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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�Ӱ�ԭ��ll introduce you to a member of the staff so you can learn more about them �Ӱ�ԭ�� beyond their day-to-day work.

Next up is Ryan Noonan �Ӱ�ԭ��20, �Ӱ�ԭ��23 M.S., the University�Ӱ�ԭ��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 �Ӱ�ԭ��famous�Ӱ�ԭ�� 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�Ӱ�ԭ��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 �Ӱ�ԭ�� 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�Ӱ�ԭ��ve been a musician since I was a kid, and I started in choir, violin, and trumpet before shifting to guitar. I�Ӱ�ԭ��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�Ӱ�ԭ��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�Ӱ�ԭ��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�Ӱ�ԭ��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.