My First Year Story

Introducing: My First Semester Abroad

My First Year Semester Abroad will be a mini-series special following our host, Tomaso, as he spends the semester abroad in London! This season we will learn about Tomaso’s experience adjusting to new changes while exploring a new place. Follow along with us this season to hear about the ups and downs of college life: abroad.

S2E12. UConn Majors: American Sign Language (ASL) with Linda & Donna

Season two of My First Year Story concludes with special guests Dr. Linda Pelletier and Donna McNeil, both of whom discuss their roles within UConn’s relatively new American Sign Language (ASL) program which began in 2020. As a current faculty member, coordinator, instructor and major advisor for the ASL program, Linda’s knowledge and familiarity of ASL stems from being a CODA (child of deaf adults), having used ASL amongst family for all of her life. As a Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) major, Donna initially intended to be an ASL minor. However, after experiencing the immersive nature of ASL classes taught by deaf professors, it was difficult to resist the opportunity once ASL was finally offered as a major. Donna is now a senior, double-majoring in MCB and ASL and also serves as president of UConn’s ASL club. This week’s episode features a conversation regarding our guests’ undergraduate experiences and how ASL has made an impact upon their academic journeys. Here, we are able to see perspectives from both sides — what it’s like to be familiar with deaf culture and to teach others about it, as well as the significance of learning it.

S2E11. UConn Leaders: Avital Sutin, UConn Hillel President

The My First Year Story podcast welcomes our special guest Avital Sutin, the President of UConn Hillel. Avital’s authentic take on working smarter not harder has evolved with her through her leadership positions on campus, namely UConn Hillel. She discusses the value of connecting to and reflecting on her identity through the support she found in the Jewish community at UConn. This drives her to continue to be that resource for others as the leader of this identity-centered group. Avital also emphasizes the importance of self-care especially when being so busy whether it be going for a walk or stepping back from what she is doing for a couple of minutes to regroup. Taking a break to recharge allows her to give her best in everything she is involved with. Be sure to tune in to learn more about UConn Hillel and Avital’s experience at UConn!

S2E10. UConn Majors: School of Business with Kelly, Alexandra & Katelyn

On this week’s episode, Tomaso sits down with Kelly Kennedy, the Director of Transformative Learning, and two undergraduate TA’s, Alexandra Stamboulis and Katelyn Desautels to discuss UConn's School of Business. With experience working in universities and in private companies, Kelly felt drawn back to the college setting help young professionals and ensure that students can bridge the gap between what they learn in their academics and how to apply those experiences to future careers. She wants students to take advantage of every opportunity and resource available to them. Alexandra and Katelyn, both seniors, feel as though they have experienced UConn at its fullest. Through their involvement in different clubs and organizations, they continue to build their networks of peers and professionals. Tune in to learn more about the School of Business at UConn and all that it has to offer. 

S2E9. UConn Leaders: Emma Rocheleau, Alpha Epsilon Phi President

This week, the podcast welcomes Emma Rocheleau, the current President of Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Xi Chapter (or AEPhi for short) to discuss her experiences with Greek Life at UConn.  Emma’s life sounds truly changed for the better as she has grown into different leadership roles, first as Vice President of Risk Management and now as President. She talks about her own experiences rushing as well as recruiting. She also covers the hardships of running chapter meetings virtually, but describes how that experience made her more sure of herself and her decisions. If you are interested in learning more about Greek life or just hearing about Emma’s story, make sure to not miss this episode!

S2E8. UConn Majors: The Neag School of Education with Carlton & Tamashi

In another installment of the major series, UConn alum Carlton Jones and graduate student Tamashi Hettiarachchi join as special guests to discuss their engagements with Neag, UConn’s School of Education. As an alum, Carlton was already familiar with the ins and outs of UConn culture and community, where he first saw himself getting involved in higher education. His educational journey started at UConn, and still continues at UConn, as he now resides as an academic advisor in Neag. In this episode, Carlton goes into detail about his professional arc and how his undergraduate years helped shape him into his current position. Alongside Carlton, Tamashi elaborates on her experiences as a first-generation student, her motivation to pursue education, and her career goals post-graduation. She also describes the adversity she faced as a student teacher during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, having to form relationships with her students over Zoom rather than face-to-face. Together, Carlton and Tamashi offer their stories, plus advice for undergraduates seeking insight about the college journey and after.

S2E7. UConn Leaders: Abbey Conrad, HuskyTHON Executive Director

With HuskyTHON quickly approaching, the My First Year Story Podcast welcomes Abbey Conrad, this year’s Executive Director. Abbey walks Tomaso through the different aspects of HuskyTHON, from what it is to how to register (spoiler alert: anyone in the UConn community can register!) to the different levels of getting involved. She also goes into her journey in getting involved in HuskyTHON, which started freshman year in her sorority, and her “why she dances”. HuskyTHON is more than just a fundraiser, it is about strengthening the community and “dancing for those who can’t”. If you are looking to learn more about HuskyTHON or just looking for a heartwarming story, then make sure to tune into this episode.

S2E6. UConn Majors: Biology with Dr. Kline and Naydu

This week, the My First Year Story Podcast returns to the major series, welcoming Dr. Elizabeth Kline and Naydu Nunno from UConn’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS) Biology Department and Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) Department. Dr. Kline is a professor in both departments, teaching introductory biology courses along with higher-level MCB writing courses. Naydu, a pre-med student, facilitates Dr. Kline’s BIO 1107 Supplemental Instruction (SI) and works in a research lab on campus. This episode covers themes of support, purpose, and taking your time, as our guests talk with Tomaso about pre-med culture, the struggles of graduate school, learning to focus on yourself, and so much more. Anyone, from first-year students starting off in a STEM field to those not sure about what to do after graduation can learn something from this episode.

S2E5. UConn Leaders: Live from the Benton Museum!

For this week’s episode of My First Year Story Podcast, we join Tomaso, not in the usual recording space, but at the Benton Museum of Art at UConn. This very special episode was recorded live during the First Thursday event and features four guests! We had individuals at the First Thursday event submit their college confession for our guests to react to. The first session welcomes Will Raccio and Nicole Mealha, two Academic Achievement Center (AAC) mentors. Listen to them react to different college confessions from anonymous students and then how they would navigate these situations. In the second session of this episode, Tomaso welcomes Cat Silva (UConn Women in Business President) and Jody Kung (LCEC President) for more reactions to college confessions. If you are wondering when to skip a class or how to balance social life and self-care, tune in to this special episode with amazing free-flowing dialogue!

S2E4. UConn Majors: Engineering with Nick & Valerie

On this week’s episode of the Major Series, the My First Year Story Podcast welcomes Nick Delaney and Valerie Lee from the School of Engineering (SoE). Nick, while now promoted to a new position within the college, was an advisor. He has worked in the College of Fine Arts and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences before finding his place in the SoE. Throughout his time with engineering, he has found a unique community filled with diversity in mind and work styles. Valerie is a junior Mechanical Engineering major, who fell in love with engineering in middle school. She discusses her appreciation for all the SoE advisors who work so hard to support their students and be the best resource they can be. This episode is filled with a lot of love for the hard working advisors of the School of Engineering, so make sure not to miss out!

 

For more information about UConn's School of Engineering, visit https://www.engr.uconn.edu/