The University of New Haven community said farewell to their Associate Vice President for Retention, Dr. Christie Boronico.
A reception was held in Dr. Boronico’s honor when she left UNH to assume the role of Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Student Affairs at St Vincent’s College in Bridgeport.
The farewell reception was held July 18 at 3:00 until 4:30 p.m., in Room 124 of Maxcy Hall. Efforts were made to show appreciation for all she has done in her eight years at the University. Her last day at the university was July 19.
Dr. Christie Boronico came to UNH from Rutgers University in the fall of 2005 with many years of experience in higher education. She began her work in the Career Services area and soon came to know the people of UNH through her work with Strategic Plan development. In 2006 she accepted the challenge of developing UNH’s Experiential Education agenda and over the next four years she worked with faculty, staff, students, and community partners to build UNH’s reputation nationally as a leader in experiential education. “Those who worked closely with her remember that the details of defining and planning strategies for building the experiential education platforms included pins, balloons, photos, celebrations, and recognition of excellence,” said Linda Morris on Boronico’s behalf.
In 2010 she moved to the Enrollment Management Division to explore the student experience as it relates to retention and student success. In the last three years she has helped to define the First Year Experience, and worked with special populations such as Veteran students to inspire campus wide conversations on their transitional needs creating programs and processes recognized as best practice within and outside the institution. “We will miss her creativity, optimism, enthusiasm, and her willingness to take on any new project assigned,” said Morris.
In recognition of her departure, Dr. Boronico stated, “Dear Friends, this is not a farewell note, but rather a reflection on the wonderful memories I’ve gathered during my time working within the UNH community. UNH is a community of faculty, administration, staff and alumni who are dedicated to ensuring that our students grow to their potential through academics, experiences, and leadership. Some of my greatest satisfactions have come from working with UNH faculty completing the NSEE Experiential Education Academy, (more than any other institution in the US); and UNH students inducted into the Society for Experiential Education (SEE members not only have two experiences in their academic program but also perform in the top 20% of their class); and to have played a small part in supporting UNH’s work to become a veteran friendly campus (We’ve Got Your 6!) I am grateful for having had the opportunity to share these experiences with you and I am hopeful that my work at UNH may have had a positive influence on the people, processes and programs I’ve left behind. As I move forward in my new role as Vice President for Enrollment Management/Dean of Students at St. Vincent’s College, the University of New Haven will forever hold a place in my heart.
This is not a Good-Bye; but rather…See you around! Go Chargers!”
Boronico also led two United Way campaigns, setting new UNH records in fundraising for this event, and established our Day of Caring participation. She was recognized with a Faculty Excellence Award for Administrative Support in 2009 and given the Experiential Education MVP award in 2011.
Over the last few years she has worked in Enrollment Management to identify issues impacting retention and graduation and most recently has contributed to our efforts to become a veteran friendly campus.
