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ASC · University of New Haven

Future-Ready
Sustainable Careers in the Age of AI

A CRC-hosted career forum connecting students with alumni and industry professionals through structured, meaningful conversations.

April 28, 2026
4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Alumni Lounge & Annex
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Hosted in partnership with
Career Readiness Club
HOST
Pompea College of Business
Beta Gamma Sigma
Office of Alumni Relations
Public Health Association
Career Development Center
Mentor Collective
Career Readiness Club
HOST
Pompea College of Business
Beta Gamma Sigma
Office of Alumni Relations
Public Health Association
Career Development Center
Mentor Collective
The ASC Framework

Why ASC Matters

ASC | Alumni–Student Career Forum—formerly Alumni–Student Networking Event (ASNE)—is a university-wide initiative led by the Career Readiness Club at the University of New Haven. It brings together students, alumni, faculty, and industry professionals through structured conversations that lead to real insight, relationships, and opportunities.

A
Aspire
Real-world perspective
Learn how careers actually unfold through decisions, pivots, trade-offs, and opportunities that rarely show up in the classroom.
Career exposure
Gain visibility into industries, roles, and career paths that are often invisible until someone in the field explains them clearly.
S
Strategize
Professional confidence
Practice introducing yourself, asking strong questions, and holding thoughtful conversations with experienced professionals.
Industry intelligence
Understand the trends, demands, and skills that actually drive careers forward in today's rapidly changing landscape.
C
Connect
Meaningful connection
Start building relationships before you need them for internships, mentorship, job opportunities, or long-term career guidance.
Lasting network
Create conversations that extend well beyond a single event — the kind of relationships that compound over a career.
Networking Impact

Connections materially
change outcomes.

Credible estimates place connection-driven hiring well above 50%. Networking is not a social activity—it drives access to referrals, interviews, and real opportunities.

0%

Connection-driven hiring

of workers secured roles through professional or personal connections

0%

of professionals are hired at companies where they already have some prior connection.

0x

more likely to be hired — referred candidates outperform those applying cold.

Tentative Schedule

Clear structure.
Better conversations.

A tentative structured flow designed to guide the evening and support focused, meaningful conversations between students, alumni, and industry professionals.

4:30 PM

Arrival and Check-In

Guests arrive, check in, and begin networking.

5:10 PM

Opening Remarks and Keynote

Opening remarks will be delivered by Jens Frederiksen, President of the University of New Haven, followed by a welcome from Eyosias Teka, President of the Career Readiness Club, and a keynote address by Paul Lavoie, Vice President of Innovation and Applied Technology at the University of New Haven.

5:40 PM

Alumni Panel

A focused discussion on the event theme, “Future-Ready: Sustainable Careers in the Age of AI,” highlighting alumni career paths, key decisions, and real-world industry perspectives.

6:45 PM

Q&A Session

Audience questions and guided discussion with panelists.

7:00 PM

Awards, Recognitions & Closing Remarks

Acknowledgment of key contributors, followed by brief closing remarks to conclude the event.

7:30 PM

Photo & Continued Networking

Ongoing conversations and connection-building.

Featured Guests

Speaker & Guest
Profiles

The guest roster is still being finalized. Once confirmed, this section will highlight alumni and professional guests joining the event. Profiles will include bios, titles, and conversation themes.

Guest Name
University Leader
Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D.
President · University of New Haven
Dr. Jens Frederiksen is a highly accomplished higher education leader driving the University of New Haven’s rapid growth and national visibility. Under his leadership, the University has expanded its global reach, strengthened industry partnerships, and launched major innovation initiatives, including a new Center for Innovation and Applied Technology.

His work focuses on preparing students for real-world success by directly connecting education to the evolving demands of the workforce, making his perspective highly relevant to conversations on career readiness, innovation, and the future of work.
Guest Name
University Leader
Paul Lavoie
Vice President of Innovation and Applied Technology · University of New Haven
Paul Lavoie is a nationally recognized leader in advanced manufacturing and innovation, leading the University of New Haven’s new R&D Park focused on cutting-edge fields like robotics, AI, and advanced manufacturing.

