Blue & Gold Chats

Let's chat!

Join us for Blue & Gold Chats, a dynamic webinar series designed exclusively for the UMass Dartmouth community featuring engaging discussions and presentations led by alumni, faculty, and staff.

From career development and industry trends to cutting-edge research and thought-provoking discussions on today’s most relevant issues, each webinar offers a unique learning experience. Gain valuable insights from the UMass Dartmouth’s family of experts– alumni who are leaders in their fields, faculty renowned for their expertise, and dedicated staff who are passionate about our community. Blue & Gold Chats allow you to participate in live Q&A sessions, connect with fellow attendees, and expand your professional and personal networks.

Upcoming Blue & Gold Chats

The Blue & Gold Chat series continues this spring with presentations from alumni on a wide variety of interests and topics. Follow the links to register for each webinar.

From Side Hustle to Mainstream with Sailynn Doyle ’00

April 24, 6:00 pm

Join us for a Blue & Gold Chat, From Side Hustle to Mainstream: How Side Gigs Are Reshaping Work & Well-Being with Sailynn Doyle ’00. Discover how side gigs can help you balance career success and well-being, while taking control of your time, money, and flexibility!

Unlocking the Power of Therapy Dogs with Sandy McConnell ’97

May 22, 6:00 pm

Join us for a Blue & Gold Chat, Unlocking the Power of Therapy Dogs with Sandy McConnell ’97. She will introduce us to therapy dogs specially trained to provide emotional support and comfort to individuals in times of need, making them invaluable in improving mental, emotional, and even physical well-being!

Watch a past Blue & Gold Chat

If you missed a Blue & Gold Chat, check here for a recording of the webinar.

The Art of Engineering with Mike McCarthy '99

Original date: March 19, 2024

Mike McCarthy ('99) presents "The Art of Engineering" as part of the Blue & Gold Chat series.

Navigating Post-Pandemic Stress with Lisa St. Laurent '87

Original date: February 20, 2024

Lisa St. Laurent ('87) presents "Navigating Post-Pandemic Stress" as part of the Blue & Gold Chat series.

Drawing a Superhero's World with Craig Rousseau '93

Original date: October 24, 2023

Craig Rousseau ('93) presents "Drawing a Superhero's World" as part of the Blue & Gold Chat series. Rousseau, a renowned comic book artist, has drawn for many popular Marvel and DC comics. Watch your favorite superheroes come to life.

Inside the CIA with Joe Augustyn '69

Original date: September 20, 2023

Joe Augustyn '69 discusses his career in the CIA and his experiences dealing with homeland security, counterterrorism, and intelligence issues in the latest Blue & Gold Chat.

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence with Erica Sylvia '15, JD '17

Original date: August 8, 2023

Attorney and UMass Law adjunct professor Erica Sylvia '15, JD '17 explores the implications of artificial intelligence using a legal lens.

Leadership Lessons with Peter de Silva '84

Original date: July 18, 2023

National financial services executive Peter de Silva '84 will speak on professional leadership and career development. As a prominent trailblazer in the industry for over 35 years and bestselling author of "Taking Stock," de Silva offers an exclusive perspective on past and present financial and leadership crises that transformed him into a steadfast leader.

A History of Putin's 2022-2023 War: The Role of American Weapons, Ukrainian Resistance, and Russian Folly in the Largest Conflict in Europe Since WWI

Original Date: Monday, March 13
Presented by Brian Glyn Williams, professor of history

Professor of History Brian Glyn Williams' latest lecture comes after the one-year anniversary of the war and will feature Williams' expertise as a "historicizer" of contemporary warfare, including his time spent working for U.S. Central Command in the war in Afghanistan, to provide a chronicle of the war that millions have followed, but whose recent history remains largely untold. Williams is the author of three books on imperialism and warfare in Ukraine and Russia and has spent time in this disputed region going back to the late Soviet period.

For his articles on Russia and photographs of fieldwork in Ukraine and other warzones, please visit his website.

Phase Two in the Ukraine War: Repulse

Original Date: Wednesday, March 9
Presented by Brian Glyn Williams, professor of history

Professor of History Brian Glyn Williams presented a second installment in the Blue & Gold Chatc series focused on the Russian war in Ukraine. "Phase Two in the Ukraine War: Repulse" discussed the potential turning point in the largest war in Europe since World War II. Dr. Williams provided a retrospective chronological analysis of the fighting thus far, weigh in on Russia's tactical failures, and assess the future of Putin's invasion as Western weapons continue to flow to Ukraine.

For Dr. Williams' most recent works, please see his article on his experience of living with the Russian-repressed Crimean Tatars in the Crimea published in The Conversation titled "Why Crimean Tatars are Fearful as Russia Invades the Ukraine." Williams has made a digital copy of his book, "The Crimean Tatars: From Soviet Genocide to Putin's Invasion," available for free. For his articles on Russia and photographs of fieldwork in Ukraine and other warzones, please visit his website.

