Congratulations to the following UConn ECE Instructors were were selected as their district’s teacher of the year.
*Indicates CT Teacher of the Year Semifinalist
By Jessica Dunn
On October 24, the University of Connecticut’s Early College Experience (ECE) Program Office along with UConn ECE Italian Faculty Coordinator, Dr. Tina Chiappetta-Miller, hosted the highly 
anticipated 3rd annual Italian Immersion Day & Quiz Bowl. The event, which took place at UConn’s Storrs campus in the Student Union Theatre, set a record for participation. Over 100 students from six high schools across Connecticut came together for a day of competitive fun, language immersion, and cultural celebration.
At this year’s event we welcomed students from Bristol Central High School, Newington High School, Plainville High School, Holy Cross High School, Torrington High School, and Southington High School. After the welcoming remarks, the students broke up into several small groups to sit in on Italian language classes with UConn graduate teaching assistants. This unique opportunity to experience college learning in an authentic college environment is a highlight of the partnership between UConn’s ECE program and Connecticut high schools.
After lunch, the head-to-head showdown of the Quiz Bowl took center stage in the theatre, where the atmosphere was electric. Excitement among the students was clear as teams answered questions covering everything from grammar and vocabulary to Italian history and geography. The competition was tight and in the end a tiebreaker was needed to separate 2nd and 3rd place.
Holy Cross High School finished in first place, Bristol Central High School in second, and third place went to Plainville High School. The MVP round was also quite lively, with Luis Hysenllari of Plainville High School taking home the medal.
UConn ECE Italian Immersion Day & Quiz Bowl serves as an important opportunity for high school students to deepen their understanding of the culture while strengthening their language skills in Italian. With about 15 high schools in Connecticut offering ECE Italian as part of their curriculum this year, it was inspiring to see so many students and instructors in attendance, celebrating their shared 
passion for the language.
We are so pleased that this event continues to grow in popularity. As part of our mission to foster a strong community of students and educators dedicated to advancing their understanding of Italian language and culture, we look forward to bringing it to you every year. The experience is not only an academic challenge but also an unforgettable cultural exchange that leaves participants with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation of Italian.
Congratulations to the 2024 winners and many thanks to all this year’s participants.
By Jessica Dunn
On November 14, 2024, the University of Connecticut’s Early College Experience (ECE) Program Office along with UConn ECE French Faculty Coordinator, Dr. Florence Marsal, hosted the annual 
French Immersion Day & Quiz Bowl on the UConn Storrs Campus. This year’s event had over 120 students attend representing nine different UConn ECE partner high schools across Connecticut. We welcomed students from Coventry High School, Daniel Hand High School, Glastonbury High School, Lewis S. Mills High School, New Fairfield High School, Wilton High School, Bristol Eastern High School, Jonathan Law High School, and Norwich Free Academy.
Students started the day in the Student Union Theatre where they heard from OECP Executive Director, Christopher Todd; the Literatures, 
Cultures, and Languages Department Head, Dr. Jennifer Terni; and the UConn ECE French Faculty Coordinator and host, Dr. Florence Marsal. Chris welcomed students and instructors to Storrs with a brief commentary on the intertwined histories of the United States and France, particularly the shared revolutionary ideals of the late 18th Century, and the significant cultural, political, and intellectual exchanges which have shaped their paths as modern democracies. Dr. Terni spoke about Technopole, the UConn dual degree in French and engineering that offers great opportunities to travel and internship in France, while Dr. Marsal individually welcomed each participating high school, and provided them with guidance on how the event would unfold. Students were encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to interact with the UConn French Teaching Assistants during the morning immersion sessions, to collaborate with their peers from across the state, and to bring their best to the afternoon’s Quiz Bowl competition.
It was evident students were excited to be at the event, and to share their passion for learning the French language. After the morning immersion sessions where students discussed a wide variety of 
topics, such as comedy, paintings, BookTubers, European travel, the Breton regional identity, and fairy tales, they mentally prepared themselves for the jeopardy-style Quiz Bowl Competition in the afternoon. To accommodate the higher number of teams who entered the competition than in years past, Dr. Marsal shifted the format of the competition. Instead of single elimination rounds, each team competed a minimum of two times this year. The teams who achieved the highest number of correct answers advanced to the next round.
This format allowed all teams to be on stage and in the spotlight at least twice, which was a great improvement from years past, but it did create very close competition! After the first rounds, five teams were tied for the most correct answers and one team with over double that number of correct answers. Norwich Free Academy was deemed the Champion with the most correct answers after the first rounds. The competition then continued with single representatives from each of the five high schools coming to center stage to battle for second and third place.
Teams were eliminated one by one as rounds progressed, leaving Bristol Eastern High School and Glastonbury High School battling for their positions. In the last minutes of the competition, Bristol Eastern came out on top, taking home 2nd place and Glastonbury High School took home 3rd place.
By Todd Blodgett
The annual Site Representative Conference was held this May at the UConn Storrs campus. The Early College Experience (ECE) program staff hosted 190 Site Representatives from 155 of our partner high schools. The morning 
kicked off with a plenary session focusing on Promising Practices at Partner Schools. Representatives from Glastonbury Public Schools, East Lyme High School, Rockville High School and University High School of Science and Engineering discussed ways they are expanding their concurrent and dual enrollment opportunities at their schools. They shared an approach that focused on creating diverse course offerings to meet the unique needs of their high school populations. Site Representatives attended breakout sessions which focused on high school specific program data, expanding access to course offerings, registration 101, a Q&A with a panel of former UConn ECE students, and information from UConn’s Center for Students with Disabilities. The conference ended with a barbecue lunch on the Student Union Terrace for attendees to enjoy a beautiful, sunny day on the Storrs campus. We look forward to having everyone back on the Storrs campus next year.
