BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY

Sheraud Wilder ’26

Heading into Commencement, we asked Sheraud Wilder ’26 a few questions about his time spent at the University of New Haven and his plans for the future.

Sheraud Wilder ’26 is graduating this spring with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, with a concentration in Forensic Psychology, and a minor in Criminal Justice.

How does it feel in this moment to be graduating?
It feels unreal. I always think ahead wondering what the next five years of my life is going to be, what will I look like, what will it feel like, and what’s after that. Now that I’m here, I haven’t been able to fully immerse myself in the feeling. I’m going to be thinking about assignments that I have coming up all throughout summer for my graduate program. The feeling of being finished with undergrad feels like I can take a deep breath. All I can think about is walking across the stage and how it’s going to feel. Bittersweet, definitely. I am going to miss my time here.

How did you get involved during your time here at the University of New Haven?
My freshman year I joined Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Not only has it provided me with resources, support and connections, but it developed me and helped mold my college experience, giving me the outreach to become a positive figure in my community. Knowing I can help create change is very empowering. My fraternity has given me all the tools to make sure I am a successful individual when I leave college, making me think about not just who I am, but the person and man that I am trying to be. I am forever grateful for that.

My freshman year I also joined the Black Student Union. This relationship has given me the platform to help change the narrative. Understanding your capabilities and what it means being a black student at a PWI (predominantly white institution) forces you to change the narrative to help enlighten and raise the awareness of individuals. Wanting a sense of belonging in communities that you stand out from is uncomfortable. Creating them may be harder, but it helps the legacy of people who come after you.

I became a F.I.R.S.T mentor and worked with incoming freshmen, which helped me better understand my passion for development and realizing just how much experiences such as F.I.R.S.T could be in the social experience that freshmen have. The opportunity to be among the first people that incoming first-year students see when they arrive, and then having the power to make a direct impact on their lives, is something I cherish, especially seeing the growth that my mentees have had since first meeting them.

My commitment to my community has aided in my ability to outreach and network with so many individuals on campus. This put my name in rooms I’d never thought of, giving me overwhelming support.

The University of New Haven is proud to recognize the 2025–2026 John D. Hatfield Scholars, an exceptional group of Honors students recognized for their academic strength, leadership, and commitment to serving the community. Made possible through the generosity of the Bartels family, the Hatfield Scholars Program continues to reflect the legacy of Dr. John D. Hatfield, University’s first executive vice president, provost, and chief operating officer, legacy supporting students who strive to create meaningful change.

When I learned that I had been selected to be a Hatfield Scholar, I was overcome with pride and joy. I was proud that this incredible award was highlighting my love for service and academics. Being a Hatfield Scholar has given me the opportunity to connect with numerous important figures at this University. I would love to thank Mr. Philip Bartels ’11 Hon. and Mrs. Susan Bartels for their generous donations and the opportunity to speak with them. Additionally, I was able to speak with President Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D. and a number of administrators.

I am proud to say I’ve achieved numerous accomplishments during my time here. In the academic space, I’ve grown in my presentation skills. I took a course on organized crime with Declan Hill, D.Phil.. This course ended with a 10-page paper and a 30-minute presentation on the Medellin Cartel. I am proud looking back, knowing that I confidently presented in front of my class and several professionals who had been invited to attend.

Outside of my academics, I’ve grown my leadership skills and been able to create community service opportunities on campus. As vice president of service for Alpha Phi Omega, I have created and hosted numerous large service projects that had high attendance. Those events allowed me to connect students with easy community service opportunities. As the current president of this amazing service fraternity, I hope to grow our reach and continue to provide service on campus and in our community.

Melissa Whitson, Ph.D. was presented the University’s William L. Bucknall Excellence in Teaching Award and Achilles Atticus Callahan Beumel ’26 received the Bucknall Family Undergraduate Research or Experiential Learning Award.

As part of the special event, the 2024-25 Bucknall Family Undergraduate Research or Experiential Learning Award was awarded to psychology major Achilles Atticus Callahan Beumel ’26.

