Yale University’s New Haven Hiring Initiative (NHHI) supports New Haven economic growth by connecting qualified, New Haven residents to open positions at the University.
Get to know some of the individuals who found employment at Yale through NHHI programs.
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Dae Blackman, Senior Administrative Assistant at West Campus
April 16, 2026
My name is Dae Blackman. I live in New Haven, and I am a resident of the Hill area. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication, Media, and Screen Studies from Southern Connecticut State University. While I was in college in 2019…
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Elidia Isidoro Lezama, Custodian at Yale School of Medicine
March 20, 2026
My name is Elidia Isidoro Lezama, and I am a custodian at Yale University and a proud member of Local 35 and New Haven Works. I have been working at the University…
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Jovan Bloise, Hospitality Operations Manager at Timothy Dwight College
February 23, 2026
I’m a proud first-generation American born to Jamaican parents, and my background has deeply shaped my passion for community, education, and food. I recently purchased a condo in the Quinnipiac Meadows neighborhood…
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Malik Harris, Program Assistant at the School of Management
January 2, 2026
I was born and raised in New Haven, living in the Morris Cove neighborhood all of my life. I am thankful to be a New Haven Promise Scholar and New Haven Works member.
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Linda Torres
December 10, 2025
I grew up in the Annex and currently reside in Westville. I am a New Haven Promise Scholar. I went to UCONN and graduated in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Maurice Little, Custodian at Pauli Murray College
November 24, 2025
My name is Maurice Little. I am a lifetime resident of New Haven. I grew up in Newhallville, and I’ve been doing custodial work for the last 45 years.
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Kayla Rose Lugo, Sr. Administrative Assistant at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences
October 30, 2025
I interned at Yale University in the summer of 2023 through New Haven Promise as an HR rotational intern.
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Lateisha Christian, Sr. Administrative Assistant at the Jackson School Business Office
September 26, 2025
I’m a New Haven resident, originally from Queens, New York, and I moved here in 2018…
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Mohamed Kane, Transaction Review Sr. Process Assistant at Procurement
August 29, 2025
Only a couple of years before I was born, my parents moved to New Haven from Guinea in West Africa…
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Michael Li, Sr. Administrative Assistant at the School of Management
July 7, 2025
My name is Michael Li. I currently reside in the downtown New Haven area. I am a big foodie so it’s very convenient to be able to walk around and try out the various cuisines in the area or new restaurants.
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Ashley Alexander
May 29, 2025
Ashley Alexander, Employee Services Support Specialist for the Employee Services Center, Human Resources. Ashley was hired in 2024. We spoke with her to learn about her career journey and advice…
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Lucas Sutherland
April 28, 2025
My name is Lucas Sutherland. While I was raised in Hartford, CT, I currently reside in New Haven. I enjoy hiking, listening to music, working out, going…
NHHI Manager Spotlight – Erica Penton
March 31, 2025
As a Registered Nurse with over 25 years of experience in healthcare, I joined Yale Medicine as a Senior Clinical Practice Manager…
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Jezabeth Perez Padilla
February 12, 2025
Hello, my name is Jezabeth Perez Padilla. I grew up and currently live in New Haven. I graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a…
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Adasia Beard
January 17, 2025
Hi, I’m Adasia Beard, and I’m currently working as an administrative assistant at Yale University School of Management. I was born and mostly raised in…
NHHI Hiring Spotlight–Meilena Sanchez, Retrievals Processing at Sterling Memorial Library
December 18, 2024
Hi folks! My name is Meilena Sanchez (she/her). I’m originally from Middlebury, VT, and I made the move to New Haven in 2022. Before relocating, I…
NHHI Hiring Spotlight–Gina Benson
November 20, 2024
I have been a proud resident of New Haven for most of my life. My early education at an environmental magnet school (grades K-8) sparked a lifelong…
NHHI Hiring Spotlight–Anne Funcke
October 21, 2024
My name is Anne Funcke, and I work in the Office of Development at Yale University. I grew up…
NHHI Hiring Spotlight- Madison Grady Senior Administrative Assistant
September 27, 2024
Hello! My name is Madison Grady, and I work at the Schwarzman Center at Yale University. I live in the Westville neighborhood of New Haven. I recently…
NHHI Spotlight -Lisbeth Chamba, Accounting & Financial Aide Advisor
August 29, 2024
I’m Lisbeth Chamba, a New Haven Promise Scholar and a proud first-generation college graduate. I was born and raised in New Haven, CT….
