The Department of Student Activities would like to share difficult news that our friend, colleague and teammate within the Office of Community Outreach, Jacob “Jake” Najarian, passed away on July 15th, 2026. His obituary can be found here: https://www.holmeswatkins.com/obituaries/jacob-najarian
Jake was a beloved member of the Department of Student Activities and was truly an integral part of the Community Outreach (CO) team. He had a way of lighting up the space with his genuine care, often sipping on an iced coffee and taking time to simply connect with people. It was evident how deeply he cared about others and how meaningful this work was to him. While Jake loved a good pizza party, what he truly loved was connecting with and bringing people together.
A 2015 UConn graduate, Jake’s commitment to Community Outreach began as a student participant and continued when he joined the staff as a co-coordinator of the former Jumpstart program. He later became the Coordinator for One-Time Programs, mentoring student leaders who facilitated Community Service Days and campus-wide initiatives, including the Day of Caring, MLK Jr. Service Day, and Give & Go, in collaboration with the Office of Sustainability.
During the 2025-2026 academic year, Jake successfully launched the new Preschool BookPals which supports language and literacy development among pre-school children. More recently, Jake participated in his first Alternative Break as a Staff Learning Partner. When he returned, he was excited to share how transformative the experience had been for him.
Jaked loved his job and mentored student leaders with dependability, care, and thoughtfulness. His career was centered on service, advancing the common good, and leading with compassion. As a natural bridgebuilder, Jake wanted people to feel connected and know that they belonged. His kindness and humor helped break the ice, offer reassurance, and bring smiles to many faces.
Jake is deeply missed. We in Student Activities will do our best to honor his life and legacy by continuing the work and commitment to the community that meant so much to him.
The Office of Community Outreach will host regular drop-in hours through September 18th in the Student Union, 2nd Floor, Room 203, closest to the Student Union Theatre. Members of the University community are welcome to stop by, gather, and be in community with one another.
We are also collecting notes and cards for Jake’s family. Additional information will be shared as plans to honor Jake’s life and legacy are finalized.
Support resources:
We recognize that news of this nature may affect members of our community differently. Faculty and staff seeking support are encouraged to contact UConn’s Employee Assistance Program (1-800-676-HELP (4357). This confidential service is available 24 hours a day.
Students may access mental health and wellness support through Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) (833-308-3040). Students seeking immediate support may contact BeWell@UConn.edu or call, available 24 hours a day.
We encourage everyone to seek the care and support they may need during this difficult time.
For more information, contact: Student Activities at 860-486-9545