Formerly Connecticut’s Chief Manufacturing Officer, he has driven major industry and economic development initiatives at the state level. His experience across industry, government, and academia gives him a highly practical perspective on how innovation translates into real career opportunities—making his insights directly relevant to the future of work.
Profile Pending
Coming Soon
Guest Profile
Title · Organization
Professional bio, industry background, and career highlights will appear here once confirmed.
Leadership

The team behind ASC.

Meet the Career Readiness Club and partner leaders making ASC possible—dedicated to building bridges between students and the professional world.

Advisor
Dr. Khadija Al Arkoubi
Advisor
Provides strategic guidance, faculty alignment, and institutional support to ensure CRC initiatives, including ASC, deliver meaningful impact.
President
Eyosias A. Teka
President
Leads CRC's overall strategy and execution, ensuring alignment across all teams and overseeing the vision and delivery of ASC.
Beta Gamma Sigma Chapter President
Dr. Bruno Barreto de Góes
Beta Gamma Sigma Chapter President
Leads the Beta Gamma Sigma partnership for ASC, bringing the organization into its first networking event at the University of New Haven in collaboration with CRC.
VP Strategy & Operations
Oreoluwa Sogunle
Vice President of Strategy & Operations
Drives execution planning, internal coordination, and operational efficiency to ensure all CRC initiatives and ASC run seamlessly.
Co-Head, School of Health Sciences
Miss Priyanka Sonar
Co-Head of School of Health Science Branch
Represents the School of Health Sciences, driving student engagement, outreach, and participation in CRC initiatives and ASC.
Co-Head, School of Health Sciences
Lakshmi Kavya Ghanta
Co-Head of School of Health Science Branch
Strengthens connections between CRC and Health Sciences students by supporting outreach, communication, and event participation.
Interim Director
Betselot Tizazu
Interim Director
Supports the planning and execution of CRC events, including logistics coordination, scheduling, and overall event flow for ASC.
Interim Director
Galadriel A. Garcia
Interim Director
Supports the planning and execution of CRC events, including logistics coordination, scheduling, and overall event flow for ASC.
Interim Director
Ellen Carson
Alumni Outreach
Provides voluntary support to alumni engagement and external outreach efforts, contributing to the growth and impact of ASC.
Conversation Starters

A better way to start
the conversation.

Tap below to get a conversation starter you can use at ASC.

Conversation Starter
What helped you break into your industry?
On mobile, you can also shake your phone to generate another question.

Use it at ASC

Strong conversations start with the right questions. Use this prompt when engaging with alumni, faculty, staff, university leaders, and industry professionals.

Career paths Industry insight Professional growth Advice worth asking for
Past Event Highlights

A visual look at prior ASC moments.

A look back at key moments from previous ASC events, capturing the conversations, connections, and atmosphere that define the experience.

Logistics

Everything attendees need.

Date and Time

Tuesday, April 28, 2026
4:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Location

Alumni Lounge & Annex
University of New Haven

Attendance

Students, Faculty, Staff, University Leaders, Alumni, and Industry Professionals are welcome. Business or business casual attire is recommended. Advance registration is required.

Helpful Links

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FAQ

Remove confusion
before it becomes
an excuse.

Answers to the most common questions about attending, what to expect, and how to make the most of ASC 2nd Edition.

Expect a professional but approachable environment built around meaningful interaction, guided conversation, and open networking among students, faculty, alumni, and industry guests.
No. That is exactly why the event format matters. The room is designed to make starting conversations easier and more natural, especially for people still building confidence.
Business casual is the safest default unless you decide to wear something more formal. The goal is to look polished and feel confident.
Yes. That is one of the best reasons to attend. ASC helps people get exposure before their path is fully clear.

Join ASC and Start Building Relationships that can
Shape Your Future.

April 28, 2026 · Alumni Lounge & Annex · University of New Haven

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