From the Classroom to the FBI: Graduate Reflects on Journey Studying National Security

For Maverick Melchiore ’25, choosing the University of New Haven meant unlocking opportunities that reached beyond the classroom. From interning with the FBI to studying abroad across Europe, Maverick made the most of every moment.

Throughout his time as a Charger, he gained real-world experience through internships, developed leadership skills, and deepened his global understanding through study abroad experiences. Below, he reflects on his last four years as a Charger.

My name is Maverick Melchiore, and my four years at the University of New Haven have provided me with invaluable knowledge, relationships, and experiences that will last a lifetime. During my undergraduate studies, I pursued a degree in National Security with a concentration in Intelligence Analysis and a minor in Russian Language and Area Studies. The classes I completed equipped me with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed within the United States’ National Security Enterprise.

My education at the University helped me land an Intelligence Analyst internship at SafeAbroad during the Summer of 2023, which subsequently led to my role as Team Lead of the Intelligence Innovation Team at SafeAbroad the following fall semester. My greatest achievement was interning at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) during the summer of 2024 and into the following academic year. This experience was both challenging and exceptionally rewarding.

Some of my most cherished memories at the University of New Haven stemmed from studying abroad, my on-campus employment, and my various interactions with fellow students and faculty at the University. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to study abroad twice while pursuing my degree.

My first study abroad experience took place in the Fall 2022 semester at the University’s campus in Prato, Italy. During my time there I had the opportunity to travel to nine different countries. My favorite memories were from my fall break trip, where my girlfriend and I traveled to Paris, Dublin, Barcelona, Geneva, Zurich, Gruyere, and Munich. Studying abroad provided me with not only great memories but also marketable skills such as adaptability, problem-solving, and a global perspective that undoubtedly assisted me in acquiring internships and job opportunities.

During the summer of 2023, I studied abroad in Poland, joining Dean Schroeder and five other students for a two-week program that offered an in-depth look at Poland’s criminal justice system. During this trip, we visited Kraków, Warsaw, and Łódź, where we interacted with law enforcement from each region and gained insights into their work. This experience emphasized the importance of learning from diverse perspectives and reinforced my interest in national security and law enforcement.

Now that I have completed my undergraduate degree, I will be pursuing my Master’s in National Security with a Concentration in Defensive Cyber Intelligence through the University of New Haven’s 4+1 program. After completing my Master’s, I will be attending training in Quantico, Virginia, in preparation for my position as an intelligence analyst with the FBI.

I am excited for what the future holds, and I could not be more proud of my time as a Charger.