SHU Culture Leads to Successes

Personalized experiences, one-on-one connections allow students to thrive

Three years ago, junior Jennifer Mitchell wanted to come to Sacred Heart University after learning about its world-class, award-winning dance program. 

As a passionate dancer who considered the artform a large part of her life, she was confident she could excel and grow in SHU’s program. Kari Williams, director of dance, was welcoming and warm and guaranteed Mitchell that she would find the program fulfilling. 

Mitchell’s decision was made. She applied to SHU and was accepted. The next thing to do was fill out the appropriate paperwork.  

Mitchell said her dad always did the finances for her family. He assured her he would fill out the financial aid forms and told her not to worry, but Mitchell knew he was struggling. 

Then tragedy struck in May of Mitchell’s senior year of high school; her father unexpectedly passed away. So many questions were left unanswered including what would happen with her college career. 

“He knew how much I wanted to go to Sacred Heart,” Mitchell said. 

From that moment on, Mitchell’s guidance counselor worked closely with SHU’s student financial assistance (SFA) department.

“I think my guidance counselor talked to the financial aid department every day until the end of the year,” Mitchell said. “They did all the work my father was doing for me … they took the heavy weight off my shoulders. Without the financial aid department’s help, the whole process would have been so much harder. SHU really handled my situation with grace.”

Even as recent as this past summer, SFA continued to provide Mitchell with help. “Mathew Magliocco [SFA director] helped my mom and me efficiently with financial assistance,” she said. “He was so responsive and always got back to us within 24 hours.”

The marketing and management major in the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology has found her home at Sacred Heart. “All of my cups are filled … in every aspect of my life here at SHU,” Mitchell said. 

Mitchell’s experience is just one example of how staff and faculty treat Pioneers. Whether it’s help with financial aid, housing or academics, students can expect their needs to be met. In honor of this month’s Financial Aid Day, SHU honors its financial aid professionals who help make students’ dreams come true and advise them when it comes to financial decisions.  

“We’ve created a culture at SHU where we connect with students one on one and ensure they get what they need to be successful,” said Pam Pillo, assistant vice president of undergraduate admissions. “I think it’s very special, our culture, our community of helping and kindness. It’s led to the success we’ve had.” 

SHU’s freshmen class, the class of 2027, is the largest group in SHU’s history. It’s an 8.5 percent increase from last year. The 1,920 first-year students come from 35 states and 14 countries. They have an average high school GPA of 3.6. and have interests in club sports, performing arts, community engagement and SHU’s Division I athletic teams. Over 700 students were in the National Honor Society and more than 70 were their class’s high school president. 

“We are getting to know more and more of our extraordinary first-year students each day,” Pillo said. “We’ve met so many freshmen already through our pre-fall programming and First 50 Days activities. First 50 Days provides daily activities at the beginning of the semester where new students have a chance to have fun, meet new people, discover new interests and get comfortable on campus. This robust group of students has so much to look forward to.” 

Pillo said with enrollment growing, the University has been making investments to expand. Construction is underway on the Pioneer Village where soon new residence halls and a parking garage will open. New construction and renovations also are ongoing at the Academic Center and Center for Healthcare Education. 

“We are proud to offer students unique academic spaces that ensure personalized experiences,” Pillo said. She added that faculty are dedicated to making sure students have access to internships and research clinicals, so they can apply the knowledge they receive in the classroom in real-world settings. As a junior, Mitchell already has two internships on her resume, one with Major League Baseball and another in her hometown’s city hall. Pillo encourages any students struggling to find internships to reach out to the Center for Career & Professional Development or their advisers. 

“Students will find that taking advantages of these resources will lead to their success,” said Pillo. “The Center for Career & Professional Development, like all of our student centers, is staffed with personnel who will continue to provide that special one-on-one attention. That’s a guarantee.”