Morgan Hoadley ’22 was hired as a Kindergarten Behavior Technician at Mary P. Hinsdale Elementary School in Winsted, Connecticut, after graduating with a degree in criminal justice from the College of Arts and Sciences.
She says her UHart experiences helped her gain confidence that her career choice was the right one. “My professors pushed me to become the best version of myself and now I will push others to become the best version of themselves,” she says.
One of those experiences was an internship with UHart’s Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice’s Center for Social Research on The Litchfield County Opiate Task Force’s Sober Homes Project. Her role was to conduct research on the ways in which operational improvements can be made to addiction and recovery homes in Connecticut.
Morgan explained that when she started her academic journey at UHart in Hillyer College, she thought a criminal justice degree would only prepare her for a career in law enforcement, or for law school. “I realized, with the help of my professors, that criminal justice is so much more than becoming an attorney or a police officer. I learned about the many different aspects of criminal justice and that I could pursue my goal of helping others in the ways that many don’t think about.”
She says her favorite memory at UHart is taking the Hillyer College Honors Winterterm course at the University of Hawaii at the end of her sophomore year. “Getting the opportunity to go to such a beautiful place and learn about the history and culture of Hawaii with my best friends is something I will never forget.”
Her advice for incoming students is don’t be afraid to try new things. “From clubs to classes, everything you try can open amazing doors in the future.”
Morgan Hoadley ’22, Criminal JusticeMy favorite thing about UHart is the sense of belonging you feel when you get to campus. I was so nervous to start college but as soon as I stepped onto campus back in 2018, I felt like I was home.