes” joke too many times now. 3. English: The Starving Artist’s Starter Pack If you’re an English major, you definitely have a deep connection with words, most of the time at the expense of money in the bank account. You’ll probably be found absolutely springing at the opportunity to quote Shakespeare, Aristotle, or Socrates — not because you actually care about what some old guys from eons ago have to say, but because it’s the only thing you actually understand. Most of their essays usually involve over-analyzing a character’s shoes in Moby-Dick , convinced that they're about to unlock the secrets of the universe with their 20-page paper on the existential implications of a whale, with 10 of those pages turning words like “because” into “owing to the circumstance that” just to fill those word counts. Post-graduation, you’ll probably be either struggling to write for a magazine that hasn’t paid anyone since 2014 or you’ll live in a coffee shop, crafting a biography you started freshman year that you’ll swear up and down is "almost done." 4. Engineering: The Art of Pretending You Understand Calculus If you’re an engineering major, you’re definitely the first to tell anyone who cares enough to listen that you’re working on "big projects" and “solving global problems.” Let’s be real here — most of your time is spent Googling “How to fix a broken calculator” or crying into your pillow because of the amount of number and letter-crunching you have to do to barely solve an equation by 11:59. You chose this major because you think it’ll make you rich, but also because you think you’ll suddenly gain the ability to build a working robot out of an old toaster and a handful of rubber bands. You graduate with the ability to calculate the force required to launch a car into space but still can't figure out how to park one. Post-graduation, you are likely solving important problems at some tech company... until you inevitably end up getting distracted by your fifth “side project” that will “totally change the world… trust me, bro.” 5. Political Science: Preparing for a Lifetime of Disillusionment If your blissfully unaware past self chose political science as your major, you totally started your college journey believing you’ll change the world. By graduation, you’ll be full of existential dread, too disillusioned to ever run for office but just political enough to argue with everyone at Thanksgiving over what Republican and Democrat breathed funny in the other’s direction. You’ll spend hours analyzing voting patterns, reading up on international relations, and volunteering for campaigns, only to find out that your best job option after graduation is becoming an unpaid intern at some unnamable congressman’s office. But don’t worry — you’ll definitely be fine... as long as you can land a job as a political consultant, which you’ll explain time and time again in a series of LinkedIn posts to your two followers from university with whom you have an unspoken rivalry. 6. Art History: The Degree That’s Worth More If You Don’t Use It You art history majors are the brave souls who dedicate your lives to studying paintings and analyzing the brushstrokes of the Renaissance, looking for some hidden meaning behind a tree being skinny. Your main job after graduation? Explaining to mom and dad why a degree that costs $200,000 will result in you working as an “art consultant” at a gallery that has an annual budget smaller than the costs of your student loans. You’ll tell others all about the genius of Michelangelo while quietly panicking about how you’re going to eat that night. That said, your understanding of ancient sculptures will absolutely make you the most interesting guest at any dinner party… if they care to listen to your educated interpretations. 7. Philosophy: For Those Who Want to Think About Thinking (and literally nothing else) If you’re a philosophy major, you KNOW that you’re the true intellectual, sitting at the crossroads of existential questions like “What is the meaning of life?” and “How did I get into so much debt with this degree?” You’ll spend hours debating the finer points of Descartes while secretly wondering if a career in retail is more practical for your brain and wallet. Chances are, you’re so sure that you can solve the world’s problems — that is, until you realize that the world would prefer that you get a job at McDonald's, putting the fries in the bag, where you can talk about Kant while making Happy Meals. A philosophy degree makes you an expert in questioning everything, including whether it was a good idea to get a philosophy degree (it wasn’t). 8. Biology: The Real Reason You’re Avoiding Chemistry I’m willing to bet that you biology majors are obsessed with living things because you simply don’t want to deal with atoms. You spend hours memorizing cell structures, DNA replication, and the life cycle of an amphibian, but when it comes to applying math to science, your timbers are shivered. Biology is the major for the ones who want to help save the planet by becoming medical researchers, wildlife conservationists, or, at worst, biology teachers — just as long as no one asks them to do any advanced equations. After all, they're too busy learning about how to properly cut open frogs and newborn pigs to care about numbers. 9. Communication: Because Your Biggest Talent is Talking. I’ll give props to you communication majors, because you usually tend to be the life of the party. You chose this major because you love to talk and are convinced that the world needs more of your (not so) insightful commentary. You’re the ones who can’t help but deliver a TED Talk on why Twitter and “them liberals” are ruining society, but struggle to figure out how to send an email without accidentally 360 body-slamming that “reply all” button. After graduation, you’ll likely land a job in marketing, PR, or “social media strategy,” which basically means posting “inspirational” Andrew Tate and “The Grind Never Stops” quotes on Instagram and pretending you have your life together, the whole time munching on chips on the couch in your mother’s basement, which you never ended up moving out of because you’re “waiting for the right moment.” 