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
Selected for a prestigious national fellowship, Mehdi Mekni, Ph.D., is leading efforts to transform computer science education through industry partnerships, stackable credentials, and workforce-driven learning.
April 18, 2025
Mehdi Mekni, Ph.D. spent 15 years working in industry before stepping into a classroom as a professor of computer science, creating a wealth of experiences that shaped the way he sees both education and innovation today.
“I never thought my Ph.D. would be used for academia,” Dr. Mekni reflected. “I thought it would give me the depth and knowledge I needed for a career in the private sector.”
It’s because of his views on connecting academia and industry that led Dr. Mekni to receive an Innovation Fellowship from the Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF). As one of just 28 faculty nationwide — and the first from the University of New Haven to be selected — Dr. Mekni is working alongside industry leaders and higher ed changemakers to build a future where students combine classroom learning with practical experiences, building the career-ready skills they need to excel.
When Dr. Mekni applied for the BHEF Innovation Fellowship, he did so with the encouragement and sponsorship of Tagliatela College of Engineering Dean Ron Harichandran, Ph.D. — a gesture that highlights the University’s commitment to bridging academic learning and industry needs, also a central focus of President Frederiksen.
“Receiving the fellowship is a nice recognition of my efforts on workforce development and the integration of industry-recognized credentials, curricular pathways, and traditional diplomas,” he said. “It’s about offering students the best of both worlds.”
Dr. Mekni’s commitment to blending industry and academia partially grew out of a project he launched in 2023, funded by the Connecticut Tech Talent Accelerator (CT TTA). That initiative led to a partnership with Unity Technologies, one of the world’s largest game-engine service providers, enabling University of New Haven students to earn industry-recognized certifications alongside their bachelor’s degrees.
“A student who graduates with a computer science degree in game development but has no experience — it’s usually a very risky asset for employers,” he explained. “Employers tend to go after candidates with some experience, a small portfolio, and credentials. I didn’t want my students to pay that price.”
Thanks to the partnership, more than 20 students graduated not only with their degrees, but also with certifications from Unity — a combination that gave them a competitive edge in a fast-moving job market.
“I believe students shouldn’t have to select one or the other,” Dr. Mekni said. “Industry and academia need to start working closely together to develop the skills the workforce needs to sustain economic development, locally and nationally.”
As part of the BHEF Innovation Fellowship, Dr. Mekni is expanding his vision beyond game design. His current project focuses on embedding stackable microcredentials into the University’s programs, particularly in fields such as gaming, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity — areas he calls the “pillars” of computer science and software engineering.
“It’s about creating programs that are flexible and relevant. I want our traditional students to graduate with a degree and a portfolio of credentials that set them apart, but I also want to reach adult learners — people who don’t have the time or resources for a full degree but still want to reskill or upskill.” Mehdi Mekni, Ph.D.
The fellowship includes workshops and training sessions with business leaders, fellow faculty innovators, and higher ed experts. From San Diego to Washington D.C., Dr. Mekni has been learning strategies for leading transformational change — skills he says his technical background never taught him.
“They’re preparing you for the leadership and innovation side of a project: communication, alliances, momentum, and solving challenges,” he said.
For Dr. Mekni, the lessons he’s bringing back from the fellowship all lead to one simple message: learning doesn’t end when the semester does. “In technology, you sleep and wake up the next day and there are new things to learn. It’s a dynamic, global ecosystem.”
Continuous learning and practical experience, he believes, is what will ultimately prepare students for careers beyond the classroom — whether they’re heading into game design, AI, cybersecurity, or industries that haven’t even been invented yet.
“My goal is for students to hit the ground running,” Dr. Mekni said. “And I want them to do it with confidence.”
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.