Success Stories

A debt-free double-major leads transfer student Sheila Medina to her dream job at DeloitteMy accounting professor told me about WCSU and that my NCC credits would transfer there ... I spoke to Dr. Richard Montague, chair of WCSU’s MIS department, who told me I wouldn’t have to do a major and minor — I could do a double major in MIS and Accounting. Not only that, but everything was in one place in WCSU’s Ancell School of Business. This changed my whole idea of what I could accomplish!
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Biodiversity graduate student Maria Rodriguez-Hernandez invests in cyanobacteria research“I’m pretty excited to do my thesis. It has changed the way I see problems with water quality. ... I’ve always cared about the environment and all the aspects of environmental conservation.”
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Olivia Moore and Catherine Costa, Barnard Award winners

WCSU Field Hockey players Catherine Costa and Olivia Moore win 2022 Barnard Awards“Catherine and Olivia are driven individuals who strive for excellence in everything that they do. To say I am proud of them is an understatement. Each has their own unique set of skills and traits, but both young women have been a shining example of grit and determination for their teammates and peers."
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Biodiversity graduate students JoAnn D’Addio and Tim Martin translate learning into teaching opportunities“Tim and JoAnn came into our master’s program as highly accomplished professionals, but it was so fun to work with them and see how our program gave them opportunities to explore their passions for environmental work. ... I love that our program ends up having exponential impact because they are extending what they learned back to even more students.”
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Oscar Oldbury-Swift, international exchange student from ‘across the pond’ breaks swimming records at WCSU“I was over the moon with my swims, breaking my own 200m IM record by a further 8 seconds, breaking the 400m IM record by 13 seconds and my own 200m breaststroke record by a further 9 seconds. As a men’s team, we broke three relay records, bringing my total to six university records!”
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Senior art student Daisy Gesualdi curates new exhibit at Brookfield Craft CenterIn an ongoing partnership, Brookfield Craft Center supports WCSU’s Department of Art through instructor-led, class-curated exhibitions. This year, Gesualdi, a senior art major, was selected to curate this exhibition, which represents the culmination of her four years of studies at WCSU.
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Alumnus Shelby Davis named to prestigious ‘40 under 40’ list“WCSU built a foundation for my leadership,” Davis noted, and his advice for students hoping to attend the university is to “ keep going — stick to your dreams, your goals, your vision. The road may be long, but you will get there.”
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WCSU’s ROI makes it one of the highest value universities in Connecticut: Meteorologist Jacob Wycoff is living proof“During my time at WCSU, I was able to do three separate internships. Two of them used a program called WeatherBug in their weathercast, so I got a chance to test drive the software. Upon graduation, I applied to WeatherBug for a role there, using references I gained during my internship. I ended up getting the position and began working as a meteorologist in Maryland. My role was to work closely with 100+ TV station partners using the WeatherBug software.”
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Kayla Conroy (center) in a scene from the web series “Human Telegraphs.”