10. Forensic Science: The Ultimate 'CSI' Fantasy Forensic science majors, you guys are the true crime fanatics who believe that watching 16 seasons of CSI  and Law and Order  qualifies you to solve actual crimes. Chances are, you’re in it for the glamour of crime scenes, DNA analysis, and the thrill of cracking cold cases. That is, until you come to the realization that most of your time will be spent running tests on hair samples and telling people that no, they cannot just “analyze a body on the spot” like they do in the TV shows. After four years of studying blood-spatter patterns, toxicology reports, and years-old solved cases, you’ll land a job as a lab technician, where you spend 90% of your day analyzing strange liquids with names you can’t pronounce without feeling like your furniture is gonna start floating, waiting for your “big break” in the field. When you finally get your moment of fame, it’s likely to involve filling out witness paperwork instead of solving murders Sherlock Holmes-style with crappy one-liners. 11. Fire Science: Fighting Fire with… Fire? Ahh… fire science majors. You guys are the brave souls who are convinced you can save the world one blaze at a time. You’ll likely spend four years learning the intricacies of fire safety, emergency response, and how not to burn your eyebrows off while doing it. Despite the flashy career you’re probably envisioning — running into burning buildings while looking heroic in firefighter gear — only to find out that most of your job will involve making sure fire extinguishers are in the right place and checking fire alarms in empty office buildings. But the real payoff comes when you finally join a fire department and get to slide down poles in between catching up on paperwork. (Spoiler: There are no pole slides in reality — it's all about safety checks.) After graduation, you feel like absolute heroes when they’re not sifting through fire incident reports explaining to the public that the fire truck siren is NOT fun to listen to or taking orders from someone your age or younger who jumped the gun on their high school graduation instead of strolling around campus wearing their signature fire science jackets. Campus mythology says that the minute you commit as a fire science major, you gain a jacket with the curse to never be able to take it off. Conclusion: Pick a Major, Any Major At the end of the day, the major you choose is less about what you're actually going to do in life and more about what kind of pretentious elevator pitch you want to give at every networking event and high school reunion for the next 20 years. Choose wisely, or, you know, just pick something that makes your parents happy and hope you can figure something out later. After all, you have four years to pretend to be an expert in something (other than the constant abuse of drugs and caffeine), which is the true purpose of higher education. Disclaimer:  No actual career guidance was provided in the making of this article. LinkedIn Sales Navigator: https://www.pexels.com/es-es/foto/hombre-mirando-fuera-de-la-ventana-con-mochila-negra-y-marron-mientras-sostiene-su-mano-en-la-ventana-1251861/

Getting hungry comes with the territory when you’re traveling. After TSA, passengers find themselves with various snack vendors and restaurants in the airline terminal. If you choose not to indulge in a sit-down meal, you embark on a journey in the aircraft and begin a battle with their selection of food. We’ve all heard the joke, “How about that airline food?” Well, how about it? The biggest question we all need an answer to is: Where does it come from? I think the only thing that compares to it is school lunches. Whoever is cooking these pre-loaded meals has never fine-dined. We should not be continuing these recipes, just as the Scream  series should’ve ended in the ’90s. Is it worth the risk to eat on the plane now, knowing you had the choice of Five Guys back on the ground? I bet not. Let’s also address the elephant in the room — those portions feed baby birds. They serve the same portion sizes as Nobu in LA, except Nobu has a reason to charge $60 a plate. Spirit Airlines does not. As you sit down with your meal, let’s survey this plate. We listen, and we don’t judge. Do you have a protein or meat selection on this spread? Does it look like it came from an animal or plant? If not, I hope it tastes like it did. This is a real gamble we’re taking here, friends. I’m wondering if these carrots are Play-Doh that’s a few days old or the orange gem itself. Wait — were those mashed potatoes on the menu, or did they find paper-mâché leftovers? With so many assortments, thankfully, we have seasonings! The tricky part here, folks, is tracking down those flight attendants to give you some love with the salt and pepper packets. Seasoning is not an option; it’s an obligation. If you find paprika, you’re living the high life. No one is judging you while you become an acrobat trying to maneuver the eating tray. That thing takes longer to unfold than it does to let you operate in peace. Your cutlery is also from the Easy-Bake set you had at age 6, so don’t expect a miracle from that. You may find yourself exhibiting primal skills when cutting open that mystery meat you chose. Oh, and that dessert you were questioning? It’s not food. It’s a self-defense mechanism because those Biscoff cookies haven’t been out of those pantries in eons. I think we can all agree this is an adventure on its own. Let yourself sleep well at night knowing the people in first class are eating the same school lunch you’re eating right now. The only difference is they get a fancy tray that’s been washed once every three days — if no spills find their way. You’ve also now touched something that a celebrity has! Wash those paws, though — germs do exist! One thing first class has on you is their selection of all-inclusive drinks. This also means that by the time that fifth glass of rosé comes, they won’t care if it’s carrots or a Lego. Yay for them! And for you, because dinner and a show never hurt anyone! Get those phones ready — you’re either going to be famous or a person of interest. By this point in your flight, hopefully, you’re regretting your choice to eat this food. Five Guys was always the better option. Don’t worry, that “jet lag” is going to kick in soon enough. For the sake of you, your pants, and the whole plane, leaving is usually quick. I would refrain from that turbulent walk of shame to the bathrooms on the plane. This action could be the most fatal flaw. I think airline food is made to set us up for failure. After we leave our flight, those attendants smile, knowing we just had the most nuclear food ever. But now the airports are making a quick dime off your Pepto-Bismol purchase. Yikes! As we return to the land of the sane and reasonable — because you finished that meal — I hope we’ve learned. The only time you need that airline food is when you haven’t seen the bathroom in some time. It’s always a great puzzle to travel, but it’s an even greater one why people still eat airline food.

