Public Safety is tracking a significant snowfall that will be arriving in our area late Sunday morning (Jan. 25). It will snow heavily throughout the day and evening eventually tapering off Monday (Jan. 26) with 10-14 inches expected statewide. A sleet and freezing rain mix is also possible along the shore. Temperatures will be in the teens and twenties.
Due to this significant winter storm and the extensive campus clean-up operations that will need to take place, all in-person day and evening classes scheduled for Monday, January 26, 2026 have been cancelled. All scheduled in-person classes will transition to being held online or remotely. Additional information on the virtual format for each class will be provided by your instructor.
Faculty have been asked to prepare for Online or Remote sessions in the event of in-person meeting cancellations. These options will be determined by the Faculty member and all questions should be directed to the Faculty teaching each course section. Faculty also have been asked to be very understanding and accommodating of the individual situations of their students who may have difficulty managing these alternative online or remote class meetings on short notice.
Please note that only essential employees, as previously determined by their respective department leaders, should report to campus. All other employees should fulfill the requirements of their role remotely.
Campus operations for residential students, unless otherwise noted, will operate as scheduled, though hours may be modified or changed based on the conditions. Separate messages will be sent from the Peterson Library, the Beckerman Recreation Center, and Dining Services regarding any changes to their normal hours of operation. The Bergami Center for Science, Technology, and Innovation will remain open for residential students to use for study space and to participate in online classes.
Off-campus students that live in the City of West Haven should abide by the city’s parking ban during inclement weather to avoid having their vehicle tagged and towed. Please check the City of West Haven’s website for further information on their snow parking ban.
The Charger Blog
In a recent virtual panel discussion, four University of New Haven faculty members in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields shared their expertise with students in another area in which they are very familiar: pursuing education at the highest level.
May 7, 2020
As a graduate student, Angie Ambers, Ph.D. taught high school biology. After earning a master’s degree in forensic genetics – following an earlier advanced degree in criminology – she decided she wanted to pursue her doctorate.
After identifying her three schools of interest that offered the Ph.D. in molecular biology she was seeking, she researched the faculty members at each school. She used her interviews as opportunities to learn more about the programs.
“I asked faculty members how open they were to having Ph.D. students work with them and design their own experiments,” said Dr. Ambers, an associate professor of forensic science who serves as assistant director of the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science. “It was important to me to have some intellectual freedom in designing my career path.”
Dr. Ambers, who earned her doctorate from the University of North Texas, reflected on her experience of choosing a Ph.D. program, and looked back at her time as a doctoral student, as part of a recent virtual panel discussion sponsored by Graduate Student Services.
The program brought together faculty members in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields on Zoom, enabling them to share their experiences – and advice – with students considering pursuing a Ph.D.
Faculty members endeavored to clarify some of the misconceptions associated with pursuing a Ph.D., including the belief that those who earn their doctorate always had a clear idea of what they wanted to do.
That wasn’t the case for Carter Takacs, Ph.D., an assistant professor of biology, who hadn’t always planned to earn his doctorate in genetics. He discussed how his own path meandered, starting with his background in anthropology and a job collecting arrowheads.
With the support of a mentor, he delved into some science classes and learned how to conduct research. When he took a cell biology course, he realized he was passionate about biology and genetics.
“I let my curiosity pull me in the direction I wanted to go, and I didn’t follow a script,” said Dr. Takacs, who earned his Ph.D. from the Dartmouth Medical School. “It’s not about getting the A. It’s about answering questions and having discovery be your goal.”
Faculty members discussed the importance of maintaining a work/life balance as Ph.D. students, some of the biggest challenges they faced, and how to pay for school. They shared their advice, hoping to help students make the most of their own experiences.
Maria-Isabel Carnasciali, Ph.D., assistant provost for program assessment and effectiveness and an associate professor of mechanical engineering, encouraged students to do their research and learn as much as they could before beginning a doctorate program.
“When visiting schools, I didn’t just want to speak with faculty members, I also wanted to interview students in the lab,” said Dr. Carnasciali, who earned her doctorate at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “You’re spending a lot of time there, and the people and environment are important.”
Matt Caporale, executive director of the University’s Career Development Center, moderated the panel. He hopes it was a source of support and information for students considering pursuing a Ph.D.
“The panel was a great way for students to hear firsthand stories and advice from faculty on how to navigate the process,” he said. “I hope students came away with a sense of what a Ph.D. program entails, how to locate suitable programs, what the experience is like, and that there are resources at the University of New Haven to help them navigate their own journey.”
Faculty members discussed the flexibility they had when creating their schedules, the invaluable networking opportunities, and the career options available to those who earn a doctorate.
Karl Minges, Ph.D., who earned his doctorate at Yale University, said that about half of his colleagues in the program planned to enter academia. Originally interested in consulting, he ultimately decided to focus on research. He says the skills that doctoral students develop are very translatable to other career paths, and he encouraged students to make the most of their experience as Ph.D. candidates.
“I have some of my fondest memories from my time as a Ph.D. student,” said Dr. Minges, an assistant professor of health administration and policy. “The students in your cohort become your friends and colleagues. Take advantage of the opportunities to engage in clubs – maybe start your own. It’s your last chance to be a student.”
University News
New University-wide council will advance strategic partnerships, immersive student opportunities, and innovative research, supporting the University’s strategic plan the development of its pioneering Center for Innovation and Applied Technology.
The Charger Blog
Entrepreneur David Sussman, Pompea College of Business Advisory Board Member and chief visionary officer of The Family Security Plan®, is collaborating with University of New Haven students, faculty, and staff to create a program and app that helps Chargers support each other to achieve academic, personal, and professional goals. It’s called Uccountability.
University News
Vice President for Innovation and Applied Technology Paul Lavoie will serve on the Board of Directors and as America’s Chief Manufacturing Officer for the newly launched American Manufacturing Futures Institute.