Charger 360

Charger 360 is the official video podcast of the University of New Haven. Each episode features guests from across the University with the goal of, as the show's name implies, giving you a 360-degree view of the amazing things going on in Charger Nation. From academics, to athletics, to student life, and beyond, we cover it all... and have some fun in the process.

Latest Episode

Season 4, Episode 12: Ashton Gleed ’27

Ashton Gleed ’27, the station manager at WNHU and a graphic and digital design major, shares his journey to a student leadership position with the University’s award-winning radio station. He learned about the radio station at the Involvement Fair at the beginning of his first year when, he says, he didn’t know if college was for him. He remembers thinking at the end of his first meeting with the WNHU team that, “This can be a place for me. I have not looked back.” He also talked about revamping the WNHU.org website and creating Open Studios night, taking place weekly on Thursday evenings from 7 to 8:30 p.m., when students are invited to learn more about the station and even get on the air. “I want to give people the same exact experience I got to have.”

All Episodes

Charger 360 - Season 4, Episode 12: Ashton Gleed ’27

Ashton Gleed ’27, the station manager at WNHU and a graphic and digital design major, shares his journey to a student leadership position with the University’s award-winning radio station. He learned about the radio station at the Involvement Fair at the beginning of his first year when, he says, he didn’t know if college was for him. He remembers thinking at the end of his first meeting with the WNHU team that, “This can be a place for me. I have not looked back.” He also talked about revamping the WNHU.org website and creating Open Studios night, taking place weekly on Thursday evenings from 7 to 8:30 p.m., when students are invited to learn more about the station and even get on the air. “I want to give people the same exact experience I got to have.”

Charger 360 - Season 4, Episode 11: Robin Salters

Robin Salters ’91, director or organizational engagement & service delivery in the Office of Human Resources, discusses her work as the University’s Title IX Coordinator. She also reflected on joining the University as a student-athlete, nearly 40 years ago, as well leading the Chargers volleyball team for 25 years. Under her guidance, the team reached the NCAA Division II tournament 23 times, compiling 661 wins, as she became the winningest coach in program history. “I had a lot of great players,” she said. “It was a family atmosphere that we created. This is my 32nd year of employment at the University, and I am a proud alum. It has been an incredible ride, and I am excited to see what the future brings.”

Charger 360 - Season 4, Episode 10: Greg Overend

Greg Overend, executive director of the Center for Student Engagement, Leadership, and Orientation, looks back on his 23 years at the University, saying his first day as a Charger, “still feels like it was yesterday.” He talked about the impact of his work leading the Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) program as well as CSELO’s charge of creating involvement and engagement opportunities for students outside of the classroom, ranging from recognized student organizations, service activities, and leadership development opportunities to campus-wide events such as Family Day, Spring Weekend, and Welcome Week, among others. “There are a lot of opportunities for students to get engaged,” he said. “Make the most out of them.” He also shared why it has been important to be a long-time leader of the University’s United Way campaign.

Charger 360 - Season 4, Episode 9: Brian Kench

Brian Kench, dean of the Pompea College of Business, began his appearance on Charger 360 reflecting on a trip 30 years ago when he spent 10 days on a 72-foot boat crabbing in the North Atlantic rolling seas.  “Whenever I think of hard work or difficult jobs, this is my reference point.” As dean, he said his primary focus is on enrollment growth, graduate outcomes, faculty recruitment, and program development, including being at the forefront of creating STEM-designated business programs. He talked about the plans for the new on-campus home for the Pompea College that is scheduled to break ground in June. He also  highlighted the impact of internships (which will be required for all business majors beginning in Fall 2026), the Pompea Business Plan Expo for first-year students, the Gaia Initiative (a student-run portfolio with $800,000 under management) and the College’s fast track program (earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in four years), calling it one of the most “remarkable examples of return on investment that’s provided at the University of New Haven.”

Charger 360 - Season 4, Episode 8: Walker Fuchs

Walker Fuchs, shares how after 10 years of conducting cancer research that volunteering at MakeHaven in New Haven, driven by his love of workworking, ultimately led to him transitioning his career to becoming a director of technology and makerspace for a K-8 school, before joining the University. He discussed how people across the University use the Makerspace in the Bergami Center for Science, Technology, and Innovation for everything from arts and crafts to 3-D modeling and robotics. “We can make almost anything,” he said. He also shared his passion for creating informal learning spaces as well as running ultramarathons.