UNH, you are so perfect, and I love to wander through your barren pathways. Every day, I fall more and more in love with your potholes and dead grass. But I experience the most peace when I think about the things of the past — like the tree that used to stand proudly in the Maxcy Quad. Maxcy Hall Perhaps my favorite place to be is the area behind Bergami and in front of Kaplan, which has become a wind tunnel. Every time I exit Berg, there’s nothing quite like the taste of my hair flying into my mouth at 10 a.m. Kaplan Hall When I escape the wind and want other ways to reconnect with nature, I find myself going to the green behind Bixler to take in the lush trees of beautiful Connecticut. No matter the season, one tree always remains greener than the rest, and that is proof that things will be OK. Bixler Hall When it’s too cold to bear and I need to quickly get from one side of Bergami to the other, I take the secret passage located in the basement — which has never once made me feel scared! Bergami Hall Bergami Hall Basement And to wind down, I like to take in the art of the campus — specifically that weird metal statue near the shuttle stop, which, for my Pokémon Go enjoyers, is a PokéStop. Shoutout to that! I'm not sure what this is, honestly. Each day, I am astounded by the beautiful campus we are lucky to call home. It is warm and inviting, and I have never once had a complaint about my surroundings. UNH, I love you despite your many, many flaws and cherish every place where water pools when it rains, forcing me to walk through the mud. Thank you for being you.

“Digital sonnets and syntax sentiments” Oh yes, dearest reader, the digital courtship in which a modern-day sonnet is composed in the flickering glow and flare of a screen. No need for whale lard candles to burn as the ink bleeds and the quill frays. What are the textual offerings for courtship in the present? The written word is no longer needed to profess love. Wordle word nerds, this is a siren call to those who find solace in the etymological abscess. It is a battlefield, my dear, proving to be harder and harder to decode and dissect these textual offerings. I shall decode some of what truly lurks beneath the veneer of this linguistic camaraderie. Oh, it is a battlefield — ground zero for the intellectually insecure — but don’t worry, I will be your guide to the other side of the emoticon hieroglyphs. “Intellectually stimulating coffee date” They want an intellectually stimulating coffee date. That is a mere pretense, a thinly veiled arena for semantical jousting. The coffee is merely a lubricant in the form of perfectly heated java beans served and plated to be sold for $30.99 without tax because the origins of said beans are digested and then secreted to make the fanciest hipster brew in town. Then you can be asked about the symbolisms of everyday life, which is just a euphemism for the ceaseless dissection of your very being. The casual utterance becomes subject to merciless scrutiny. They claim their heart beats in tune with iambic pentameter. A declaration of romantic intent and courtship? Nay, it is a threat. Prepare for the impromptu recitations and for your every sentiment to be measured against the rhythmical tyranny of poetic meter by those deemed the “greats.” They claim their soul yearns for perfect cadence, which loosely translates to your conversational style being found wanting, and your linguistic rhythm deemed amateur. “Spirit animal: Purdue Owl” A self-proclamation of grammatical correctness, a harbinger of the written. Just so they can deconstruct film tropes and musicals to exercise their intellectual superiority and assert dominance through the dissection of popular culture. The art of passively, aggressively annotating every document they receive, down to the findings on absurdly long CVS receipts. The deeply ingrained need and compulsion to impose meaning upon the mundane cesuras found in the white spaces. The 35-page artistic yet critical piece on the foundations of every inanimate object in their junk drawer: some desperate attempt to imbue the ordinary with some profound significance. “Difference between affect and effect?” Pass this test and you will be deemed worthy of their intellectual and heartfelt affections. On Wednesdays only. The specificity is so chillingly precise for their schedule of eccentric rituals. Truly a testament to the meticulously organized neurosis of the mind. An obsession, a desperate search for chiasmus in crumbled-up napkins, meaning in the monotony of daily life. Finding metaphors in the fragmented nature of modern existence in Ikea furniture guides. One who knows the existential dread within the epigraph written on my eaten-up dollar in the Maxcy vending machine. An invitation to join in the abyss of their own meticulously created self-doom. “Emoji analysis required” The final sense of engagement in this romantic world is a Word document with a bare minimum of 500 words. A task worthy of a doctoral dissertation? MLA citations? A demand for academic rigor, a power play cloaked in word play. A test of your endurance and a measure of your ability to conform to their intellectual standards without breaking the rules. A tough grader, a literary gauntlet, a test of your taste, your brain, your very soul. They promise to judge and critique you extensively. They promise a declaration of their intent to dissect, drain, categorize, and quantify your worth. In essence, the love and romance of emoticons is a declaration of intellectual warfare. A call to arms for those who dare to enter their labyrinth of linguistic pretension. Proceed with caution, for you are not finding love within pixelated exchanges, but you are sparring in a never-ending battle of wits. My feline familiar, Lord Cigglesworth, has been a silent witness to the endless stream of academia’s linguistics in emoticon form, a furry confidant in the loneliness of intellectual isolation. Wallace Chuck: https://www.pexels.com/es-es/foto/hoja-verde-en-pila-de-libros-3704611/

Brace yourselves — April 12 is coming. Board up your dorms, crank up the white noise machine, and prepare for the horror of… school spirit. The University of New Haven jazz band will congregate around the horse statue to perform for incoming students. Students who reside on campus are often startled by the band’s performance during Accepted Students Days, despite the multiple posters, media posts, and website updates about the event. Everyone should have had enough time to prepare for Doomsday with all of the announcements sent out. But don’t worry! Disgruntled students can cope by complaining about the band on the anonymous social app YikYak. “Why do they need the band for the accepted students?” one student inquired with frustration. To be fair, it’s not like any incoming students are looking to join a concert band. Who wants to be known as a band kid on campus? Instead, we should have the football players tackle passing tour guides to show our athleticism. The band director, Jason DeGroff, could act as the cheerleader. Maybe next year, for incoming criminal justice majors, we could offer to tackle Charlie the Charger and then follow the case