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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 him or her – beyond their day-to-day work.

Next up is Danielle Desjardins ’17 M.A., coordinator for Transfer and Veteran Success and University Veterans Representative, who is hard at work on her doctoral dissertation this summer.

Renee Chmiel: What is something you enjoy doing during the summer?
Danielle Desjardins: Working in my garden. My last name means “of the garden” in French, so having a green thumb is in my blood. I typically grow cucumbers, tomatoes, cilantro, and peppers. Also, getting to spend time outside is always ideal!

RC: What is your favorite thing to cook?
DD: I love, love, love to cook. Some of my favorite things to cook range from gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches to stuffed chicken breast and roasted veggies. I’ve never been a person to follow a recipe, so I just trust my gut and go with what makes sense. Most recently, I invested in an air fryer and, wow, what a difference that makes!

RC: What was the best vacation you ever took?
DD: My best vacation was spent in Cuba as a graduation gift (to myself) after I finished my master’s degree at the University in 2017. While it was a cruise, and we were only there for a few days, Cuba was awesome! Nothing was modern, the buildings were so colorful, and the food was absolutely unreal. If you have the chance, to go, go! Explore the culture, eat the food, listen to the stories of the country, and really immerse yourself in the experience.

RC: Does your family have a history of military service?
DD: I never served in the military, but I came from a family that did. My grandfather served in the Army during WWII, and my uncle served in the Navy for more than 25 years. I grew up in a household that very much respected military service and service to our country. When I was in high school, I remember telling my mom that I “wanted to join the Army like grampa,” but mom had other plans for me.

Working with our student vets now is kind of my way of serving without actually putting on the uniform. I adore them and value everything that they bring to our community. I am grateful for all that they have taught me. There is never a dull moment in my office or in the Veterans Center, and I am really proud of the family we have created.

RC: How have you been staying busy during the quarantine?
DD: I wish I could say that I spent this quarantine time doing something fun, but I am also a doctoral student so this time has been spent doing homework and research for my dissertation. However, to stay active, I have delved really deep into yoga practice, and I can easily say that practicing yoga is the only thing that has kept me from going crazy being home.

RC: What is your favorite type of ice cream?
DD: Ben & Jerry’s Salted Caramel Core is, hands down, my favorite. Throw it in a waffle cone, and you have the most incredible snack (or meal).

RC: What’s on your summer reading list?
CL: Essential Statistics for Behavioral Science Research; I’m taking a stats class for my program and needless to say, it is taking up a lot of my free time.