Charger 360 - Season 4, Episode 7: Vincent Tremulot-Blanchard ’25, ’26 MBA

Vincent Tremulot-Blanchard ’25, ’26 MBA shares his journey from his home country of France to the University. He reflected on his extensive involvement on campus, including being an RA – “It’s helped me become the person I am” – and the President of Entrepreneurship Club as well as serving as a graduate assistant for athletics and a content creator for the Office of Marketing and Communications – “It’s been an amazing opportunity. It’s been so much fun.” He also shared his Charger love connection story, as he is engaged to be married to well-known Charger alumna Kiana White '23, '24 M.S.

Charger 360 - Season 4, Episode 6: Don Fertman '76

Don Fertman ’76 reflects on being a “shy kid, squared” who joined a group of students that in 1973 launched WNHU, which has become an award-winning radio station. “It was the music that comforted me in my isolation,” he said. He talked about his 1970s new-wave rock band “The Crayons” writing a jingle for the Subway restaurant. That ultimately led to a 40-year career with the chain, culminating with him serving as chief development officer and two appearances on the hit reality show “Undercover Boss.” Today, he continues to host a weekly radio show on WHNU, he’s active with a nationwide organization that supports substance-abuse recovery, and he’s an adjunct professor in the Pompea College of Business, teaching a course he developed on franchising.

Charger 360 - Season 4, Episode 5: Mark Powell and Matt Chandler ’27

Interim Head Football Coach Mark Powell and Matt Chandler ’27, a wide receiver and co-captain, joined Charger 360 to talk about the team’s first year competing in Division I. Coach Powell talked about growing up in Connecticut, the advice he received from his grandfather Connecticut coaching legend Carm Cozza, and starting his coaching career at Yale, as well as his family’s cookie shop, saying, “All roads led to New Haven.” Chandler, a Florida native and exercise science major, talked about balancing the rigors of being a student-athlete and his own journey to the University of New Haven, including following in the footsteps of his brother Jack ’23, ’25 MBA, a former Chargers quarterback, and catching a pass from him last year. They also talked about the recruiting pitches they give and the team’s mantra of FAST: Family Always Stays Together.

Charger 360 - Season 4, Episode 4: Thom Hannum

Thom Hannum, an adjunct professor of music, joined Charger 360 to talk about his work with the Chargers Marching Band. An inductee of the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame, he has designed six or seven pairs of drumstick models, been involved with Pearl Drums for more than four decades, and won seven Drum Corps International World Championships. “I owe my entire professional career to being involved in drum and bugle corps,” he said. “It is very powerful when you have a group of young people that are committed to doing something together for the betterment of the whole.”

Charger 360 - Season 4, Episode 3: Rozina Jaser

Rozina Jaser, assistant professor of practice and course coordinator for biology for non-majors, looked back on her journey to the University, including becoming the youngest person (16 years old) ever selected to present research at the International Association for Dental Research. "I was dorking very young," she joked. She discussed her commitment to helping ensure students are "scientifically literate" and the innovative ways she uses to engage students in learning biology, including having them create podcasts and work in the University's makerspace. She also talked about creating a Whispered Thanks initiative, and her role as captain of the University’s team that participated the last two years in the annual Dragon Boat Regatta sponsored by the Canal Dock Boathouse.

Charger 360 - Season 4, Episode 2: President Jens Frederiksen

President Jens Frederiksen was welcomed back to Charger 360 to provide updates on some of the biggest developments over the last six months, including the transition to NCAA Division I for athletics; the ongoing development of the Center for Innovation and Applied Technology adjacent to campus to "super charge our commitment of understanding the intersection of industry and academia and the urgency around delivering a return on investment for our students"; the University’s growing international presence, highlighted by plans to become the first U.S. institution to open a branch campus in Saudi Arabia; and a transformational gift that will support the development of a new on-campus facility for the Pompea College of Business. "In many ways we are bucking the trend in almost every category," he said. "I have extraordinary trust in the leaders on this campus, and it is an absolute dream to come to work every day. This is an incredible institution that is so deeply needed to stand in the breach of what we face."

Charger 360 - Season 4, Episode 1: Devin Crosby

Athletic director Devin Crosby joined the season 4 premiere of Charger 360 to share his journey to the University, give an inside look into the motivation behind the decision for Charger athletics to move to NCAA Division I, and talk about the key donors playing a significant role in supporting the transition. He looked back on the first week of Division I competition in which women’s soccer hosted Brown in a match watched by 3,000 fans, and a bicycle kick goal by men’s soccer went viral, becoming a #1 top play on SportsCenter. He also explained why the ethos of Charger Athletics is built on one word: care.