through the courts. We have to wonder why the campus would even bother having band members perform. Perhaps the university is attempting to use traditions to demonstrate core values and provide a warm welcome to prospective students despite the lack of community and spirit among the student body? Doubt it. The marching band is a reflection of the university for incoming families. Since on-campus students reject the idea of celebrating their university, the band has been asked to play quieter. The pep band must adapt to the circumstances, given how awful it must be to wake up to free music performed by friends and peers within the comfort of your own heated dorm room. The country band will come up with new methods to appeal to the residents. Since band members are immune to the cold, the saxophones and trombones will shove their scarves and hats into their horns to mute themselves. The drums and the electronic instruments, such as the guitars and bassists, will trade out their instruments for Guitar Hero controllers. Trumpets have opted out of performing, per majority vote. They want to attend the event, but there is too much concern over whether Gerber and Bixler residents will start a riot. Additionally, the indie rock band will perform at noon to resolve the serious sleep deprivation it has caused in the past. Until the band attends, they have offered their speakers to play the Just Dance 2021  song playlist on repeat starting at 8 a.m. Remember, next Accepted Students Day is April 12! Make sure to go to bed extra late to wake up all the more angry at the band for simply having fun. Go out there and show us your lack of school spirit! Remember, the best way to prove your indifference to campus traditions is to dedicate your entire day to complaining about them. See you on YikYak! University of New Haven - Alumni Magazine- Fall 2018 "We are Family"

As many of you know, I'm always rooting for my team. But I also take pride in rooting for this school. This week, we're spotlighting some incredible highlights from the College of Arts and Sciences, particularly the Communications Department. The communications department offers three concentration paths for our students to choose from. First, we have film production and media entrepreneurship. Second, there's multi-platform journalism and media, including television production. Finally, my pick: public relations and Digital Media. A concentration in film production and media shapes communications in many ways. If these topics pique your interest, you could find yourself working on cinematography, screenwriting, playwriting or film editing. You'll learn to harness your creativity and acquire skills actively used in the industry. You'll gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art studio equipment and editing software. Some of the fantastic instructors guiding you on this journey include Wayne Edwards, Paul Falcone, Nicki Chavoya, Diane Smith, Dean Pagani and Susanne Murphy, along with our department. Have you ever dreamed of becoming a globetrotter? Paul Falcone and Tom Garrett will help you become a star-studded director. In the Film 2 course, you'll have the chance to work with a real crew, go through the casting process and screen an entire student film. You'll pitch and create a movie from scratch, and after the process, you could submit your film for an Emmy and multiple film festivals. Garrett will even encourage you to attend the Cannes Film Festival to walk the red carpet, watch screenings with the stars and live the Interested in student media? Join our live news broadcast, Charger Bulletin News, either as a class or just for fun. Our live broadcast was recently submitted to the New England division of the Emmys. Staying put in the studio? Check out Charger 360, the official video podcast of the University of New Haven. Each episode features guests from across the university with the goal of giving you a 360-degree view of the amazing things happening in Charger Nation. Our department also provides opportunities to intern with organizations such as ESPN, Lionsgate, NBC Sports and Disney. Here, you'll participate in real-world meetings and experiences, especially in sports communication, Wayne Edwards' area of ​​expertise. Interested in pursuing sports management, communications or business? A sports communication minor can complement a sports management or business major, providing skills in media relations, marketing, and broadcasting. This opens opportunities in teams, agencies, media outlets and sports organizations, where communication is key to business success. Edwards also teaches a course titled “Race, Gender, Class in the Media,” exploring the evolving relationship between human relations and equity in the workforce. Not into TV and film? Nicki Chavoya's music video class will capture your attention. In this course, you'll learn how to produce high-quality productions in a short amount of time, sourcing your musicians. In the final project, you'll create a music video that could also win an Emmy. This is not just a far-off dream—just last year, Harley Angelillo's production, Hope You Like Roses  by Powder, won an Emmy. Now, let's shift to multi-platform journalism and media, where you might find yourself writing for The New York Times  or winning a Pulitzer Prize. Look at the dreamer in you! Our department is home to award-winning journalists, including those with Pulitzer-level experience, who mentor students in pursuing authentic media literacy. These are the mentors who will guide you to success. The journalism track at UNH prepares students for careers in top publications, giving them the tools to navigate the fast-paced media industry. Whether you're starting in the widely popular class “Communications and the Law” — which draws the lines between law and morality in the media — or learning AP style writing in our student newspaper or digital (soon-to-be print) magazine, you'll have plenty of opportunities. You can also get involved in Charger Bulletin  live news, where you could become the producer or director of our broadcast. You'll use our media hub to explore journalism and the role of technology in the industry. Our radio studio, WNHU, is right across the street, so if you've ever dreamed of creating your own YouTube show, now's the time to make it happen. Bruce Barber, our radio supervisor and esteemed faculty member with years of experience, will guide you into the world of audio perspectives. Does the idea of ​​slowing things down appeal to you? Consider taking the “Telling Digital Stories” course, which provides students with the foundation to report with integrity and accuracy, taught by Susanne Murphy and Nicki Chavoya. In this class, you'll explore multi-platform journalism, digital media and equality in our community while simultaneously using audio, images and video to tell compelling stories about real-world experiences. Through guest speakers, networking opportunities and hands-on training, students gain real-world experience in journalism and media ethics. The communications department provides extensive journalism opportunities, from student-run media to award-winning publications. Finally, wrapping