University of New Haven Honors Group of Exemplary Students for Dedication to Academic Excellence and Service

The University of New Haven is proud to recognize the 2025–2026 John D. Hatfield Scholars, an exceptional group of Honors students recognized for their academic strength, leadership, and commitment to serving the community. Made possible through the generosity of the Bartels family, the Hatfield Scholars Program continues to reflect the legacy of Dr. John D. Hatfield, University’s first executive vice president, provost, and chief operating officer, legacy supporting students who strive to create meaningful change.

This year’s scholars represent a wide range of interests and achievements, from scientific research to community service. Below, they share what being named a Hatfield Scholar means to them.

I am incredibly grateful to have the honor of being named a Hatfield Scholar. The Hatfield Scholarship provides an intentional and meaningful opportunity for student recognition. This scholarship has served as an acknowledgement of the hard work I put in both inside and outside the classroom, motivating me to continue to put my best foot forward.

I am incredibly proud to have served as the President of the Honors Undergraduate Student Council, the Co-President of Chariot Yearbook, and as a Resident Assistant for the Psychology Enhanced Learning Community and the Honors Living Learning Community. In my remaining time here at the University, I hope to continue to serve as a mentor and source of support for students and to further the community service efforts of my Recognized Student Organizations.

I have completed two Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships and am currently working on my honors thesis and an independent study. I am a psychology major currently applying to graduate school in pursuit of a master's in social work degree followed by a doctorate in clinical psychology.

As I further my education and career, I hope to first work as a social worker, focusing on child advocacy, abuse investigation, or victim services. After completing my education, I hope to work as a researcher, therapist, advocate, and professor advising student research. Thank you for your time spent reading this and do not forget that any small effort to support or even say hi to someone can change their whole world!

When I learned that I had been selected to be a Hatfield Scholar, I was overcome with pride and joy. I was proud that this incredible award was highlighting my love for service and academics. Being a Hatfield Scholar has given me the opportunity to connect with numerous important figures at this University. I would love to thank Mr. Philip Bartels ’11 Hon. and Mrs. Susan Bartels for their generous donations and the opportunity to speak with them. Additionally, I was able to speak with President Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D. and a number of administrators.

I am proud to say I’ve achieved numerous accomplishments during my time here. In the academic space, I’ve grown in my presentation skills. I took a course on organized crime with Declan Hill, D.Phil.. This course ended with a 10-page paper and a 30-minute presentation on the Medellin Cartel. I am proud looking back, knowing that I confidently presented in front of my class and several professionals who had been invited to attend.

Outside of my academics, I’ve grown my leadership skills and been able to create community service opportunities on campus. As vice president of service for Alpha Phi Omega, I have created and hosted numerous large service projects that had high attendance. Those events allowed me to connect students with easy community service opportunities. As the current president of this amazing service fraternity, I hope to grow our reach and continue to provide service on campus and in our community.

I have always had a strong interest in criminal behavior. I am fascinated by the motivation behind serial criminals and how psychological and criminological theories explain their behavior. I also have a strong interest in conducting research. I knew that a big part of the Honors Program is completing a thesis during my undergraduate program. This was an amazing opportunity to dive into this interest.

My career goal is to work as a criminal profiler with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I have always had a deep passion for behavioral analysis and criminal-investigative analysis. I want to know why serial criminals behave as they do. In the immediate future, I plan to pursue a master's degree in forensic psychology and engage in research on serial sexual murderers.

I have tried to embody the spirit of kindness and community (fundamental to Hatfield scholars) in my role as Women in Business club president. Since my appointment to the role in my second year, I have used community as the foundation for all initiatives the club pursues. Each event I assist in planning, each team meeting I facilitate, each interaction with members, and each conversation with professional guests all revolve around the community of students involved in the organization. Connection to and support of the greater New Haven community is also a driving factor in why I continue to work diligently through the Women in Business club. We strive to connect talented students with local opportunities to develop their skills and assist in empowering them to succeed. Seeing young professionals find their voice and take on rewarding projects inspires me to continue supporting their growth and nurture the sprouts of success.