Spotlight Candidate: Ebony Lewis, Clinical Receptionist 2, YTSS
July 24, 2024
I was born and raised in New Haven, CT. During my high school years, I lived in Ansonia, CT, but I currently reside in the Beaver Hill…
Spotlight – Godfrey Harris
June 26, 2024
I’m Godfrey Harris, a clinical receptionist who got my start through the New Haven Works Pathways program. I currently reside in the New Haven area…
NHHI Spotlight – Dana Nave
May 23, 2024
Six years ago, I made the leap from the bustling streets of New York City to the vibrant community of New Haven. Landing a role as a Procurement Operations Manager…
NHHI Spotlight – Alondra Martinez
April 30, 2024
I am a proud New Haven resident and New Haven Promise Scholar. I began my career at Yale as an intern with the New Haven Hiring Initiative team. I quickly integrated into the Yale community…
NHHI Spotlight – Tyler Claxton
March 25, 2024
My name is Tyler Claxton, and I was born and raised in New Haven, CT. Growing up, I played basketball and baseball and ran track & field. I attended James Hillhouse High School and later graduated from Southern Connecticut State University…
Allegra Jones, Post Award Administrator
January 24, 2024
I was born and raised in New Rochelle, NY, but I have been a New Haven resident for over ten years. I graduated from James Hillhouse High School and dedicated all four years…
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Lia Sansoucy
December 14, 2023
I am a book lover, have a couple cats, and wear glasses and a lot of cardigans! I was born in CT but moved around a lot and really only lived in the state from 1998 to 2000 in Torrington. In mid-2022 I moved to New Haven’s Wooster Square area and am happy to be around extended family again.
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Naisha Velez
November 29, 2023
My name is Naisha Velez, I’ve been working in the medical field for over ten years. My work life revolved around ophthalmology: mainly from working as a receptionist, to running an office, and as a surgical coordinator.
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Yazmin Rosas Marin
October 30, 2023
Since moving to New Haven in 2001, I’ve deeply rooted myself in the community and its educational pursuits. I graduated from Career High School in 2014, an accomplishment that paved the way for me to become a New Haven Promise Scholar. This accolade allowed me to further my education…
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Errol Williams
October 3, 2023
Hi, my name is Errol Williams. I was born and raised in New Haven, CT. I lived in almost every neighborhood in New Haven but spent most of my years in Newhallville. A few of my favorite hobbies are playing basketball, playing chess, and listening to music. My job search experience was a grind. I had an amazing Job Coach and Yale Liaison who helped me along the way.
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Mikayla Osumah
August 29, 2023
I was born and raised in New Haven and live in the West Rock neighborhood. I attended the Engineering and Science University Magnet School (ESUMS) and am a New Haven Promise Scholar. I graduated from Quinnipiac University…
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Tyla Alexander
August 1, 2023
I was born and raised in New Haven, CT. I am a New Haven Promise Scholar and received my undergraduate degree from Connecticut College in New London, CT. I majored in Sociology and double minored in
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Julia Fraivillig
June 29, 2023
I live in downtown New Haven, which has been great for adventuring in the two years I’ve lived here. In my free time, I like to explore community events and gatherings, which are happening all the time!
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Mahasa Jenkins
May 31, 2023
My journey began with New Haven Works. I attended a meeting and got paired with an awesome Job Coach. I stayed consistent and diligent with applying to open positions.
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Todd Treichel
April 25, 2023
Todd Treichel was promoted to environmental affairs technician in May 2022 after working his way up through the Environmental Affairs Section (EAS) of Yale Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Ragini Jain
April 3, 2023
I am an ambitious career woman, the spouse of a researcher, and the mother of a beautiful daughter. My spouse and I both wanted to explore the world, so I took a leap of faith and became a trailing spouse. I quit my permanent job…
Shawnda Jenkins
February 14, 2023
I currently work as a Medical Assistant in the Yale Medicine Ophthalmology department. In my role, I assess patients’ peripheral vision to plot a map of what they can and cannot see. The Visual Field process…
NHHI Hiring Spotlight – Marco Mutonji
January 23, 2023
My name is Marco Mutonji, and I am a Certified Public Accountant with more than ten years of experience in the financial industry. For the last nine years, I have worked for Women’s Health Research at Yale (WHRY).