Gateway Recognizes 67 Outstanding Students

Each year, Gateway’s Academic Affairs Department celebrates outstanding achievement at its downtown New Haven campus. The Faculty of the Year and Staff of the Year were honored as well.

"Congratulations, to CT State Community College Gateway's academic award winners. On behalf of all the campus faculty, staff and leaders, I commend you for your persistence, perseverance, hard work, and dedication to your studies. The awards 67 students received this evening recognize their journey of learning and growth. Congratulations on a job well done," cheered Thomas Coley, Ph.D., who is Interim campus Chief Executive Officer and serves as a member of CT State President John Maduko, M.D.’s Cabinet.

Faculty of the Year was awarded to Elizabeth Keefe, Professor of English and Communications. Jamicia Lackey, Interim Campus Director of Institutional Research for Gateway and Housatonic earned Staff of the Year.

Chef William Stewart said Rich Lint is an exceptionally dedicated student who has made a significant impact on the college community. Lint, Gateway’s 2025 Student of the Year, is the chair of the Culinary Club and coordinated the production of Gateway’s first cookbook, available on campus for $20. The cookbook was published in May, the result of an ambitious collaboration between Culinary and Hospitality students and students in the Nutrition and Dietetics, Graphic Arts, English, and Photography programs.

Said Stewart, “His leadership extends beyond the club, as he tutors classmates, works multiple jobs in the culinary industry, and serves as a certified ServSafe instructor and proctor. Despite his demanding schedule and responsibilities as a parent, Rich consistently supports and uplifts his peers”.

Gateway plans to award more than 900 credentials at its upcoming graduation ceremony. Matthew DuHaime earned an academic award and will earn a Certificate in Water Management at Commencement on May 22 at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater in Bridgeport. Public Utility Management Program Coordinator Wesley Winterbottom commended DuHaime for completing a “very technical, regulatory, and management certificate program in a short amount of time”.

Business Professor Donald Walker recognized Jaleel Harris for his understanding of the accounting course material and said Harris engaged other students so they too could advance. Harris who served as Vice President of the Student Government Association also participated in a political science opportunity at the Connecticut General Assembly.

Professor Eric Flynn nominated Victor Jimbo for an academic award in recognition of his outstanding performance in Electronic Engineering Technology. Victor holds a cumulative GPA of 3.57 and an exceptional 3.97 GPA within his engineering coursework. Victor plans to enlist in the U.S. Navy officer training to pursue a career in electrical and nuclear engineering. Flynn said, “He is an exemplary student”.

Gateway is the largest campus of CT State Community College and served 8,200 students each semester of the 2024/25 academic year, an increase in enrollment of more than 4 percent year over year. It will award more than 900 credentials at commencement. Gateway is a majority minority campus. In 2024/25, more than 2900 students accepted Pell grant assistance and 48 percent were eligible for free tuition under the state-supported Mary Ann Handley Award.