This scholarship has allowed me to continue serving in this position, as well as other leadership roles around campus, and this has renewed my commitment to continuing to better the New Haven community. Through this gift, my family can more easily afford my education and use this new flexibility to ensure the education of my three younger siblings as well. I am honored to join the ranks of endlessly kind and impressive past and future Hatfield Scholars, and I am humbled to have the privilege of adding my contributions to their body of work. I hope to continue this mission of kindness through entering the nonprofit and/or small business sector for my next internship and, hopefully, continuing down this path in my career.

To me, being a Hatfield Scholar is a recognition that my hard work both inside and outside the classroom is recognized by more than my professors and my loved ones. Celebrating with my peers and realizing our accomplishments in research and our personal lives was an eye-opening experience. I am grateful for the support we receive from each other, our faculty, and our families. The scholarship has helped me be able to continue to live on campus in my junior year, enabling me to be close to the club I have created as well as campus life. It has also allowed me to adjust my college experience, graduating a semester early and continuing to do what I love.

At the University of New Haven, I am most proud of my involvement with the Inkwell Poets Society, an organization I created my first year and have since served as the President. Some of my closest friends and I worked together to build this organization from the ground up, bringing poetry to the campus community. Other than poetry, my main academic interest lies in the fields of immunology and immunohematology, otherwise known as blood bank. After graduating I wish to become a medical laboratory scientist within the Blood Bank and eventually return to graduate school and work in academia. I also aim to complete research similar to that of my Honors Thesis to ensure that individuals receiving transfusions are protected from adverse side effects. I am beyond grateful for this title and every responsibility that comes with it.

Being a Hatfield Scholar is one of the most meaningful honors of my academic journey. As an international student from Iran, this recognition represents more than academic achievement. It symbolizes belonging, perseverance, and the opportunity to contribute to a community that values knowledge and service. It reminds me that my efforts extend beyond the classroom and can inspire meaningful change.

The Hatfield Scholarship has provided tremendous support, offering financial relief that allows me to focus wholeheartedly on my studies in biochemistry. It has also opened doors to mentorship and leadership opportunities, motivating me to pursue excellence while remaining grounded in compassion and purpose.

One of my proudest accomplishments at the University of New Haven was having my proposal accepted for the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF). This opportunity allowed me to explore scientific research in depth and reinforced my passion for discovery and problem-solving. It was a moment that validated my dedication to both academic growth and real-world impact.

Looking ahead, I aspire to continue my education in biomedical research, with the goal of developing innovative treatments that improve people’s health and quality of life. The Hatfield Scholarship has strengthened my confidence and sense of direction, reminding me that curiosity, integrity, and perseverance can transform challenges into opportunities for meaningful contribution.

As an international student from Jamica and a member of the Honors Program, I am a proud recipient of the Hatfield scholarship. This scholarship holds special significance as not only does it recognize my achievement, but it’s also a contribution to my tuition. The spirit in which the award is given inspires me to not only strive for academic excellence but to continue to contribute to society through service and leadership.

My journey at the University of New Haven has been filled with growth and some proud moments. One of my proudest is being named the 2025 recipient of the Forensic Science Department’s Rising Star Award, which recognized my academic achievement as well as my commitment and potential within the field of forensic science. This has deepened my resolve to continue my involvement in campus projects and student life and to maintain the place I have consistently earned on the Dean’s list.

Upon completing my bachelor’s degree, I intend to continue in the 4+1 program to earn my master’s degree in chemistry within one year. Following that, I aspire to pursue a Ph.D. in a sub area of forensic science, focusing my research and expertise on a specialization that aligns with both my interests and the needs of the field. Another proud moment for me is being part of the executive team of the Honors Student Council, where I helped to raise funds for the Milford Rape Crisis Center and supported the many outreach initiatives we conduct each month. Playing a role in initiatives that strengthen our community is very important and fulfilling.

As part of my career development, I hope to gain practical experience through internships/involvement in forensic science organizations. Ultimately, my goal is to help advance and modernize forensic science practices in the Caribbean. By bringing together specialized training, research, and field experience, I hope to contribute to building stronger scientific frameworks that support justice and innovation in the region.

I am a prolific writer with a strong orientation for service/volunteerism. These interests combined with my love for science and passion for fairness and justice have significantly shaped who am I and the person I aspire to be.