Class of 2030 Embarks on New Academic Year, Finds Community and Connection in Charger Nation

Excitement, energy, and a sense of anticipation for what's to come filled the David A. Beckerman Recreation Center during the annual Convocation program for our newest Chargers.

A few days before classes began, first-year and transfer students participated in Charge In, which included a series of information sessions and workshops, the annual class photo, the first-year march, and Convocation, a signature University tradition that marks the beginning of our students' academic journey, bringing together new students, faculty, and staff to affirm our shared commitment to cultivating academic excellence, a sense of belonging, and a supportive community.

This year's theme, "You Belong, You Matter, You Can Thrive," reminded students that they've joined a community built on connection and support, where their voices and experiences have great value.

"College will challenge you; we will challenge you," said Dean of Students Ophelie Rowe-Allen, Ph.D. "But it will also shape you, strengthen you, and open doors that you may not have imagined. With support, effort, and connection, you will grow here and become your very best self."

Sarah Shultz, Ph.D., dean of the School of Health Sciences, was the keynote speaker at this year's Convocation. She shared a list of what she called her operational hacks for our newest Chargers ahead of the fall semester.

Right off the bat, Dean Shultz shared that the students were not alone in feeling a sense of nervousness. While students are starting a new, unfamiliar journey, Shultz shared that she too was feeling nervous standing up on a stage in front of them with no notes and no script to go off.

This led to the first hack – Give yourself the power to choose how you feel.

"Give yourself the power to say, 'this is exciting; let's go'," she said. "Lean into it as excitement. Empower yourself to make that choice."

Her next hack encouraged students to broaden their palate, especially since the University offers a diverse range of cuisine on campus.

"You're in charge of your nutrition now," she reminded them. "Don't have a cheeseburger every day. Don't just have a slice of pizza for dinner. Don't eat the same salad for the entire semester."

Shultz's motivating list of hacks continued, inspiring students to acknowledge our campus community helpers, to go to office hours, to read notes not only during study times, but also during more relaxing moments, and to "call your person."

While Shultz entered her role as Dean of the School of Health Sciences nearly six months ago, she said she didn't grow up wanting to become a Dean.

She said at first she wanted to be a physical therapist, which then changed to being an athletic trainer. Then she wanted to be a professor.

"Where you are four years from now may mean that you don't start at the place you are right now, and that's okay," she said.

This generation, Dean Shultz said, has been told that they are amazing, which can also come with a lot of pressure.

In an effort to ease some of that, she added a few clarifiers, saying, "You are amazing, but you are not perfect. You are amazing, but you are going to say and do things that are not amazing at all. You are amazing, but you may not be the most amazing person in the room."

She reminded the students that they have the potential to be amazing, to recognize the "not so amazingness," and to learn and grow from it.

"You are amazing not for what you achieve or do. You are amazing for who you are trying to become," Dean Shultz said.

Members of the Class of 2030 also heard from Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA) President Austin DiPasquale '27, who joined fellow of the USGA executive board to share not only words of encouragement, but also information about the multitude of resources that are available for support at the University.

He also gave the students an "assignment," urging them to get involved on campus and meet people, and to connect with him on social media to share how they did.

"You are about to embark on some of the more important years of your life," DiPasquale said. "Over the next few years, many of you will throw yourselves into academics. Some of you will join student organizations. Others will compete in Charger athletics. But more important than any class, any club, or any activity, every single one of you will have the opportunity to meet a person who will change the course of your life."

Students also heard from Charger Athletics Director Devin Crosby, who outlined the message behind Charger Athletics' commitment to "The Human Good," which, he said, means to treat people the way you want to be treated.

"That's how you fit into the institution here at the University of New Haven," Crosby said. "If you just treat people the way you want to be treated, that is the essence of human good."

Members of the Class of 2030 hail from 42 states and 20 countries. The incoming class will also witness many ongoing, forward-thinking projects and initiatives come to fruition, including the University's full transition to the NCAA Division I athletic membership, which will be achieved ahead of the 2028-29 academic year.

Additionally, this class saw the University launch the world's first U.S. international branch campus in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, representing a significant step in advancing the University's global presence. The Class of 2030 will also experience the continued development of The Elevation Center, as well as a new on-campus home for the Pompea College of Business.