During their 2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), Beumel undertook a challenging and impactful research project on the Algeria-Morocco border conflict—a topic and region completely foreign to them. Conducting her study in Moroccan and in Arabic, under the guidance of faculty adviser, Halima Belemlih, Ph.D., a distinguished lecturer in the Department of Human Sciences, Beumel developed questionnaires based on validated psychological measures for refugee trauma and distributed them to ten victims affected by the conflict.

Their research included both qualitative and quantitative data analysis and culminated in a scientific presentation, later supplemented with a narrative that captured the harsh realities faced by these individuals, including accounts of gang rape, police brutality, forced expulsions, robbery, murder, and suicide. Despite the sensitive nature of the subject matter, Beumel created a powerful and compassionate presentation within a short timeframe.

“While I went into this project aware of the nature of the subject matter, even I could not begin to imagine the unspeakable horrors that my research would uncover,” said Beumel, who is participating in SURF for the second time this summer.

We are proud to be a university that's continuously growing and making positive changes for our students and the community. Our achievements are a testament to our dedicated faculty and staff and the cutting-edge programs they develop; our talented students, who continue to be engaged members of the community; and our alumni, who consistently become leaders in their chosen fields.

In 2026, the University of New Haven was ranked a top-tier university in the North region by U.S. News & World Report in its annual "Best Colleges" rankings. And, for the 10th year in a row, we have been recognized as one of the nation's best institutions for undergraduate education by The Princeton Review. In addition, our Tagliatela College of Engineering is rated among the top third in the country in our category in U.S. News' rankings of the best undergraduate engineering programs.

Our Pompea College of Business is accredited by AACSB International, placing it among the Top 6 Percent Worldwide. We are also a proud member of The New American Colleges and Universities (NAC&U), an exclusive national consortium of selective, small to mid-size (2,000-7,500 students) independent colleges and universities that are dedicated to the purposeful integration of liberal education, professional studies, and civic engagement.

What it is: A community for students interested in understanding human behavior, mental health, and how the mind influences decision-making, relationships, and well-being.

Community focus: Empathy, self-awareness, ethical practice, and scientific inquiry.

Experiential learning: Psychology ELC students explore how theory comes to life through interactive workshops, community-based learning, and faculty-guided experiences that examine behavior in real-world settings.

Adventure: Psychology ELC students participate in a guided goat yoga and mindfulness experience designed to reduce stress, increase emotional regulation, and promote overall well-being. Students explore how animal-assisted interactions, movement, and mindfulness practices support mental health while learning the psychological science behind stress reduction, mood regulation, and social connection.

Faculty:
Dr. Fadia Narchet
Dr. Johanna Hellgren

“I cried when I left the U.S. because I was scared,” confessed computer science major Isaura Franco ’26. “And, I cried again when I had to leave Italy because I didn’t want to leave.” It was clear that returning home brought a bit of reverse culture shock. Things were quieter and less connected in comparison to Italy’s lively, social atmosphere. Summing up her experience in three words, she smiled and said, “beautiful, life-changing, and fun."

Spend a semester at the University’s satellite campus in Prato, Italy, or participate in hundreds of opportunities that enable you to learn about and immerse yourself in cultures, customs, and traditions from around the globe.

William Adams, an emeritus professor of computer science, led a program for many years that brought students to our campus in in Tuscany, Italy, in the cradle of the Renaissance.

"I tell parents that their son or daughter will be standing taller when they see them again after their European experience," said Adams. "Upon their return, parents often attest to this fact."

All University of New Haven students have access to the many resources available through the University’s Career Development Center, which has been named one of the best in the nation by The Princeton Review.

From help choosing the right major – or switching to a better fit – to internships and co-ops, résumé building, interview training, and job listings in your field, our goal is to connect you with the services and resources you need to map out the career you envision. The Career Development Center provides the skills and connections to identify a meaningful career and an opportunity to pursue your passion.