The Charger Blog

Co-Curricular Opportunities Helped Transfer Student Find Her Home

Taryn Finnell ’19, a dental hygiene major, says the support of her advisers and the many opportunities to get involved helped ease her transition to the University of New Haven.

November 21, 2018

By Dave Cranshaw, Office of Marketing & Communications

Image of Taryn Finnell ’19
Taryn Finnell ’19, a dental hygiene major

Taryn Finnell ’19 concedes that transferring schools can be nerve-wracking experience.

Taryn Finnell ’19

"I was initially nervous to attend a new college but the University eased my transition and made me feel comfortable here as a student by introducing me to academic and co-curricular opportunities," she says. "The support from my advisers enabled me to find my place here."

Since joining Charger Nation, she’s joined the University’s dance team, became an ambassador for the School of Health Sciences, and was elected the secretary of her class of dental hygiene majors.

"There is something for everyone to get involved in," she says. "These opportunities have introduced me to so many great people and made the years I have spent here all the more special.

"My most memorable memories range from performing at halftime of the football games with my dance team teammates to learning new clinical skills with my friends," she continues. "The memories I’ve made with my friends are ones that I will definitely miss when I graduate from the University next year."

"These experiences in patient care help me feel confident in knowing that I will succeed in the future."Taryn Finnell ’19

Beyond the close-knit community and co-curricular opportunities, Finnell said the deciding factor to becoming a Charger was the University’s dental hygiene program. She has gained real-world experience working in the University’s dental center and through outside clinical rotations.

"These experiences in patient care help me feel confident in knowing that I will succeed in the future," she says.