MPH Candidate Reflects on Graduate Student Orientation: ‘The Experience Was Quite Memorable’

I recently had the opportunity to help welcome new graduate students to the University as part of the graduate student orientation, a fun and interactive program that we will always remember.

Orientation is such an exciting word that endeavors to bring happiness and joy to students’ lives. It is an auspicious moment for every university to welcome a large number of students who are coming to build and set up their own paths as we work toward our careers.

Recently, the University of New Haven held an orientation program for incoming graduate students. More than 1,500 students who attended the orientation. First, the orientation leaders welcomed students with warm regards and helped everyone check in, offering paper and pens for those who wanted to take some notes. Later, breakfast was provided to students.

I had an opportunity to be an orientation leader for the students who were accepted to the Master of Public Health (MPH) program, along with my colleague Dr. Rama Sundaram ’25 MPH. The dean, Dr. Betsy Francis-Connolly, offered greetings, and some current MPH candidates spoke to help boost the new students’ confidence and provide some motivation.

Later, Dr. Quinn Duclos, Dr. Karl Minges, and our internship coordinator Jhinelle Dawson ’21 MPH, ’23 DHSc welcomed students and explained the mission and goals of the program. They told students about their backgrounds.

After the lunch, there was a huge resource fair. More than 40 tables were placed with the different organizations and companies such as T.D. Bank, the Indian Student Council, Student Public Health Association, Graduate Student Council, Student Technical Support, University Immigration Services, and many more to provide information and assistance.

The experience was quite memorable, and we will remember it throughout our lives.