Charger 360 - Season 3, Episode 20: Beatrice Glaviano '26

Beatrice Glaviano ’26, a nutrition sciences major, steps out from behind her laptop and in front of the Charger 360 cameras to talk about her role as a Charger Blogger, an opportunity that has become a way for her to “get to know myself through my writing and my audience.” She reflected on a long-held interest in writing, which she attributes to her mom, and her transition from a forensic science major to nutrition sciences that enabled her to bring her passion “up a notch, and immediately I fit in.” She also shared why it was important to her to write a blog post last year about having an eating disorder, and the resources she used on campus to support her recovery.

Charger 360 - Season 3, Episode 19: Lisa Wrubleski P’28

Lisa Wrubleski, director of development, planned and major gifts, talked about her work in University advancement, describing her role as a "philanthropic matchmaker," finding giving opportunities that align with donor interests to support the University. She also spoke about her work in planned giving, the importance of estate planning, and how Charger community members can use a free resource called FreeWill to assist with estate planning. In addition, she talked about her daughter, Madison ’28, a criminal justice major, saying "She really loves it here, and I love it for her. She is getting such a great experience. Our faculty really care about our students."

Charger 360 - Season 3, Episode 18: Thomas Maynard ’28 & Joss O'Heron ’28

Describing this episode as a "celebration what you can do right out of the gate as a first-year student," hosts Bruce Barber and J.W. Stewart spoke with Thomas Maynard ’28, a communication major, and an ESUMS grad, and Joss O’Heron ’28, an emergency management major. Thomas was hosting a show and producing a podcast soon after arriving on campus, and Joss is the only first-year student Barber has hired in a leadership position at WNHU. They both reflected on their journey to the University, the radio shows they host, and why it was important to them to get involved as a first-year student.

Charger 360 - Season 3, Episode 17: Michael Lawlor

Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice and acting associate dean of the Lee College, reflects back on his more than 30 years as a faculty member and his connection to the University that dates back to his time in high school. He also looked back on his time as a member of the Connecticut General Assembly, a recent award he received for his work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community, some of the classes he teaches, and what differentiates the Lee College. "There is something very special about this place," he said. "It is so interesting for me to work with young people because I feel very strongly about the criminal justice system."

Charger 360 - Season 3, Episode 16: Jason Kull '25

Jason Kull '25, a communication major and director of Charger 360 came out of the production room to be in front of the camera as a guest on the University's official video podcast. He talked about his podcast, "A Couple of Friends with No Class," that he's hosted since his first year as well as an independent study he is pursuing on podcasting. He also reflected on the impact of hands-on education, the state-of-the-art resources across the University that prepare students for career success, and his experience flying a drone.

Charger 360 - Season 3, Episode 15: President Jens Frederiksen

President Jens Frederiksen joined Charger 360 to look back on his first year as president, reflecting on some of the highlights, what motivates him, and why he is so passionate about the mission of the University and the impact it is making. "I think we are delivering value in ways that very few institutions can compete with," he said. "I absolutely love what I do, and I wouldn't change it for the world." As part of the wide-ranging conversation, he also talked about his commitment to connecting with students, particularly through his new accounts on Instagram and TikTok, and the songs on his current playlist, as well as his time as a professional athlete and how that motivates him today.

Charger 360 - Season 3, Episode 14: Baki Izzat

Baki Izzat '25 MBA, employer relations manager for the Career Development Center, reflected on her experiences as a first-generation college student and first-generation American, the impact that mentors had on her college experience, and her passion for helping students. “Everything I do revolves around college and career development,” she said. "I absolutely love the work that I do." College and career advice she has posted on her personal social media channels have enabled her to engage with more than one million people, generating 35,000 followers.

Charger 360 - Season 3, Episode 13: David Schroeder

David Schroeder, interim dean of the Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, reflected back on his career, going all the way back to his high school graduation when his name appeared with his fellow graduates in his hometown paper with his destination listed as "unknown". He looked back on beginning his career as a private investigator working for a company that, at the time, had the death penalty contract for the County of Orange and that led the Rodney King investigation against the city of Los Angeles and the LAPD, and how this work led him to a career in academia and teaching the next generation. "It changed everything for me in terms of my own self perception of what I wanted to do. Civil rights investigations became very central in my life."

Charger 360 - Season 3, Episode 12: Sebastian Trujillo Rodriguez

Sebastian Trujillo Rodriguez '25 MBA joined Charger 360 to talk about Màs Allà del Deporte, a podcast he created and co-hosts with several classmates for international student athletes. The show, which is recorded in the WNHU studio, has featured guests from across the globe. A former collegiate golfer at the Division I and Division II levels and a native of Colombia, Sebastian is a graduate assistant for the Chargers golf teams.

