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
The Pompea College of Business’ third annual Smerd Pitch Competition showcased student innovation and collaboration, inspiring creativity and transformative ideas.
November 26, 2024
The Smerd Pitch Competition's an annual competition for aspiring entrepreneurs at the University of New Haven, bringing together students to pitch to a panel of industry experts. For Judith O. Atalor ‘25 MBA and Mary O. Kakulu ‘25 MBA, this year’s first-place winners, the experience was transformative, sparking new possibilities for their startup ToGen.
“When we came to the U.S. as international students, we realized how much there was to learn about the financial system here,” said Atalor. “Unfortunately, some students we knew made costly mistakes. That inspired us to create a platform that simplifies financial wellness for international students, tailored to their unique needs.”
Their pitch, focused on financial education, resonated with the judges for its clarity and potential impact. “Winning the competition wasn’t just a validation of our idea; it was a step forward in making ToGen a reality,” Kakulu explained.
The SMERD competition, now in its third year, also emphasized collaboration and mentorship.
“One of the standout moments was seeing last year’s winner, Tomiloba Shokunbi ‘23 MBA, mentoring this year’s participants,” said Vasiliki Kosmidou, Ph.D., Smerd Family Associate Professor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Pompea College of Business and the competition’s lead organizer. “It created a peer-to-peer connection that perfectly embodies the spirit of Smerd Competition.”
Preparation for the Smerd Pitch Competition is rigorous. Students participated in five workshops led by faculty and industry professionals, focusing on skills such as competitive analysis, marketing, and financial planning. For Atalor and Kakulu, these sessions were instrumental in refining their pitch.
“Consistent practice is key,” said Kakulu. “The workshops gave us a framework to present our ideas clearly, and the feedback we received helped us develop a compelling narrative.”
Dr. Kosmidou praised this year’s participants for their adaptability. “During the grand finals, judges asked challenging questions,” she said. Instead of faltering, teams pivoted on the spot, demonstrating resilience and creativity—qualities critical for entrepreneurial success.”
Chiamaka O. John ‘25 MBA, the second-place winner and crowd favorite with Wenigro Power, shared a similar sentiment. “Balancing technical details with simplicity was challenging,” said John. “We had to refine our pitch to resonate with a broad audience, which taught us the importance of clear communication.”
This adaptability was a highlight for both students and mentors. “Seeing students take feedback and improve in real-time was incredibly inspiring,” Dr. Kosmidou said.
The winning teams stood out for their clairty, preparation, and storytelling. Judges were impressed with their clear go-to-market strategies and their ability to communicate value effectively.
For Atalor and Kakulu, the most memorable moment was hearing their business name announced as the winner. “It was surreal,” said Atalor. “The journey from brainstorming to pitching in the finals taught us so much about resilience and teamwork.”
John, whose pitch focused on smarter energy management, highlighted the power of mentorship and collaboration. “The Entrepreneurship Club and Professor Kosmidou were instrumental in refining our presentation,” she said. Their encouragement gave us the confidence to share our vision.”
Dr. Kosmidou emphasized the long-term benefits of the competition. “It’s not just about winning,” she said. “It’s about building skills such as communication, networking, and the ability to adapt—skills that will serve students in their entrepreneurial careers.”
For ToGen, the next step is developing a fully operational platform to support incoming international students. “We believe ToGen can be an invaluable tool,” said Kakulu. “We’re excited to make it a reality.”
John plans to continue developing Wenigro Power’s energy solutions. “This is just the beginning,” she said. “The competition validated our ideas and gave us the tools to move forward.”
Reflecting on the competition’s impact, Dr. Kosmidou said, “I am incredibly proud of our students. Their hard work and determination show that the entrepreneurial spirit is thriving at the University of New Haven.”
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.