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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 Josh Carbajal ’18, ’20 M.A., a success advisor in the University’s Center for Student Success, whose travels have brought him to the top of a pyramid and across the pond.

Renee Chmiel: Did you have any educators who had a particularly meaningful impact on your life?

Josh Carbajal: I immediately thought of one of my high school teachers, who I still to this day call Ms. Block out of habit. She was one of my English teachers and the advisor of our high school’s Gay-Straight Alliance. She was so supportive of me while I was exploring my gender identity and encouraged me to challenge myself. I don’t think I realized it at the time, but she became a bit of a mentor to me my senior year, and I did know that her support meant so much to me and my family. She would check in with my sister, best friend, and me during my college years after a pretty major life event. We don’t talk very much nowadays, but she still checks in with me every so often, and it means the world to me.

RC: What is your favorite holiday?

JC: Halloween has been my favorite holiday for as long as I can remember. It falls during my favorite season, and the spooky imagery and black/orange color scheme match my interests and general aesthetic. I typically spend it with friends, wearing costumes and watching horror movies. It’s hard for me to say no to a good Halloween party!

RC: What’s your favorite show to binge watch?

JC: I don’t binge watch many things these days, but I’ll binge and re-watch the Great British Baking show every so often! I enjoy how it’s less stressful than other competition shows, and I can learn about baked goods I haven’t tried before.

RC: Tell us a few fun facts about you!

JC: I love concerts. At any given point I am most likely looking forward to an upcoming show in New Haven or New York. Whenever I can afford tickets and travel, I try to support bands I like when they come to town. I have a few friends who are also University of New Haven alumni who are working musicians, and I do my best to attend their shows as well. Support your local artists!

I am a big fan of puzzles. Whether it’s a jigsaw puzzle, a word search, a sudoku with extra rules, or puzzle video games, I love a good brain teaser. I have about six or seven puzzle books at home, and all of them are at least partially complete.

I’ve climbed a pyramid! Once when I visited my family in Mexico, I visited Los Piramides de Teotihuacan. My dad and I climbed the Pyramid of the Moon with a few other family members, I was so focused on keeping my balance and taking in the view that I forgot to take decent pictures!

RC: If you could live in another place or time period, where and when would it be?

JC: I’m actually pretty happy where I am now. Living on the East Coast means I’m close to a few major cities, which comes in handy during concert season. There’s also nothing like autumn in New England, and I know I would miss that if I went anywhere else. Not to mention, I live near a lot of my family, which is important to me.

RC: What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?

JC: When I traveled abroad for the first time, I did it by myself! Traveling is something that has always made me nervous, so I’m very proud of myself for going through with a trip to England after I found out I’d be traveling alone. I was visiting a friend who lived there, which helped calm my nerves, but it was still a big step for me.

RC: What do you enjoy the most about your position at the University of New Haven?

JC: I enjoy the countless opportunities to help students cultivate their success. Getting to know their dreams and goals and then developing a plan with them to make those goals and dreams come true are the highlight of my day. I visited the Center for Student Success when I was a student, and it’s a dream come true to support students the same way the CSS staff supported me.