Alumna Kayla Conroy's web series receives acclaim in festival and award circuitShe notes her experience performing in WCSU’s New York City production of “Songs for a New World” had a profound impact on her future career as an actor and producer. “My directors and teachers, including Frank Herbert, Pam McDaniel and Sal Trapani, helped make my time at WCSU an amazing experience.”
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Alumnus "Hupp" Huppmann sets out to sea to raise awareness of veteran PTSD and suicide“I used my GI Bill benefits. I went to school every day and had a full-time schedule, and then at night I would take classes online. I am extremely proud to be a graduate of WCSU.”
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Student Michelle Rochniak named Connecticut Collegiate Poet“At WCSU, I made many new friends, connected with professors and found my poetic voice. I’m so grateful that I feel at home in the Writing department, and I’m even more grateful that people here appreciate my work and encourage me on a regular basis to continue writing.”
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Alumnus Nicolas DiDomizio returns to campus to speak to student writers“The Writing Department faculty thought it would be invaluable to have Nic speak with our students, including his decision to switch from a corporate career after several years to penning ‘Burn It All Down.’ There is nothing that hits home more for students than hearing from someone who sat where they are sitting now.”
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Alumnus Eric Holley launches successful dual careers from strengths in communication and sports“The sports system created the person I am today. I wanted to teach young men to leverage all the opportunities available to them, just as I utilized all of my opportunities as a student-athlete at WCSU.”
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Alumnus Jeff DiStasio leads Google's Cloud Security sales team“Those years of hands-on, real-world experience that I acquired as a student worker at WCSU were a huge springboard. It helped me differentiate myself.”
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Managerial Accounting degree builds foundation for successful career for alumnus Luke Holden“Another thing that separated me from other job candidates upon graduation was my ability to adapt, because at the Ancell School I learned accounting, fraud, business development and marketing as part of my Managerial Accounting degree.”
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Alumna Monique Daley developed her appetite for advocacy at WCSU“I had immigrated from Jamaica for high school and seeing so many people of color as administrators at a smaller university like WCSU really helped shape some and offset other situations. I could see the years of work by people of color to activate change on campus, which gave me a strong background in advocacy right from the start.”
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Alumna Alicia Leite finds bridge to successful CTDOT career“My anthropology and social sciences classes at WCSU opened my eyes to things I had never experienced or learned growing up. Professors like Dr. Stephen Ward, Dr. Averell Manes and Dr. Rob Whittemore expanded my world view significantly.”
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Routines, self-reliance led to job at Goldman Sachs for alumnus Chriss Sari"If it weren’t for the experiences I went through and learned from during my years at WCSU, I would never have gotten here. I am where I am today because of my mindset: it is important to believe in yourself because if you don’t, then who will?”
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‘Magic’ being made in Torrington schools, thanks to Music Education alumnae Ashlee Hyatt and Michelle Castellano“The WCSU [music] program is so good, that we continue to hire WCSU graduates in Torrington." ... “If you want a high-quality education without paying the high cost of a private college, go to WCSU. The quality of the education can’t be matched.”
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Service-learning opportunities spark educational, career goals for Ana Mendieta

Service-learning opportunities spark educational, career goals for alumna Ana Mendieta"As a first-generation student, I appreciated the emphasis on the value of getting involved for the greater good. WCSU sparked an interest in service learning in me.”
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Divergent paths lead to Juris Doctors for brothers George and Tony Fernandes“I remember driving by WCSU as a child many times and wondering what people were learning in the buildings and where they would go after they received that education. I wanted to be a part of that, and I have never once regretted my decision to attend WCSU.”
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Scott Morrison uses finance studies to fill hearts and stomachs by setting a place at the table for everyone"As a small business owner, you have to wear many hats. WCSU completely prepared me for everything that has come our way in the 28 years we’ve been in business. And to this day, I still do all our accounting."
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Olivia Kelly Sosnoski at her White Coat ceremony

Serendipity leads Olivia Kelly Sosnoski to WCSU on first step to fulfilling med school dream“The small student-to-faculty ratio at WCSU was highly influential in my success. I was always asking questions, utilizing the faculty office hours. ... So many professors just go out of their way to be encouraging and make you feel supported.”
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From WCSU to Chicago’s Wacker Drive: Focus on values directs alumna Alycia Hamilton's Interactive Marketing career"At WCSU, I learned to speak my voice and value the opinions and knowledge of others. I also saw the advantage of nurturing relationships. Both have given me the ability to consistently grow and learn.”
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Alumna Bri-Anna Caberson finds artistic freedom, benefit from WCSU DIMA degree (Photo credit: Alejandro Lazare)

Alumna Bri-Anna Caberson finds artistic freedom, benefit from WCSU DIMA degree"There were no roadblocks, no restrictions. I was able to dive right in and have freedom in my artistic expression. The professors were amazing."
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Commemorated our 120th birthday by sharing 120 WCSU stories.

Whether they are current students, recent graduates or long-time alumni, what they share in common is SUCCESS