Charger 360 - Season 3, Episode 11: Ron Kuntze and Katelyn Beach

Katelyn Beach '25, a marketing major and president of the marketing club, and Ron Kuntze, marketing professor and director of the University's Nonprofit Institute, joined Charger 360 to talk about a project in Dr. Kuntze's social media marketing class in which Katelyn and some classmates are currently collaborating with WNHU, the University's award-winning radio station, to help maximize its social media reach. They also reflected on the impact of real-world, client-driven learning opportunities, a hallmark of the UNewHaven educational experience.

Charger 360 - Season 3, Episode 10: Michael Iliopoulos '25 M.S.

Described by the Charger 360 hosts as “the most interesting man in the world,” Michael Iliopoulos '25, a candidate in the University's graduate program in Cybersecurity & Networks and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, talked about his lifelong interest in television gameshows. Three years ago, he was a contestant on Wheel of Fortune, capping a more than decade-long pursuit to appear on the popular gameshow. It was the University's military-friendly reputation that attracted him to West Haven. As a Charger, he's interned at General Dynamics Electric Boat and Clorox, where he's already accepted a full-time position. He also shared his passion for thrill-seeking activities, including skydiving, bungee jumping, flying a stunt plane, completing an ultra-marathon, and racing a Lamborghini.

Charger 360 - Season 3, Episode 9: Darby Brown '25

Darby Brown '25, a forensic science major, sociology minor, president of the Undergraduate Student Government Association, and member of the cheerleading team, shares her interest in neuroscience and crime-show TV and how she combined those interests into a career path. She also discussed her involvement in the SOAR program as well as her journey in student leadership, her passion for advocating for students, and the near year and a half she has spent as president of the USGA.

Charger 360 - Season 3, Episode 8: Claire Glynn

Claire Glynn, professor of forensic science and director of the University's Graduate Certificate in Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG), joins Charger 360 to talk about her journey from Ireland to West Haven and what attracted her to the University. She discussed FIGG, describing it as an “incredibly new, novel, and very powerful tool” that was only introduce into criminal investigations about six years ago. She explained that she had been doing genetic genealogy as a hobby for more than 10 years, figuring out her own birth father after she was adopted, when, as a forensic DNA expert, she learned the role genetic genealogy played in ultimately identifying the "Golden State Killer," saying her two worlds collided immediately.

Charger 360 - Season 3, Episode 7: Chris Raffone & Valentinna Ferrarini '26

Chris Raffone, head coach of women's tennis, and Valentinna Ferrarini '26, the team's number 1 singles player and an international affairs major who hails from Brazil, joined Charger 360 to talk about women's tennis posting an undefeated record and capturing its first Northeast-10 Conference title in the program history. Valentina talked about her passion for tennis, her journey to West Haven, and having roommates from Paraguay and Japan and teammates hailing from seven countries. Raffone, a second-year head, said he had never been around a team that had "so much competitive passion."

Charger 360 - Season 3, Episode 4: Ron Harichandran

Ronald Harichandran Ph.D., dean of Tagliatela College of Engineering and vice provost for research, shares his passion for building things and taking things to a higher level. He reflected back on his 13 years at the University and his focus on raising the reputation of the Tagliatela College of Engineering ("lean, mean, and out to win!" he says) and the impact it is making on student outcomes. He also talked about the interdisciplinary nature of engineering and plans for the University to launch a new master's degree program in AI within the next year.

Charger 360 - Season 3, Episode 3: J.J. Dionisio '25

Stopping by Charger 360 this week is J.J. Dionisio '25, a music and sound recording major, who is serving as the station manager for WNHU, the University's award-winning radio station. He talked about how he got involved with the station, the roots of the show "The Kitchen Sink" he has hosted for the last several years, and the WNHU's "Alumni Mondays." He also reflected on the essence of college radio, which he says is based on freedom and discovery, and the global reach of WNHU through its Internet stream.

Charger 360 - Season 3, Episode 2: Jeff Hunt

Jeff Hunt, assistant director of the Center for Learning Resources, talks about his journey to the University of New Haven, which included growing up in the Pacific Northwest, teaching and serving as an administrator in South Korea, and pursuing a master's degree in New Mexico. He's traveled to 19 countries and 47 states. He outlined the services offered by the CLR, which has more than 10,000 visits annually and is the largest student employer on campus. The average GPA of students seeking support is 3.2. “When students are being pressed to grow, they should find classes hard. That is where they are going to find success.”

