The Charger Blog

Success Advisor Enjoys Live Music and Exploring the World

Meet Josh Carbajal Ӱԭ18, Ӱԭ20 M.A., a success advisor in the UniversityӰԭs Center for Student Success, who says working in the center that offered him so much support when he was a student is a Ӱԭdream come true.Ӱԭ

April 25, 2023

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

Josh Carbajal Ӱԭ18, Ӱԭ20 M.A. (right) with his sister Miranda and dad Joaquin at the Grand Canyon.
Josh Carbajal Ӱԭ18, Ӱԭ20 M.A. (right) with his sister Miranda and dad Joaquin at the Grand Canyon.

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, weӰԭll introduce you to a member of the staff so you can learn more about them Ӱԭ beyond their day-to-day work.

Next up is Josh Carbajal Ӱԭ18, Ӱԭ20 M.A., a success advisor in the UniversityӰԭs 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 schoolӰԭs Gay-Straight Alliance. She was so supportive of me while I was exploring my gender identity and encouraged me to challenge myself. I donӰԭt 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 donӰԭt talk very much nowadays, but she still checks in with me every so often, and it means the world to me.

Josh Carbajal Ӱԭ18, Ӱԭ20 M.A. in front of a mural depicting two of his favorite bands in Phoenix, AZ.
Josh Carbajal Ӱԭ18, Ӱԭ20 M.A. in front of a mural depicting two of his favorite bands in Phoenix, AZ.

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. ItӰԭs hard for me to say no to a good Halloween party!

Josh Carbajal Ӱԭ18, Ӱԭ20 M.A. (left) with his roommate Vicki when they adopted their cat Edith.
Josh Carbajal Ӱԭ18, Ӱԭ20 M.A. (left) with his roommate Vicki when they adopted their cat Edith.

RC: WhatӰԭs your favorite show to binge watch?

JC: I donӰԭt binge watch many things these days, but IӰԭll binge and re-watch the Great British Baking show every so often! I enjoy how itӰԭs less stressful than other competition shows, and I can learn about baked goods I havenӰԭt 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 itӰԭs 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.

IӰԭve 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: IӰԭm actually pretty happy where I am now. Living on the East Coast means IӰԭm close to a few major cities, which comes in handy during concert season. ThereӰԭs 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.

Josh Carbajal Ӱԭ18, Ӱԭ20 M.A. (right) with his friend Eddie (left) in front of Big Ben.
Josh Carbajal Ӱԭ18, Ӱԭ20 M.A. (right) with his friend Eddie (left) in front of Big Ben.

RC: What is the most courageous thing youӰԭve 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 IӰԭm very proud of myself for going through with a trip to England after I found out IӰԭd 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 itӰԭs a dream come true to support students the same way the CSS staff supported me.

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