University’s Interim President Fosters Conversation and Community Among Students

When Sadie Perkins ’27 connected with her fellow members of the University’s Honors program as part of a “Z Chat” event, she says it was a fun way to learn more about their backgrounds and what brought them to the University. It was also an opportunity that, she says, she never dreamed of having: the chance to also connect with the University’s interim president.

Sheahon Zenger Ph.D., – known affectionately throughout the Charger community as Dr. Z – met with a group of honors students from a variety of majors and backgrounds. The group included first-year students such as Perkins as well as seniors. She says it meant a lot to her that Dr. Z took the time to spend time with them and to listen to their stories.

“It was a good reminder of the closeness of the school community and how it feels as though people here actually care about others,” said Perkins, a business management major. “What struck me most about the experience was that it felt as though he really listened to what we had to say. It made me feel as if I had a place here and my thoughts were really valued.”

‘He took in everything I said’

Hosted by Dr. Z, Z Chat events enable students to share their life experiences and their perspectives on life in the campus community. They also give students the chance to speak openly with the University’s interim president and to get to know him. For Olivia Hall ’25, the experience made her feel both seen and heard.

“It was very exciting to attend the Honors Z Chat with Dr. Z!” said Hall, a criminal justice major. “Having the opportunity to attend such an intimate event with the University’s president was extremely powerful. Dr. Z holds such an influential position at the University of New Haven, so getting to discuss my experience here was very important to me, as I know he took in everything I said and truly listened. That meant a lot to me.”

‘A sweet commonality’

Hall says that Dr. Z asked her and her classmates thought-provoking questions. She enjoyed meeting him, finding him to be “grounded” and “relatable.” She appreciated that he showed such interest in listening to each student discuss their experience at the University.

For Achilles Beumel ’27, the event was a wonderful way to be welcomed to the University community, as well as to the Honors program.

“To meet with Dr. Z was very meaningful to me as it demonstrated how much the staff here, no matter their position, care for the students and their success as well as their histories and futures,” said Beumel, a psychology major with a concentration in forensic psychology. “The way everyone was very keen on listening to what everyone else had to say was touching and stood out, fostering productive conversation and an inclusive environment. I will also note that the breakfast was very good, Dr. Z's favorite donuts are also my favorite, and I think that is a sweet commonality.”

‘It means a lot to me’

After they chatted over a delicious breakfast, Dr. Z gave each student a meaningful gift – a copy of The Butterfly Effect: How Your Life Matters by Andy Andrews. The book is about how everything a person does matters – and that actions have the power to make a major impact. Dr. Z has often spoken to the University community about how impressed he is by the students and how they embody “a sense of purpose.” His message resonated.

“Receiving a copy of ‘The Butterfly Effect’ from Dr. Z was very empowering,” said Hall. “The whole meaning of the Butterfly Effect is that each person has the power to be a change-maker in the world. I love that Dr. Z chose this book because it shows just how much he believes in the students here at the University of New Haven.”

For Perkins, the business management major, the book will serve as a tangible reminder of the conversations she was a part, as well as the sense of community she felt at the event. It’s also a powerful symbol of her potential.

“It means a lot to me that Dr. Z takes this time to meet with people and hear directly from students,” she said. “Each of us has different interests and ways of thinking, yet we were all recognized as Honors students. It shows the variety of people selected to be a part of the program, and the value that the University places on a diversity of thought.”