up the list with public relations and digital media. Key classes include “Telling Digital Stories,” “Public Relations Principles & Practices,” “Social Impact of Media” and “Communication in Organizations.” New classes coming in fall 2025 include “Photojournalism History and Practice” and “Writing for Newsletters, Daily Briefings, and News Analysis,” both taught by Dean Pagani. Pagani is a public relations expert who brings years of experience to the classroom. “Photojournalism History and Practice” explores the history of photojournalism, its impact on public affairs and ethics, and its evolution to the present day. The course “Writing for Newsletters, Daily Briefings, and News Analysis” focuses on delivering news, engaging in independent journalism and learning how to communicate internally within businesses and organizations. “Public Relations Principles & Practices” introduces students to the role public relations plays in today's business, social, political and cultural environments. You'll gain real-world experience that you can apply to everyday life. “Social Impact of Media” looks at issues like media regulation, law, ethics and the behavioral aspects of mass and interpersonal communication. You'll also write your own media messages. Lastly, “Communication in Organizations” is an industry-based course that addresses real-world, complex problems and case studies. If you're still not convinced but are lurking in the shadows of switching, maybe the general communications minor is for you. The University of New Haven's communication minor teaches effective communication, media literacy and public speaking. One of your core classes is “Intro to Communications” with professor Diane Smith. Students gain skills in conveying ideas, analyzing media and improving interpersonal interactions, which are valuable across various careers. Please note the following two requirements: You may not declare a major and minor in the same program, and a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required. Wow, we've covered a lot of info here! I do not doubt that if you aren't already captivated by these opportunities, you will be soon. We have a knack for drawing people in—probably because every project we create is, let's be honest, award-winning! With industry-changing faculty, hands-on experiences and endless opportunities, this isn't just a program—it's your launchpad. The world is always yours to explore.

Contributing Writer Patch Bowen "Dear Colleague:" A letter with chilling implications from the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights was sent to universities nationwide as Trump's administration ramps up pressure on DEI initiatives. According  to the letter from the Department of Education's  acting assistant secretary, Craig Trainor, all universities that receive federal funds are supposedly mandated to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion programs from their administrative departments. The deadline was Feb. 28, and it now falls on educational institutions to implement what may be sweeping policy changes. The University of New Haven has yet to respond with official statements. Still, the dissonance is apparent in the Myatt Center for Diversity & Inclusion and its retracted DEI office changes. How can changes happen without warning, yet no one claims responsibility in the administration? Just five days after the letter reached campus on February 19, the Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion's Diversity Peer Educators were instructed to remove "Diversity and Inclusion" from the office's name, drop programs and meetings related to heritage months, race, or other topics under the diversity umbrella, and refer to the student work-study positions as simply "Peer Educators."  "I think the decision is going to have immediate effects that we can likely predict for certain populations," said Kenneth Notorino-Jeffreys, Myatt assistant director, "but there's going to be many unintended effects that we don't realize we are going to see."  He said, "Not only am I fearful for how our students of underrepresented communities are going to internalize these decisions that are being made, but also the identities that folks oftentimes don't realize fall within this aspect of "DEI.'” Much of what students have heard from staff and faculty has come indirectly, and students say that not much has been made directly clear regarding school DEI policies—students who’ve followed the national media coverage of Pres. Trump's executive orders know that the developing administration is set on dismantling equitable practice under civil rights law despite the blockage of the lower courts and Congress. In late January, some semblance of reassurance came from University President Jens Frederiksen and Darby Brown, president of the Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA), who said in a recent executive officer report, "The University is committed to its students and, as Jens often quotes, 'the human good.’” Brown also said: "First, many of these directives are regarding corporate businesses, and not much has been explicitly said about higher education. Second, the University is private, so if anything were to come out on the federal level, there is a more substantial possibility it will not affect us because of our status as a private institution. "[Lastly,] we briefly discussed concerns about budget cuts or related items. I still understand what the business and financial terms mean; however, he and I are working on a date in March/April for him to return to the USGA and speak about that and some other University initiatives. All this is to say, your concerns are heard, and so long as we are still here, we will continue to relay and communicate them to the University Administration." As reported by the Guardian, US District Judge Adam Abelson recently blocked the federal DEI bans. Thus, it is impossible to predict how the campus could be legally bound or how the nearly 1,000 BIPOCs in the community will be affected. As of last week, the Myatt returned "for Diversity and Inclusion" to its title, reposted Diversity Peer Educator graphics edited to censor mentions of DEI the previous week, and informed student staff that everything will continue as it has at an administrative level. They're also referencing questions asked to DPEs who requested to remain off-record. Administrators and students expect the enforcement of anti-DEIAB( Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging) laws to be strict and, as the letter promises, will impact all corners of education. Invoking the legal precedent set by Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (SFFA, 2023),  which rescinded affirmative action for higher education admissions, the letter aggressively reasserts the federal government's aims to "eradicate DEI" and so-called "woke ideology" through executive power.  Students should keep up with the latest reporting on federal actions at Charger Bulletin, Charger Bulletin News, and Horseshoe. Photo Credits University of New Haven

