Resident advisors (RAs) help maintain peace and order in different dorm buildings across campus. They are who resident students go to when they need to complain, ask a question or just have a conversation about something.
But who can RAs go to if they ever need to complain, ask a question or talk to someone?
They can go to their area coordinator (AC). There are seven ACs across campus and most of them cover more than one building.
Martine Bernadel started the position as AC in Aug. 2021, a time when COVID impacted schooling and everyday communication. She covers Bethel Hall and University Commons which includes Park View and The Atwood.
“As an area coordinator, we – myself and my colleagues — as ACs, cover an area of halls, which is why it’s area coordinators,” Bernadel said. “We are full time university employees, 35 plus hours and heavy on the plus.”
Her coverage in the three residence buildings spans around 400 students. During her undergraduate time at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), Bernadel served as an RA and went up the ranks to become a senior RA. She said being an RA was her “best life experience.”
Bernadel also worked as a technician at Apple for four and half years where she learned about the technology they sold.
Bernadel said, “Man, Apple, what a company. Not just like the technology piece, but the way that they treat people. They got that down and that’s the only reason why I feel like as a company they thrive.”
At the job, Bernadel combined her love for science and technology and also interacted with people.
“I love this company so much that I can vouch for this as much as possible…it was great that you had a company that loved you so much or cared enough that they wanted you to develop,” she said.
After graduating from CCSU in 2012 with a degree in sociology and a minor in health care studies, Bernadel decided to take her education to the next level. She enrolled in University of Bridgeport’s MBA program and worked as a nursing admissions counselor.
Soon after, Bernadel’s father became sick and she left Bridgeport to take care of her father.
“It was a lot, so I’m glad I did it,” said Bernadel. “I would never change that decision, ever, ever in my life. I’ll do it again. But family was important to me.”
Bernadel knew she wanted to get back to school and get her master’s degree; not only for her father but for herself.
She soon accepted the position as area coordinator at the university and will receive a master’s degree in biomedical engineering when she graduates at the end of this semester.
She said, “This job is not for the weak, but it also gave me the opportunity to go back into school. This time I had the choice to make whether or not I wanted to continue business administration. Although it was really fun, it was great. I found it interesting. Science was my calling.”
Bridgeport had a similar biomedical engineering program, but imposter syndrome held Bernadel back from exploring that at the time.
“Back burner imposter syndrome had me feeling like I didn’t have enough to put into an engineering degree like math…I love science, but I didn’t know if I was brainy enough to support that,” she said.
At New Haven, Bernadel can learn about “biomedical engineering from sensors to materials biomaterials to regenerating tissue. Regenerating an organ like mind-blowing,” she said.
Since Bernadel works a full-time job while being a part-time student, she says she is unsure of what she plans to do after she graduates.
“We as women, play a huge role in being able to bring things together…having Human Services, having technology background and all of that I think helps me get to this point in my career where I’m like I think I know where I’m supposed to be, which is I’m supposed to be some sort of translator in in this field that can help connect the dots,” she said.
Women’s History Month is something Bernadel believes should be celebrated every day and said the month “reminds me of who I am, what we accomplish as a group and it reminds me that I have a place. I have a place here in society, not just as Martine, but with other women who are fighting the same adversities.”