Understanding the Russian war in Ukraine

Original Date: Wednesday, March 9
Presented by Brian Glyn Williams, professor of history

Professor of History Brian Glyn Williams presents "Javelins, Dictators, Insurgents, and Sanctions. Understanding the Ukrainian War," exploring how the two countries have reached the point of armed combat. Professor Williams shared his expertise garnered from his time spent in the Ukraine and Russia going back to the Soviet period to infuse the largest military engagement in Europe since World War II with political, military, and historical context. Williams, a Russian speaker who has worked for the CIA's Counter Terrorism Center and U.S. Army, has written three books on Russian military expansion in Ukraine and Chechnya. For his articles on Russia and photographs of fieldwork in Ukraine and other warzones, please visit his website.

Strategies for being trans-inclusive

Original Date: Tuesday, April 6
Presented by Dr. Juli Parker, assistant dean of students and director of UMassD’s Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality

Dr. Juli Parker guides viewers in understanding different gender identities and provides tips on how to be in ally in the classroom and the workplace. 

Photojournalism Today

Original Date: Wednesday, February 24
Presented by Peter Pereira '92

Award-winning photographer and photojournalist Peter Pereira '92 discusses the role of photojournalism in telling the stories behind current events. As the field photojournalism evolved over the years and media outlets grew to include social media platforms, Pereira will speak on how the news is presented through photography, and how that informs our understanding. He will also share his work from 2020, including coverage of the Black Lives Matter movement, the pandemic, and more.

A design pedagogy full circle

Original date: Wednesday, January 27
Presented by James Grady '99

Watch James Grady's recent Blue & Gold Chat on his work and experience over the past 20 years that has brought him from design firms to his career today as assistant professor of graphic design at Boston University and principal of Design Axl, a company he founded.

Carbon Neutrality: Achieving a net zero carbon footprint by 2030

Original date: October 28, 2020
Presented by Jamie Jacquart

Jamie Jacquart, Assistant Director of Campus Sustainability at UMassD, discusses “Carbon Neutrality: How to Achieve a Net Zero Carbon Footprint by 2030” in our next Blue & Gold Chat. Jacquart is currently working to create an energy master plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. The Princeton Review has cited UMassD as one of the most environmentally responsible colleges in the nation.

Designing world-class software experiences

Original date: Tuesday, September 15
Presented by Kevin Braun '95

Kevin Braun '95 will share reasons software projects fail and how design is essential in preventing those outcomes. He will also share how his UMassD experience prepared him for a career in design. Over his 24 years of software design and development experience, Braun has improved the user experience for world-class companies including MIT, Harvard, Cisco Systems, Keurig, and UpToDate, and other industry leaders in healthcare, insurance, automotive, mobile devices, luxury apparel, and consumer goods.

Biking across the U.S. for cancer

Original Date: Thursday, September 3
Presented by John Ferguson '17, MBA '20

John Ferguson '17, MBA '20 as he shares how he planned and executed a 4,000-mile trip across the country to support young adults affected by cancer. He will share stories and pictures from his 4K For Cancer ride to support the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

Adjusting to a virtual learning environment

Original date: August 26, 2020
Presented by Brittany Raposa '12, JD '15

UMass Law Alumni President and UMassD alum Brittany Raposa '12, JD '15 offers strategies that can lead to success in a virtual learning format. She will provide insights on how to adjust to our new normal. Raposa currently serves as Director & Professor of Bar Support at Roger Williams University School of Law.

Tips for learning a foreign language

Original date: August 25, 2020
Presented by Shaelyn Floria, MAT '12

Shaelyn Floria, MAT '12 shared best practices and strategies to learning a foreign language. Floria is currently the Spanish Department Chair at Douglas High School in Douglas, MA.

Scott Tingle '87, NASA Astronaut

Original date: August 18, 2020

Scott is a U.S. Navy Captain and served as a flight engineer on the International Space Station for the Expedition 54/55. He shared his experience living and working in low-Earth orbit for 168 days on the Space Station and took questions from the virtual audience.

An Alumni Guide to Your Financial Future

Presented by UMassD Alumni Association Board members Greg McCarthy '13, Nelson Linhares '99, MBA '01, and Roger Dugal ’70, JD ’89
Original date: June 23, 2020

Alumni Board members share valuable advice with new graduates and students on topics such as saving for retirement, rental contracts, and credit and loans.

Managing Human Capital

Presented by Elaine Varelas '79, managing partner at Keystone Partners
Original date: June 2, 2020

This webinar discusses how businesses can manage their workforce during this time of transition, explains the options for businesses that need to manage human capital and addresses how the options affect employees.

Updates on COVID-19: Symptoms, Transmission, and Emerging Evidence

Presented by College of Nursing & Health Sciences faculty:
Nancy W. Street, PhD, PNP-BC, Julia and Harold Plotnik Professor of Global Nursing; Marianne Sullivan, DNP, Director UMassD Health Services; Monika Schuler, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor; and Amanda Howland, RN, MSN '20
Original date: May 19, 2020