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The lifeblood of the University of New Haven are the faculty and staff members who dedicate their lives to helping our students reach their goals. Periodically, we’ll introduce you to a member of the staff so you can learn more about them – beyond their day-to-day work.

Next up is Ryan Noonan ’20, ’23 M.S., the University’s manager of military and veteran affairs, who enjoys Mad Men, music, and mixology.

Renee Chmiel: Please tell us about your military service.
Ryan Noonan: I am a Marine Corps Veteran, and I served from 2006 to 2010. I served primarily as a diesel mechanic (3521) working on Humvees, 7-tons, and Mine Resistant Armor Protected vehicles (MRAPs), and I earned a secondary MOS (military occupational specialty) as a combat marksmanship coach (0933). That job had me teaching Marines the fundamentals of rifle and pistol marksmanship and running firing ranges for qualifications. I also served as a machine gunner on the mine roller vehicle on convoys, the acting Regimental Color Sergeant for the “famous” 6th Marine Regiment, a heavy equipment forklift operator, and as a logistics clerk in the S-4 shop. I deployed twice to Iraq: once in 2007 as a combat replacement to Fallujah, and again in 2009 with Regimental Combat Team 6 (RCT-6) to Ramadi.

RC: What do you like best about fall?
RN: I love the change of seasons and the colors of fall. There’s nothing better than driving through New England while the leaves are changing, and I love riding my motorcycle during this time of year. I also participate in a yearly Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve hockey game at the Wonderland of Ice in Bridgeport.

RC: What is your favorite TV show?
RN: When it was airing, I loved Game of Thrones (except the last season or two), but I am also a big fan of Mad Men, The West Wing, the Sopranos, the Last Kingdom, and most definitely Yellowstone.

RC: What did you like best about being a student at the University?
RN: I really loved the faculty members and their considerable experience in their field. As a national security major, I really valued the input, guidance, and leadership the faculty members bestowed upon me, especially because they are true industry professionals – who better to learn from? They pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged me academically, which was ultimately the best thing for me.

RC: Do you have any special skills or talents?
RN: I’ve been a musician since I was a kid, and I started in choir, violin, and trumpet before shifting to guitar. I’ve been self-taught on guitar since around 7th/8th grade, and I used to play and sing in a band after my time in the Marine Corps. I also play hockey a few times a week, and I fancy myself a good cook and home mixologist.

RC: What kind of music do you listen to?
RN: I don’t usually limit myself musically to one genre or another. I like a wide variety of bands and artists, but my favorites are Parmalee, Sevendust, Matt Maeson, Tyler Childers, Morgan Wallen, Oasis, and John Mayer. I’ve actually met and hung out with Parmalee and Sevendust on a couple of occasions! I really like anything I can teach myself to perform.

RC: What do you like best about your role at the University of New Haven?
RN: I really love being able to connect and support student veterans at the University. When I first went back to school in 2016, I was borderline antisocial and only focused on school and studying, and it wasn’t until I came to the University of New Haven that I really broke out of my shell when I started the VA Work Study Program. My supervisor and mentor really helped me grow personally, academically, and professionally, and I credit her with a big part of where I am today.

I hope to be this same influence for our veteran students and military-affiliated students on campus. One of the biggest challenges veterans face is transitioning back to civilian life after years or decades in the military, and if I can make that transition even a little easier, and help them integrate into higher education, then I see that as a success and a win. The military and veteran community at the University is such a diverse and unique population, and I hope I can be the advocate they need and deserve.