The Charger Blog
The words Ӱԭpower onӰԭ capture the UniversityӰԭs transformative impact on students, as well as how Chargers draw support from each other and their own sense of purpose as they activate, engage, and power on their goals and dreams.
December 8, 2023
When Nicole Harry Ӱԭ23, Ӱԭ25 M.S. stood in front of the Charger statue on the University of New Haven campus and shared what the words Ӱԭpower onӰԭ mean to her, she thought of her own experiences as a first-generation student. As she looked into the camera, she projected her power as she shared her own story of determination and perseverance.
Harry was speaking as . Harry endeavored to empower and encourage members of Charger Nation as she spoke on camera.
ӰԭI had to turn dust into gold,Ӱԭ said Harry, a candidate in the UniversityӰԭs graduate program in cellular and molecular biology. ӰԭI had to find my power within to succeed no matter what trials and tribulations I went through. It is important that you never lose sight of your power. Hone into it and hold onto it and empower yourself daily because at the end of the day, it is up to you to be the master creator of your own reality here at the University of New Haven.Ӱԭ
The video was shown to members of the University community as part of a brand launch celebration. It was an exciting event to officially introduce the UniversityӰԭs new Ӱԭpower onӰԭ brand and its messaging, its design, and its colors. It also encouraged Chargers to reflect on what Ӱԭpower onӰԭ means to them and how those two words encapsulate the UniversityӰԭs mission, forward-looking approach, resolve, and action-oriented mindset.
For Sheahon Zenger, Ph.D., interim president of the University, the new brand is another opportunity to emphasize the UniversityӰԭs commitment to students.
ӰԭOur faculty and staff are the arms and legs who get the work done, and our students are our purpose,Ӱԭ he said. ӰԭOur students are our why. This is all about the students. People often remark to me that our students are different, they have a real sense of purpose. I am so proud of them.Ӱԭ
As part of the event, Bruce Barber, professional in residence and general manager of the UniversityӰԭs award-winning radio station , led a panel discussion about the development of the brand. It brought together Dr. Zenger; Sue Pranulis, Ӱԭsenior executive director of marketing and communications; and Lesley Bielby, CEO of , the renowned New York City-based creative agency with whom the University collaborated on the campaign. The agency has worked with such well-known brands as Pfizer, CVS, and Samsung.ӰԭӰԭӰԭӰԭ
If youӰԭre familiar with successful campaigns such as ӰԭAmerica runs on Dunkin,Ӱԭ youӰԭre familiar with BielbyӰԭs work. She and DiGo were charged up to listen to what Chargers had to say about the University, and they wanted to include feedback from students, alumni, faculty, and staff in creating the UniversityӰԭs new brand. They did just that Ӱԭ conducting 70 stakeholder interviews and 1,500 external surveys, as well as through focus groups with students. They soon saw a common theme emerge: Chargers believe we have the power to change the world.
ӰԭWe behaved like prospective parents of students,Ӱԭ explained Bielby as part of the panel discussion. ӰԭWe found the University is a magical place. When you come here, something happens, like a switch is flipped. The University brings that out of you Ӱԭ itӰԭs about giving you the forum, the circumstances, and the opportunities to flip your own power on, whatӰԭs already within you.Ӱԭ
, as well as ChargersӰԭ dedication to making a difference. It also captures what makes the University unique, as well as the characteristics that unite the Charger community.
Evidence of the new brand can now be seen across campus and online. It is depicted in the banners on campus and on the UniversityӰԭs website, something that has many Chargers Ӱԭ and Bielby Ӱԭ charged up.
ӰԭThose two words, Power On, arenӰԭt just a tagline but a rallying cry,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭIf thatӰԭs what youӰԭre about and you live it every day, itӰԭs amazing what happens.Ӱԭ
It was BielbyӰԭs idea to create the video that featured Harry and her fellow Chargers. The idea was to get ChargersӰԭ candid reactions to Ӱԭpower on.Ӱԭ Students discussed how they power on and how they power through to achieve success. Students, faculty, and staff discussed several critical themes, such as connection, inspiration, community, and support.
ӰԭStudents are coming here to power on their careers,Ӱԭ said Toyin Niyi Folorunso Ӱԭ24 M.S., a candidate in the UniversityӰԭs graduate program in finance and financial analytics who hails from Nigeria, as part of the video. ӰԭThe resources, the professors, so many people that IӰԭve met on campus, theyӰԭve been very inspirational and very useful toward achieving our goals as people who come from thousands of miles to come here and experience the wonders of the American education system.Ӱԭ
As part of the event, Chargers learned how they, too, can plug into the new Ӱԭpower onӰԭ brand. They received access to tools such as PowerPoint templates and Zoom backgrounds that reflect the brand. The launch was the culminating event following a year of hard work, one that celebrates the University communityӰԭs members, mission, and meaning.
ӰԭWe were able to capture who we are with this new brand,Ӱԭ said Dr. Zenger. ӰԭAs we move forward, we need to see who we are and invest in who we are. This has been a great unifier.Ӱԭ
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