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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 Ron Quagliani ’93, ’05 M.S., ’14 M.S., associate vice president of public safety and administrative services, a West Haven Native who knows the best part of a loaf of Italian bread.

Renee Chmiel: What about the new year are you most looking forward to?
Ron Quagliani: I’m excited to continue to be a part of the many changes and growth of the University, and I look forward to celebrating our Centennial. I look forward to meeting the challenges that the new decade will bring for public safety.

I serve as the chairman of the West Haven City Council, and I look forward to continuing to represent the West Haven community.

My children, Olivia Quagliani ’19 and Ron Quagliani Jr. ’23, are continuing to take their next steps in their academic development, as Olivia is in graduate school and Ron is enjoying his first year at the University. My wife and I look forward to traveling more to our favorite destination: Aruba.

RC: Tell us about the best meal you’ve ever had. What made it so special?
RQ: My favorite meals are Sunday dinners at home with my family. Although I enjoy going out to eat, there is nothing better than sitting around the table enjoying a nice meal with my large family, fighting over who gets the "heel" of the Italian bread. My wife, Tracey, makes a mean pasta sauce.

RC: What is one item on your bucket list? Why?
RQ: I have been fortunate to do most of the things I have wanted to do in life, which for me revolves around family, work, and public service. These are all important to me. I was blessed to serve West Haven as a police officer for 25 years, serving as chief of police for five years before coming to the University.

RC: Do you have any unusual/hidden talents?
RQ: I am an average guy, but I think I am really good at dealing with crises and with difficult situations. I can also hold my own on the racquetball court and on the firing range. I belong to the "left-handers club," even though the nuns in elementary school tried hard to "correct me."

RC: Tell us about your first car.
RQ: I spent $500 on my first car, an old, used Pontiac LeMans with a hood that wouldn’t close all the way. It burned so much oil that I had to keep a case of oil at the ready in the trunk of the car. My mom’s car was much cooler, a Plymouth station wagon with push-button transmission.

RC: Which season is your favorite?
RQ: Winter, since winter means snow and ice. This means getting up at 4 a.m. to fulfill the "other duties as assigned" part of my job – delaying or canceling classes due to inclement weather.

RC: When inclement weather hits, how do you decide if/when the University will be closed?
RQ: We closely monitor the forecast and road and campus conditions. We also work closely with local authorities, as well as area colleges and our Facilities team. Our first priority is safety, and we balance that with the many academic classes and events that occur at our campuses every day and night. We typically give plenty of notice of an inclement weather delay or cancellation (before 6 a.m. on the day of a storm), but we always get those calls days in advance of a forecasted snowfall asking if classes will be delayed or cancelled!