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
With a combination of determination, networking, and diverse experiences, Thomas Portnoy ‘25 has secured his dream job, and he is gearing up for a promising career in finance.
January 13, 2025
When Thomas Portnoy ’25 received a phone call on a sunny day at the beach, it wasn’t just any call - it was an offer for what he described as his dream job. Portnoy is completing his degree this fall – a semester early – and will receive a Bachelor of Science in Finance with two minors in Marketing and Professional Sales. He recently accepted the role of risk and financial analyst at Deloitte, a leading firm providing audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax and related services, in its government and public sector. For Portnoy, the opportunity marks the culmination of years of hard work, internships, and mentorship opportunities.
“I will be based in their Rosslyn office in Virginia, working in the government and public sector,” Portnoy shared. “Moving to Virginia is exciting. I’m originally from Queens, New York, so it’s a big change. I also love the idea of working in the public sector—it’s such a unique and impactful area.”
Although the job officially starts in the summer of 2025, Portnoy is already thinking ahead. With the flexibility of choosing his start date, he plans to use the time after completing his degree to travel, finish his work with the Gaia Initiative and continue to develop his network.
“Getting that call was such a surreal moment,” Portnoy said. “It felt like all the hard work, all the long nights, paid off.”
Portnoy emphasized the importance of taking on diverse opportunities, from internships to academic projects. One of his first major experiences was an internship with AGE Solutions, an IT company in Virginia. “That internship helped me figure out that I wanted to be in this sector and gave me a head start providing me security clearance,” he said. “I got to travel to client sites, work on audits, and tackle project tasks that really prepared me for what’s ahead.”
Another defining experience was his summer internship at Ponce Bank, where he gained hands-on exposure to investor relations and commercial banking. “I worked on quarterly financial reports, the annual ESG report, and even worked with the CFO to create the annual investor presentation,” he shared. “Those moments taught me the ins and outs of the industry.”
Portnoy also credited his involvement in student organizations and academic projects with helping him develop crucial skills. “I did pitch competitions, networking events in New Haven, and even guest lectured at a local high school while studying abroad in Italy,” he said. “All of those experiences added depth to my resume and helped me grow personally and professionally.”
He encouraged other students to adopt a similar mindset. “Always say ‘yes’ to everything,” Portnoy advised. “Even if it seems tedious at first, every experience adds up and shapes your path forward.”
Portnoy mentioned his thankfulness for the support and mentorship he received from the Charger community. “The University helped me make connections that I hope will be crucial to my career,” he said. “Whether it was professors or University leaders, the resources were there to help me build a strong foundation.”
Among the mentors who shaped his journey, Portnoy highlighted several professors and programs. “Michael Driscoll, ASMET, BSMET, EMBA taught my first entrepreneurship class, and John Rosen MBA, who works with NewTechHaven, opened so many doors,” Portnoy said. “I also gained valuable experience through the Gaia Initiative with David Sacco, MBA and Professor Jared Sheffield.”
His relationship outside the University has allowed Portnoy to secure internships, grow his network, and gain Department of Defense clearance – one of the many factors that landed him this role at Deloitte. “The personal contacts I’ve made at networking events in New Haven and New York City have helped set me apart,” he shared. “They gave me the edge to succeed in a competitive field.”
He also stressed the importance of networking. “I had conversations with people from so many organizations,” he said. “Even if a job didn’t come from those interactions, building those relationships helped me grow and opened doors for the future.”
Now, as he prepares to launch his career, Portnoy is focused on continuing that momentum. “My goal is to keep asking questions, learning, and being a resource to my team,” he said. “Deloitte is a place where you’re not just another co-worker—you’re part of a community that values growth and collaboration.”
For Portnoy, this mindset is what drives him. “I’m a big go-getter,” he said. “I don’t just sit back; I actively seek out opportunities to learn and improve. That’s what got me here, and I know it will carry me forward.”
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.