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University of New Haven DHSc graduate Nevila Bardhi ’26 DHSc, MPH achieved two major milestones as her doctoral research on mercury-exposure screening was published in Public Health Reports, and it was selected for presentation at the 2026 American Public Health Association Annual Meeting.

As a recent University of New Haven Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc) graduate, I’ve reached two significant milestones in my doctoral research. My thesis findings have been published in Public Health Reports, the official journal of the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the work has also been selected for oral presentation at the 2026 American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting in San Antonio.

The University’s student-run newspaper, , captured a first place honor in the American Scholastic Press Association’s scholastic newspaper awards, which recognized the dedication of students who tirelessly covered University news throughout the pandemic.

Here's what our students are working on

Mirlinda Ndrecka, Ph.D., an expert in institutional and community corrections and re-entry programs, is teaching at the University of Tirana School of Law in Albania in its executive master’s in criminology program.

Mirlinda Ndrecka, Ph.D. an associate professor of criminal justice in the University of New Haven’s Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board to teach at the University of Tirana School of Law in Albania in its executive master’s in criminology program for the 2026 spring semester.

The largest public university in Albania – a Southeast European country with a population of nearly 2.5 million – the University of Tirana School of Law, offers an Executive Master’s in criminology (in both English and Albanian). The program builds the research and academic capacity of professionals working across Albania's justice sector, including the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Interior, the courts, and the Prosecutor’s office.

Dr. Ndrecka brings her scholarly and academic expertise to the program in several impactful professional and research areas. These include institutional and community corrections in the United States, criminological theories, research methods, effective programs for justice-involved individuals, risk factors for delinquency and crime, juvenile delinquency and corrections, and re-entry in the community after serving time in correctional institutions. said the UNewHaven community has always given her encouragement and motivation that aligns with this year’s MLK Celebration theme.

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.

�������Թ� Blogger Beatrice Glaviano ’26 reflects on her journey from joining a summer undergraduate research fellowship to earning the School of Health Sciences’ Excellence in Innovation & Research Award for her work exploring microplastics and human health.

This semester, I had the great pleasure of receiving the Excellence in Innovation & Research Award in Undergraduate Nutrition Sciences from the School of Health Sciences. It’s an honor to be nominated for this award, and I don’t even know where to begin expressing my gratitude.

When I first started this blog, I had been accepted into the 2023 Summer Undergraduate Research Program Fellowship (SURF) here at the University of New Haven. As a brand-new nutrition sciences major inspired by the emerging scientific conversation about microplastics and their potential impacts on the environment and human health, I decided to take a shot in the dark at applying for this SURF-thingy.

From melting fish to learning how to culture human cells, there has been a lot of learning in the past two years. There has been a lot of failing, too. Tears of frustration, tears of happiness, and, honestly, tears because that week had been particularly miserable. Yet, I cannot argue with the results (or lack thereof).

To anyone who is reading this wanting to go into research of any field, don’t be discouraged if your major interest of study clashes with what you want to look into. If a nutrition major can end up in a molecular cell biology lab, you can go anywhere you want to as well.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. envisioned a “Beloved Community,” and the University’s annual MLK Celebration recognized several members of �������Թ� Nation who are dedicated to fulfilling that vision on campus and within their own communities.

Dorion Levy ’28, is pursuing a degree in criminal justice, not just for a job, but for a purpose.

“It is my desire to use my voice for those who have had theirs silenced, ignored, or wounded in a way that calls itself just. Levy said.

From campus traditions to supportive faculty, Siddhi Kawa ’26 MS shares the experiences that made her time as an international graduate student meaningful and transformative.

My name is Siddhi Kawa, and I am a graduate student in Finance & Financial Analytics at the University of New Haven. As an international student from India, I have found that my journey has changed me in many ways.

I don’t want to graduate just yet. Not because I’m scared of the future, but because this stage of my life feels especially important. I’m writing this to share why being a student here has meant so much to me.

Being at the University of New Haven has made me value my student years more than ever before. It reminded me that this time in life is special. As students, we are allowed to learn, make mistakes, ask questions, and grow without feeling rushed. That freedom is something I don’t take for granted.

At the University, I feel at home in small but powerful ways. People notice your progress. Small achievements are celebrated. Effort is encouraged. When you are far from your home country, those small things matter deeply. They remind me how lucky and privileged I am to have the opportunity to study here.

From a study-away experience in Nashville to the control rooms at ESPN, Jessica Despres ’21 transformed her passion for audio into an award-winning career. Her story reflects how openness and networking can shape unexpected opportunities.

When Jessica Despres ’21 graduated from the University of New Haven’s Music and Music & Sound Recording programs, she knew she wanted a career that combined creativity, technology, and storytelling. What she did not expect was that within just a few years, she would be mixing audio for some of ESPN’s biggest shows and earning an Emmy® production plaque for her work on NFL Live.

Despres credits much of her professional growth to the University of New Haven’s unique Nashville Study Away Program, where she trained under GRAMMY®-winning faculty members Steve Fishell and David Leonard. “Being in-person, working in studios, and learning from professionals gave me confidence,” she says.

The experience also helped her overcome imposter syndrome. “I didn’t think I was good enough at audio mixing,” she admits. “But my time in Nashville and the people I met there pushed me to believe in myself and to keep improving.”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. envisioned a “Beloved Community,” and the University’s annual MLK Celebration recognized several members of �������Թ� Nation who are dedicated to fulfilling that vision on campus and within their own communities.

Charmi Bharatkumar Desai, MPH ’26, was in the audience at the MLK Celebration event in 2025 and said hearing from the individuals who were receiving the Vision Awards gave her the motivation and encouragement to hopefully stand in that same spot one day.

“The beloved community that Dr. King talked about reminds us that being a part of something inclusive doesn’t always mean being welcome, but it also means being valued and empowered,” she said.

As an international student, she said her journey has been full of uncertainties, ups, and downs, but also hopes and dreams. However, she said the UNewHaven community has always given her encouragement and motivation that aligns with this year’s MLK Celebration theme.