Q: What inspired you to create To See The Sky, such a unique fantasy story? A: Well, I have always loved stories that play around with the concept of freedom, whether this be mental, physical or emotional. So I thought to myself, how would I create a story where multiple versions of freedom could be challenged? Thus, I created Llanka, a small country where the Melawa are unable to leave. I also have always liked the idea of rainfall being a narrative core to any of the stories I have created in the past so I wanted to expand on that. There are many different natures to the rain than meets the eye that I have yet to show but eventually I will get there. Q: What was your creative process like while drafting? A: So whenever the idea of creating something comes to mind, I like to start drawing! Whether these are very detailed character concepts or just scribbles with vague descriptions, I like getting the ideas out there so that it manifests in the world if even just for a moment. It inspires me to give the doodles a story and from then on I just keep going! Q: Do you have any writers you look up to or see as role models? A: My three favorites are easily Yoko Taro, Inio Asano and Haruko Ichikiawa. They each have this weird and unique way about creating their stories that emotionally impacted me in a way I did not feel was possible. In fact, Yoko Taro is one of the core reasons why my end goal is to become a Narrative designer/Creative Director for video games in the first place! The way he uses games to further immerse the audience deeper into the overall narrative is genius. This is mainly seen in my favorite game, NieR: Automata. As for Inio Asano and Haruko Ichikawa, they are both mangaka who have such deep and depressing thematic cores surrounding their stories that I can’t help but love. Whether it is the sacrifice that comes with change in Houseki no Kuni(Ichikawa) or the angsty coming of age story amidst a deeply flawed and often painful reality seen in Oyasumi Punpun(Asano). Both resonate with me deeply and going on with my life I often think a lot about the messages seen in both of these stories. Q: Did you have any ideas for To See The Sky that didn't work out? A: I wanted to showcase a bit more of the tribes and lifestyles of those around the 3 different rings. But there is just so much to work with in some 9-10 issues that I simply won’t have enough time to cover all of them. That doesn’t mean I won’t show them off more in the future seeing as “Tales Of Llanka” is planned to be a collection of short-ish stories to build up the world and culture. Q: What elements of the world of Lanka were the hardest to build? Which were your favorite? A: Without a doubt it’s creating a society that is forced to live within a small area that is constantly plagued with perpetual downpour, creatures from the abyss and unpredictable weather that makes life living quite a daring task. There is also creating the magic system which I have yet to showcase yet in the story but it is both simple and confusing but I hope to show it off in a way that is interesting! My favorite element of the world of Llanka is without a doubt, the various tribes that live within Llanka. Each has their own role to play with some being more important than others, there are certain exceptions where people can switch tribes but that is yet to be seen! Q: What are your goals with To See The Sky? A: Well I don’t have too much time to write all I want to do with the story but my goal is without a doubt to build the foundation of the world! Seneca is only just a fragment of what I have planned out but I really want to flesh out and grow the world through her eyes. Eventually, when I finish I will branch off the story to focus on the main plot of Llanka but for now this is just a sneak peek for what’s going to come in the next years! Q: If you had to give one piece of advice to any beginner writer, what would you say? A: Oh that’s a hard one, mainly since I consider myself a beginner writer myself! I haven’t done much so far but I think one of the most important things one can do is just put yourself out there. I’m not 100% sure how “To See The Sky” is going to go or if it will even end in a good way since it’s my first ongoing and official story. However, I feel it is important that I do it regardless of anything. How am I going to get better if I don’t mess up every now and then, right? One of the biggest fears writers have going into making anything creative is “Is this good? Will people enjoy this?” But I think the most important part is, do you enjoy it? Regardless of anything? You have to write for yourself first and foremost. Otherwise, what’s the point! Joshua Lozano

Contributing Writer Neha Jelemu Late into the night, a half-eaten muffin sits on my desk as I prepare for the next day. Yet, in the quiet moments, I find myself wondering: what exactly did I accomplish today? I’ve always seen life as a sequence of actions without a clear destination. My mind is my most formidable foe, and every day is a battle. Morning arrives with an existential question: What am I doing? Where am I going?  There are no simple answers. If there were an award for taking on the most difficult tasks head-on, I might be a top contender. Each day brings a new adventure, but today felt particularly intense. My toughest obstacle was my own mind, spiraling out of control over a life-changing decision. After what seemed like an eternity of analyzing every possibility, I realized that shaping my thoughts—rather than being consumed by them—was progress. Still, some days, like today, bring an overwhelming sense of fatigue and disorientation, while others flood me with an inexplicable joy—dopamine surging through my system like an unstoppable force. How can I even describe this sensation? It’s more excruciating than the worst menstrual cramps; it feels like my brain itself is seizing up. I have learned more from life than I ever imagined possible. At 25, I feel like I’ve lived 50 years’ worth of experiences. Some days, I question what truly makes me human. Is it my intellect, which never stops asking questions, or my heart, which never stops feeling? I've always been a cheerful, vivacious, and multi-talented woman. I thrive on multitasking, yet today, I spent hours trying to understand why I was feeling this way. Before I knew it, noon had arrived, and my stomach reminded me that eating is non-negotiable, no matter my emotions. With my limited cooking skills, I managed to prepare a simple egg dish—a small but necessary victory. Later, I decided to go to the gym, hoping exercise would help me decompress. As soon as I stepped inside, I found myself wondering why everyone else was there. Were they all simply working on their bodies, or were some, like me, using exercise as an escape from internal battles? Drawn to a Zumba class, I stepped in, eager to experience the energy of dance. By the end of the session, I was drenched in sweat—but I felt truly alive. Back home, I threw myself into my laptop, determined to be productive before the day ended. After all, isn’t self-worth measured by output? Just as I was losing myself in my work, my phone rang. It was my mother, calling to remind me not to overthink things. “What’s the worst that could happen?”  