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Meet Josh Carbajal ’18, ’20 M.A., a success advisor in the University’s Center for Student Success, who says working in the center that offered him so much support when he was a student is a “dream come true.”

The lifeblood of the University of New Haven are the faculty and staff members who dedicate their lives to helping our students reach their goals. Periodically, we’ll introduce you to a member of the staff so you can learn more about them – beyond their day-to-day work.

Next up is Josh Carbajal ’18, ’20 M.A., a success advisor in the University’s Center for Student Success, whose travels have brought him to the top of a pyramid and across the pond.

Renee Chmiel: Did you have any educators who had a particularly meaningful impact on your life?

Josh Carbajal: I immediately thought of one of my high school teachers, who I still to this day call Ms. Block out of habit. She was one of my English teachers and the advisor of our high school’s Gay-Straight Alliance. She was so supportive of me while I was exploring my gender identity and encouraged me to challenge myself. I don’t think I realized it at the time, but she became a bit of a mentor to me my senior year, and I did know that her support meant so much to me and my family. She would check in with my sister, best friend, and me during my college years after a pretty major life event. We don’t talk very much nowadays, but she still checks in with me every so often, and it means the world to me.

RC: What is your favorite holiday?

JC: Halloween has been my favorite holiday for as long as I can remember. It falls during my favorite season, and the spooky imagery and black/orange color scheme match my interests and general aesthetic. I typically spend it with friends, wearing costumes and watching horror movies. It’s hard for me to say no to a good Halloween party!

RC: What’s your favorite show to binge watch?

JC: I don’t binge watch many things these days, but I’ll binge and re-watch the Great British Baking show every so often! I enjoy how it’s less stressful than other competition shows, and I can learn about baked goods I haven’t tried before.

RC: Tell us a few fun facts about you!

JC: I love concerts. At any given point I am most likely looking forward to an upcoming show in New Haven or New York. Whenever I can afford tickets and travel, I try to support bands I like when they come to town. I have a few friends who are also University of New Haven who are working musicians, and I do my best to attend their shows as well. Support your local artists!

I am a big fan of puzzles. Whether it’s a jigsaw puzzle, a word search, a sudoku with extra rules, or puzzle video games, I love a good brain teaser. I have about six or seven puzzle books at home, and all of them are at least partially complete.

I’ve climbed a pyramid! Once when I visited my family in Mexico, I visited Los Piramides de Teotihuacan. My dad and I climbed the Pyramid of the Moon with a few other family members, I was so focused on keeping my balance and taking in the view that I forgot to take decent pictures!

RC: If you could live in another place or time period, where and when would it be?

JC: I’m actually pretty happy where I am now. Living on the East Coast means I’m close to a few major cities, which comes in handy during concert season. There’s also nothing like autumn in New England, and I know I would miss that if I went anywhere else. Not to mention, I live near a lot of my family, which is important to me.

RC: What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?

JC: When I traveled abroad for the first time, I did it by myself! Traveling is something that has always made me nervous, so I’m very proud of myself for going through with a trip to England after I found out I’d be traveling alone. I was visiting a friend who lived there, which helped calm my nerves, but it was still a big step for me.

RC: What do you enjoy the most about your position at the University of New Haven?

JC: I enjoy the countless opportunities to help students cultivate their success. Getting to know their dreams and goals and then developing a plan with them to make those goals and dreams come true are the highlight of my day. I visited the Center for Student Success when I was a student, and it’s a dream come true to support students the same way the CSS staff supported me.