Charger 360 - Season 3, Episode 1: Nancy Savage

Nancy Savage, Ph.D., joined the season three premiere of Charger 360 to reflect on her journey to the University, her more than 20 years as a Charger, and being named provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. She discussed some ongoing initiatives related to retention, micro-credentials, and a new Life and Career Readiness Framework that is being developed in collaboration with Student Affairs. She also talked about her love for cooking (inspired by her mother), her favorite dishes to make, and her passion for baking holiday cookies.

Charger 360 - Season 2, Episode 17: David Ramirez '24 and Rob Holub '08, '09 MBA

David Ramirez '24, a sport management major and esports and gaming minor, and Rob Holub '08, '09 MBA, director of esports, joined Charger 360 to talk about the University being at the forefront of esports education and the opportunities available to esports student-athletes. David reflected on the opportunities he has had thanks to esports and gave an inside look to some in-game Call of Duty clips, while Rob talked discussed what led to the University creating academic opportunities in the growing fields of esports and gaming.

Charger 360 - Season 2, Episode 16: Joe Markowski '26

Joe Markowski '26, a communication major, Connecticut native, and host of The Nashville Sounds on WNHU, the University's award-winning student-run radio station, reflects on his relationship with his mentor Bruce Barber, his passion for restoring old cars, and his family's long connection to the University. "The University made it known that here it's family. The connections I have made... I don't think I could have made them anywhere else."

Charger 360 - Season 2, Episode 15: Shaily Menon

Shaily Menon, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, reflects on a conversation she had with her father as teenager growing up in India that helped lead to her career path. “I love higher education and learning so much, and I have stayed on college my whole life,” she said. She discussed how she engages others through the approach of distributed leadership, the role she played in helping to create the book “So you Want to be a Dean? Pathways to the Deanship,” and her passion for painting.

Charger 360 - Season 2, Episode 14: Marcus Harvin

Marcus Harvin '23 A.S., '25 joined Charger 360 to talk about his experience being one of the first graduates of an innovative program created through a collaboration between the University's Prison Education Program and the Yale Prison Education Initiative. He reflects on how he ended up in prison, the opportunities he had through his education, and the nonprofit he launched that he called a byproduct of his participation in the University's President's Public Service Fellowship program.

Charger 360 - Season 2, Episode 13: Mario Gaboury

Mario Gaboury, J.D., Ph.D., dean of the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, joined Charger 360 to talk about his family's connection to the University's West Haven campus that dates back 100 years. He also discussed how passionate Lee College students are about giving back and serving society, the Lee College faculty who bring a significant amount of real-world experience into the classroom, and the hands-on learning opportunities for students.

Charger 360 - Season 2, Episode 10: Joe Franco and Andy Billman

Joe Franco and Andy Billman, adjunct professors in the University's Communication, Film and Media Studies Department join Charger 360 to talk about the inspiration behind the documentary they are creating about Toad's Place, a well-known night club in New Haven that has been attracting famous performers for nearly 50 years – and the many University connections to the documentary and the iconic location. Prof. Franco helped with the launch of ESPN in 1979, spending more than 33 years at the network, and Prof. Billman was an award-winning producer at ESPN.

Charger 360 - Season 2, Episode 8: Gabi Garcia-Perez

Gabi Garcia-Perez '23, '24 M.S., a native of nearby Guilford, Conn., talks about her journey as a Charger. She reflects on being a member of the women's soccer team; her undergraduate studies and her experiences in the M.S. in Finance program; and hosting a show on WNHU 88.7 FM, as well as her involvement in the Women in Business Club, the Incendio Dance Project, and much more. (Oh, and she's one of the faces of the University's new Power On brand campaign, too!)

Charger 360

Season 1, Episode 2: Lisa Dadio and Police De-escalation

Charger 360's first season continues as we speak with Lisa Dadio, M.S., MSW, a senior lecturer in criminal justice, assistant dean of the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, and the Director of the University's Center for Advanced Policing. The Center for Advanced Policing recently received a $1 million grant to become one of only six regional de-escalation training centers across the country that provides law enforcement training that is approved by the Department of Justice.

 

About Charger 360

Charger 360 is filmed in the Bergami Center for Science, Technology, and Innovation and produced by University students and staff. Charger 360 is hosted by Bruce Barber and J.W. Stewart. We hope you enjoy watching Charger 360, and we welcome your feedback. Click here to write to us!

All topics discussed on Charger 360 are accurate at the time of recording, but are subject to change.