she often asks. “There’s nothing too big to be afraid of.”  Her words ground me. She is my constant source of motivation, the force that holds my world together. Overthinking has become a staple of my daily routine. Back in India, I was different—carefree, unburdened by the endless arguments in my head. But living alone, managing responsibilities, and navigating adulthood in a foreign country have changed me. And that’s okay. Change reshapes life, brings fresh perspectives, and teaches valuable lessons. Still, I need to break free from this cycle of overthinking. The real question remains: brain or heart?  Which one should I trust? One pushes me forward, while the other keeps me reflective. Through it all, my career has been my anchor. No matter what life throws at me, my determination to succeed never wavers. Whether it’s six in the morning or midnight, my ambition drives me forward. My career is one of the things I am most proud of. In life, I may lose many things—but not this. It is the one aspect of my identity I can claim with absolute certainty. Despite everything, I know I’m doing okay. No matter how difficult the journey, I never fail to give my all. I see life as a game of chess—each person making their moves, navigating their own strategies and battles. I will continue making mine, but I will keep them unpredictable. Because in this game, my greatest advantage is the element of surprise. Original Photo by Neha Jelemu

SPOILERS AHEAD If you’ve been in anime spaces for longer than five minutes, you’ve probably heard about JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure —the meme-fueled, genre-defying and beautifully unhinged series that has been running since 1987. Hirohiko Araki’s magnum opus has influenced everything from modern shonen  to high fashion, proving that posing dramatically while discussing bloodlines is, in fact, peak storytelling. As a filmmaker and storyteller, JoJo’s  has impacted the way I think about character depth and narrative payoff. Every part is a self-contained yet interconnected saga that plays with genre, visual language and emotion in ways that mainstream media often avoids. But perhaps the most impressive thing about JoJo’s  is how, despite spanning generations, some character traits remain deeply embedded in the Joestar lineage. And today, I’m here to argue something that should be obvious but doesn’t get enough credit: Jolyne Cujoh is the true successor to Jonathan Joestar—not just in bloodline, but in spirit. Jonathan is the gentleman of the Joestar family, a man so honorable he could probably hold the door open for you while actively fighting a vampire. He’s noble, kind and selfless to a fault. On the surface, Jolyne seems to be the opposite—angsty, rebellious and flipping off her dad in a Florida prison, but at her core, she is the closest to Jonathan any JoJo has ever been. Like him, she never hesitates to fight for others, never compromises her sense of justice and willingly sacrifices herself to protect the people she loves. Jonathan meets his end stopping Dio, knowing he won’t live to see the future he fought for. Jolyne faces Pucci, aware that she’s walking into certain death just to make sure Emporio has a chance to survive. The first JoJo and the last JoJo in the original timeline share more than just a bloodline—they share the belief that true heroism isn’t about winning. It’s about making sure that, even if you fail, someone else gets to stand. And that’s why Jolyne Cujoh is the most Jonathan-like Joestar to ever exist. This kind of storytelling is what makes JoJo’s  so legendary. It isn’t just about fight scenes, bizarre abilities or the absurdity that has made it a staple in pop culture. It’s about legacy. The series itself is a testament to how powerful originality can be when a creator dares to push beyond conventions. That’s something I think about every time I sit down to write, plan or conceptualize a project. I have always wanted to create something that leaves a mark, something that people don’t just consume but feel. A piece of media that sits with them long after they’ve experienced it, changing the way they see the world, if only a little. Every great storyteller dreams of this. And yet, the hardest part isn’t having the dream—it’s figuring out how to make something that lasts. Before JoJo’s , I gravitated toward media that played with bold ideas. I’ve always admired projects that stand out, that don’t try to fit a mold but instead reshape the entire landscape of storytelling. I knew I wanted to do something like that, but I didn’t know what my version of it looked like. Then, I found JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure , and suddenly, everything clicked. JoJo’s  isn’t afraid to be original. Araki takes massive creative risks, and yet, no matter how wild things get, it all works because of the underlying emotional core. You can have characters with the most absurd abilities—a guy who fights with spaghetti, a sentient colony of ants, a literal rock human—and it still feels real because the characters themselves are deeply human. They love, they struggle and they grow. The emotions are raw and unapologetic. That’s what makes it great. The commitment to reinvention is another thing that makes JoJo’s  unlike anything else. Every part of the series resets the playing field—new protagonist, new setting, new stakes—but it never loses its identity. The DNA of JoJo’s  is consistent, no matter how much the surface changes. That is something I think about constantly when developing stories. Can I make something that is uniquely mine but still evolves? Can I create a project that carries my voice even if I tell completely different stories? Then there’s the sheer confidence of it all. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure  is not a series that second-guesses itself. It is dramatic, absurd, deeply emotional and unafraid of being too much. That kind of fearlessness is what I want to bring into my work. It’s easy to get caught up in doubts—will people like this, will this work, is this idea too weird? The greatest stories come from people who commit to their vision fully. Araki’s ability to just go for it has pushed me to do the same. This is especially important in the projects I’m working on right now. I’m at a point where I feel like I’m finally carving out the kind of stories I want to tell. The film I’m making, the creative risks I’m taking, the way I approach storytelling—it’s all influenced by what I’ve learned from JoJo’s . Not just in style, but in philosophy. I want to create things that people remember. I want to make stories that push boundaries and make audiences feel something, whether that’s awe, heartbreak or just the simple joy of experiencing something truly unique. And, honestly? That’s why I love Jolyne and Jonathan so much. They represent what I want to achieve. They stand tall in the face of impossible odds, knowing they might not make it out, but still fight with everything they have. They believe in something bigger than themselves. That’s what I want to do with my work. I want to create something that matters, even if it means taking risks. I want to leave behind something that, years from now, someone can look at and say, this changed me.  That’s what JoJo’s  did for me, and if I can capture even a fraction of that in my own creations, then I’ll know I’m on the right path. Original Photo by Sydney Field

