February 23, 2026
Tell us about yourself.
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—something I was able to achieve through my employment at Yale—which has made me feel even more rooted in New Haven. I officially earned my Registered Dietitian license this past October and in May, I will graduate with my Master of Public Health degree from the University of New Haven, an accomplishment made possible through Yale’s tuition reimbursement program and employee discount. Outside of work and academics, I love staying active, exploring New Haven’s incredible food scene, and supporting local restaurants. I’ve truly immersed myself in everything Yale and New Haven have to offer, and I’m grateful to be part of such a vibrant community.
Tell us about your job search experience.
While I was taking prerequisite classes at Gateway Community College, I received an email from the New Haven Hiring Initiative (NHHI) about job opportunities at Yale. The week prior, I saw a TikTok that said if you want to gain employment within a company, you need to find the right person and introduce yourself directly. That advice stuck with me. Instead of just reading emails from NHHI and its partners, I decided to take action — I reached out to the NHHI team personally, introduced myself, and expressed my interest. By meeting directly with the team, I realized I had the qualifications to apply for a manager role at Yale. I found myself with interviews the following week. After three rounds of interviews, I was offered the position. Nearly five years later, I’m still here — grateful that one email, one piece of advice, and one bold introduction helped open the door to a career that has supported my professional growth, education, and long-term goals in New Haven.
Tell us about your current roles at Yale.
I currently serve as the Hospitality Operations Manager (HOM) at Timothy Dwight College (Go Red Lions), where I facilitate daily operations within the unit and oversee food purchasing in alignment with department standards. I manage the execution of our menus for everyday meal service and special events for consistency, quality, and a welcoming dining experience.
One of the most meaningful parts of my role is mentoring and leading our team, while also learning from them every day. I’m fortunate to work alongside an incredibly talented managerial team and an amazing staff that I truly enjoy being boots-on-the-ground with. Most of all, I value my interactions with the students. I make it a point to learn their names and build genuine relationships with them. It’s not lost on me that this is my workplace, but it’s also their home. The dining hall may be where we prepare and serve meals, but for students, it’s a place to unwind, build community, and create memories. If we have anything to do with it, those memories will be some of the best ones!
You have held multiple positions within Yale Hospitality since you first joined the university. What was the experience like moving from one role to another? How does the culture of learning and development at Yale impact you?
Within five years, I’ve had the opportunity to work in four different dining halls, each with its own unique identity and culture. Every transition challenged me in new ways and taught me something different about leadership, adaptability, and myself. Moving from one role to another required me to reshape my management style to fit the team and environment I was in. I’ve never wanted to feel stagnant, and each space pushed me to expand my skill set and grow as a more intentional leader.
Yale’s culture of learning and development has played a significant role in that growth. From the beginning, I was provided training and support to strengthen both my operational and leadership skills. Through resources like Lobster Ink and Workday Learning, I’ve had access to courses ranging from food safety to conflict resolution and management development. Having those tools readily available reinforces the idea that growth here is not only encouraged — it’s expected.
I’ve also been fortunate to have an incredible mentor, Deanna Kimmerly, my General Manager during my time at Davenport. She helped shape me into the manager I am today by being patient, encouraging, and consistently reminding me to believe in myself. One of her favorite phrases was, “Jovan, you’ve got to be dialed in,” and that mindset has stayed with me. She continues to be a steady source of guidance and is a big part of why I approach my work with focus, intention, and pride.
What advice do you have for other job-seekers?
What has helped me the most on my journey has been access to opportunity, mentorship, education, and resources. Yale provides so much, but you must be intentional about taking advantage of it. From comprehensive healthcare and tuition reimbursement to campus events and affinity groups that connect you with like-minded people, the opportunities are there.
To anyone with similar career goals, I would say: be bold and bold with a plan. You truly have nothing to lose and everything to gain. My life has changed for the better since joining Yale, and while I know I’m not yet at my full potential, I’m confident I can reach it because of the resources and support available to me here. While you’re here, leave no stone unturned. Be grateful for where you are, but don’t be afraid to strive for more. One day you’ll look back knowing you gave it everything you had, and your future self will thank you for it.
What is next for you?
As graduation approaches this May, I find myself in a season of reflection. I’ve been in some form of school for my entire time at Yale, balancing full-time work, academics, family, and friendships. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, but I’m also excited to discover who I am when I’m not constantly juggling those responsibilities. Traveling is one of my favorite things to do, and I’m even planning a cross-country trip to celebrate reaching this milestone and to step into this next chapter with intention.
Professionally, I look forward to continuing to grow within Yale Hospitality and applying the skills I’ve gained through my MPH and Dietitian credential to strengthen our department and the communities we serve. I’m especially interested in expanding my campus involvement, including becoming more engaged with the Yale Black Culture Network (YBCN) and other affinity spaces.
This next phase feels less about proving something and more about becoming — leaning into my growth, deepening my impact, and fully embracing who I am beyond the classroom.