FALL 2021 EDITION

From the President:

Welcome Back to Campus

Dear Purple Knights Alumni,

As we begin the fall semester and I start my first semester as president of the University of Bridgeport, I want to thank all of you for your dedication to UB and our students. The past year and a half have been extremely challenging — from the constraints caused by the pandemic to navigating the accreditation process as part of the acquisition by Goodwin University. I am grateful to those of you who have reached out over the past three months. Your support is incredibly important to me.

In many ways, this semester marks a fresh start and a new era for UB and the legacy of the Purple Knights. There are so many good things happening on campus — from the UB Student Entrepreneur Center helping students go from startup to success, to health sciences students and faculty who continue to provide outstanding healthcare, to the recent $1.5 million federal grant awarded to our Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program.

There's also plenty to celebrate on the courts and fields as our athletic teams return to action. I hope that you will consider showing your Purple Knights pride and join us for a game, as well as mark your calendars for Homecoming 2021 on Saturday, October 23.

I look forward to welcoming you all to campus and having the opportunity to meet you.

Sincerely,

Danielle

Danielle Wilken Ed.D.
President
University of Bridgeport

Alumni Spotlight

Suschna Scott '10

Why did you decide to study at UB?
Being the oldest and the first-generation college student in my family, going to college was important to me, but I wasn’t ready to leave home and move out of state. I talked to my guidance counselor in high school and told him about my passion for fashion. From there, I knew UB was right for me because they had a fashion merchandising program, close to home, close to New York, and the opportunity to transfer my part-time job. Having everything fall in place gave me the confidence to tell my parents this was the next step towards my continuation of higher education.

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Donor Spotlight

Dr. Andrew Francella and Mrs. Ximena Francella, P'21

For Andrew and Ximena Francella P'21, the best part of their son Andrew's attending the University of Bridgeport "is how the school inspires a drive for success with a sense of purpose." Andrew is a Class of '21 marketing major, who will now be continuing on to earn his master's degree in Analytics and Systems.

"There are so many things about UB that are attractive to both parents and students," Ximena said. "Right away we saw so many opportunities here for our son to learn [and to pursue] his love of baseball. Also, UB has a spirit of philanthropy and giving back that I believe is so essential for young students to embrace as they strive to become the leaders of tomorrow."

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Students in the Heckman Center

Career Challenges Our Students Face… and How Alumni Can Help!

It’s no surprise that the pandemic dramatically changed the ways in which our students interact with future employers; as travel budgets were cut, hiring freezes put in place, and internship offers rescinded, many students were left wondering how they would connect with the companies that had opportunities to offer. For learners across campus, traditional avenues of employer engagement (classroom visits, on-campus interviews, career fairs) disappeared and have yet to make a comeback. This left many Purple Knights anxiously seeking ways to learn about the variety of companies and opportunities that await after graduation.

To assist them, the Career Development Office has been conducting outreach to alumni across all three schools at UB to identify those whose companies are actively hiring and interested in engaging with UB students. As a result, alumni and students have enjoyed the opportunity to (virtually) connect and learn from each other about industry trends, skill building, and job searching. Several alumni have already connected with the University in order to recruit students and re-engage Purple Knights; this is the true definition of fostering life-long connections with your university!

University of Bridgeport alumni are in a unique position to advocate for their alma mater within their organizations; they can speak to the quality of its programs, the achievements of its students, and the vast expertise of its faculty. Are you interested in hiring UB students or contributing towards their professional development? Visit our website at bridgeport.edu/employers.

Faculty Spotlight

Fones School of Dental Hygiene Pioneers New Methods

Professors from the Fones School of Dental Hygiene presented their recent findings at the American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s (ADHA) annual conference.

The largest annual event for dental hygienists took place June 16 to 20, 2021, at the convention center in Phoenix, Arizona, where they gathered to receive the latest cutting-edge educational sessions specifically for dental hygienists.

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Navigating Academic and Social Transitions

Jaria Aljoe, Assistant Provost for Student Management

If you are like me, change can be incredibly challenging. While the changes we have faced over the last year and a half may look and feel different to us, I think we can agree a break from the constant change is needed. As we prepare to continue, or for some of you to begin, your post-secondary educational journey, I would like to share some tips on navigating academic and social transitions.

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Fall Sports Preview

After missing all of last season due to the pandemic, anticipation and excitement are high on campus, as the University of Bridgeport’s fall athletic programs return to the playing field and court.

The women’s soccer team, under the direction of head coach Magnus Nilerud, will look to return to the form that vaulted them to the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2018. The Purple Knights are set to open their 2021 campaign on Labor Day Weekend in the six-team UB Women’s Soccer Classic. See this season’s complete women’s soccer schedule.

Head coach Gary Mullin and the women’s volleyball team are hoping to return to the form that propelled them to the NCAA Regional Finals and 26 victories in 2019. See the complete 2021 women’s volleyball schedule.

In 2019, the University of Bridgeport men’s soccer team posted 11 wins and reached the East Coast Conference Championship Final. Head coach Peter Doneit and his squad will attempt to continue that momentum and keep the Purple Knights at the top of the conference standings. See a complete look at the 2021 Bridgeport men’s soccer schedule.

Homecoming 2021 flyer

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