As I approach the halfway mark of my college career while preparing for my third year at the University of New Haven, I’ve taken some time to reflect on my experiences. I’m midway through my journey, and it can be daunting to realize that once my time is up, all I’ll have left are the experiences and wisdom I’ve gained. I want to chronicle and share my experiences with younger students so they can learn what I learned through trial and error. The Importance of Mental Health in College Coming to college, I brushed off everyone who told me that university is a completely different game from high school, with more challenges than meets the eye. During my first few weeks of freshman year, I believed every upperclassman who told me “just you wait” was just trying to scare me—until I experienced firsthand what it truly meant to be away from my comfort zone, surrounded by people I didn’t know, all by myself. I grew up poor, so my family has never been able to help me. The first thing I learned about was the pressure. I had to be locked in almost 24/7. Especially on this small campus, maintaining the image of someone who is put together is incredibly important, including in my own living space. I felt like I was constantly being judged. I had to be “on” all the time and prepared for my peace to be interrupted at any moment—by friends and newfound enemies alike. I cannot emphasize enough how important mental health is in college. You’re away from home, surrounded by strangers. The most unexpected things will happen to keep you on your toes, and you quickly learn that classes are only a small part of your college experience. How I Manage My Mental Health Navigating these hurdles over the past two years has been a rough game of trial and error, with the stakes higher than ever before. I had to find my peace and my outlet while dealing with overwhelming feelings—feeling like I was the “ugly friend” and not understanding what was happening half the time. I was a 17-year-old who had graduated early, surrounded by adults. The biggest step I took—and one I’ve never looked back on—was committing to the gym. I had been lifting since high school, but I never took it seriously. At first, I worked out because I wanted to attract women the way one of my friends seemed to do effortlessly. I wanted his confidence, physique and charm. But during my sophomore year, I found friends in the gym community, and my perspective changed. The gym became more than just a way to look good—it became a way to feel confident, release energy when I was angry, and clear my head when dealing with social or academic stress. Now, I’m a completely different person in terms of both appearance and self-perception. I surrounded myself with people who were better than me, and in turn, they pushed me every day—to lift more, take that step, do one more rep even when I was practically in tears. The gym became something I could wake up and be excited about, all while becoming healthier and more confident in myself. One of the most stressful parts of college for me has been juggling assignments, exams and extracurriculars (including the one you’re reading right now). I used to cope by pulling all-nighters, sleeping through entire days and missing classes just to play catch-up at night. I developed a serious caffeine addiction—to the point where I couldn’t hold a conversation unless I was sipping a Celsius or a coffee. It was dangerous. I had to change, or my heart wouldn’t keep up with my body. By sophomore year, I discovered the Pomodoro technique, which changed the way I worked. I was diagnosed with ADHD, and the Pomodoro technique allowed me to work in short, high-intensity bursts rather than slogging through five assignments in a row. I’d work for 30 minutes, listening to music, then take a 15-minute break. This method motivated me, and I’ve ended up getting more done than ever before. I used to think that being constantly busy was the key to success—until I had a complete nervous breakdown. I locked myself in my room and stayed in bed for days. I wouldn’t even leave to eat unless my roommate and friend forced me to. But assignments piled up, and I ended up failing my first class. Let me make this clear: Staying constantly busy will never end well for you. It never has, and it never will. Taking time to pursue things you love for your “now” instead of your “later” is crucial to long-term success. Watch a movie, go for a walk, climb into sewers with your friends (as I did). Have fun—you’re still a teenager, and it’s imperative that you build that “unc” (or aunt) lore for your future kids. While I’m not big on meditation—I fall asleep whenever I try it—I’ve found that taking a few minutes to breathe deeply and focus on the present helps me calm down when things get chaotic. When something makes you anxious or stressed—whether it’s an assignment, a toxic ex, or a looming deadline on a project you should’ve started three weeks ago—step back. Leave the room, take a walk and breathe. This will keep you from crashing or making impulsive decisions. Building a Support System Having a solid support system has been key for me. Over the past two years, I’ve learned that some people will actively root for your downfall and take steps to make it happen. But I’ve also found real friends—the ones I’m still close with today. As a wise man once said, “Are you surrounding yourself with people who throw wood on your fire or those who throw piss on it?” Surround yourself with people who share your goals and genuinely enjoy your company. They are the only ones you need; anyone else is a detriment to your mental health and success. Trust your gut when it comes to the people around you—it rarely lies. Who knows? You may even find your special someone along the way. Seeking Professional Help I came into college thinking I had it all figured out, as if I didn’t need support or guidance (famous last words). Therapy is an important resource and never hurts to try if the need arises. While therapy depends on your insurance, the University of New Haven offers Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), which is accessible by appointment or walk-in. I currently see a therapist, and he has given me a fresh perspective and valuable advice on many of the problems I face day to day. If you’re considering off-campus therapy, make sure your insurance covers it—otherwise, you could end up paying hundreds of dollars out of pocket. Conclusion I’m not perfect, nor will I claim to have mastered every strategy I’ve mentioned. No one has it all figured out, and no one ever will. College is a first-time experience for most, and every journey is different. It’s important to remember that the steps described by anyone—including me—don’t have to be followed to the letter. Remember this: You’re still a kid. You have so much growing to do. Mistakes will be made, but it’s up to you whether you learn and grow from them or not. Photo by Madison Inouye