…with the prompt: Growth Mindset: Doubling Down on Success and received many fabulous submissions
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First Place: coverAkira Gunawan, New Britain High School |
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Second PlaceAlexis Mastrangelo, Enfield High School |
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Third PlaceShelby Lewis, Ridgefield High School |
By Jessica Dunn
Through a rigorous review process, the UConn Early College Experience Office scholarship committee selected six outstanding 2023-2024 UConn ECE Students as scholarship recipients. Each student has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship applicable to any institution. All recipients are high school seniors, who have completed at least one UConn Early College Experience course and have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their project submissions. Additionally, applicants are evaluated using a holistic rubric that considers various factors including academic success, future academic aspirations, and demonstrated financial need.
View the 2024 UConn ECE Scholarship Winner video.
Winners demonstrate academic achievement and a potential for future academic and professional accomplishments in a field focusing on the Arts, Humanities, and/or Social Sciences.
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ARIANNA ANDERSON Pathways Academy of Technology and Design |
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TAINA TOLSON Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts |
Winners demonstrate academic achievement and a potential for future academic and professional accomplishments in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Mathematics.
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GIANNI DRAB Robert E. Fitch High School |
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MUKTHA RAMESH Rocky Hill High School |
Winners are academically successful, are already making a positive difference in their town or neighborhood, and are inspiring others to do the same. The students chosen for this award are UConn ECE Students who demonstrate ambition and self-drive evidenced by outstanding achievement in both school and their community.
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TESSA FABIANO Stamford High School |
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DANIELLE KANTER Fairfield Ludlowe High School |
As the Office of Early College Programs works to sustain our unprecedented growth, the program continues to rely heavily on the support, insights, and dedication of our OECP student workers. Undergraduate and graduate students alike, our ECE student staff works tirelessly to provide customer service to our students and families, support student and instructor events, and keep our communication and social media presence relevant and timely. OECP has a long tradition of leveraging the power of student workers. In fact, the majority of the full-time program staff began their journey with OECP as student workers.
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Yara Medawar, Graduate Assistant
PhD Candidate, UConn, Civil and Environmental Engineering “I am very excited to join UConn’s Office of Early College Programs, where I look forward to supporting and inspiring the next generation of students. I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to contribute to innovative educational initiatives that bridge high school and college experiences, fostering academic excellence and personal growth among our students.” |
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Amanda Mueller, Student Administrative Assistant, 4 years of experience, UConn ECE Alumni
Rockville High School (‘20); UConn, Molecular and Cell Biology with a Minor in Psychological Sciences, (‘24); UConn, Genetic Counseling (Rising 1st year graduate student) “What I enjoy the most about working with UConn ECE is the kind and supportive program staff and giving back to a program that has given so much to me!” |
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Caroline Lynch, Graduate Assistant
Master’s Student, UConn, Higher Education and Student Affairs “As a former ECE student myself, I am very excited to contribute to a program that has so positively impacted my education. Additionally, I am looking forward to the opportunity to complement my graduate education in such a hands-on and valuable way!” |
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Siva Sekhar Medisetty, Graduate Student Worker/ Data Dashboard Designer
Master’s Student, UConn, Business Analytics and Project Management “I’ve truly enjoyed collaborating with my colleagues and witnessing the collective creativity and dedication that drives our work forward. Looking ahead, I’m excited about the innovative projects we’ll tackle together!” |
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Christ-Anne (CJ) Jean-Francois, Student Administrative Assistant, 2 years of experience, UConn ECE Alumni
Central Magnet High School (class of 2021); UConn, Political Science and Psychology major; rising junior UConn ECE Alumni “What I enjoy most about working with the ECE program here at UConn is how understanding and kind everyone on the team is, and their commitment to helping me grow in my role and fostering my independence.” |
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Emma Winston, Student Administrative Assistant, 2 years of experience, UConn ECE Alumni
Sacred Heart Academy (class of 2022); UConn, Majoring in Psychology and Philosophy; rising junior “Working with the kindest and most compassionate staff at ECE. I also love contributing to a program that assists these students in reaching higher in their education and really exploring what they’re passionate about.” |
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Whitley Sumpter, Student Administrative Assistant, 2 years of experience
Hayesville High School (class of 2022); UConn, Social Work major; rising junior During my time working with UConn ECE, I have gained many valuable skills that will not only help me in future career endeavors but in life. What I have learned has allowed me to evaluate and solve problems much more efficiently, and my confidence in my abilities to handle issues that arise inside and outside of work has grown exponentially. No matter what kind of day I am having, it is nice to know that I will be walking into a supportive work environment with staff who go above and beyond, whether I need help with a project or even just to talk. I am incredibly grateful that through UConn ECE, I have met some of the most kind and genuine people who have played a large role in shaping my experience at, and love for, UConn. |
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Julia Swanson, Student Administrative Assistant, 2 years of experience, UConn ECE Alumni
East Catholic High School (class of 2020); UConn, Elementary Education, minor in English and Speech Language Hearing Sciences; rising senior “I’ve enjoyed working with the ECE team because they foster inclusivity, support one another, and create a welcoming environment. ECE held a Christmas party that included all staff, featuring food and a gingerbread house competition, which the student staff won! The ECE staff are incredibly kind and caring, always ensuring everyone feels included and supported.” |
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Charlotte Daigle, Student Administrative Assistant, 1 years of experience, UConn ECE Alumni
Wethersfield High School (class of 2023); UConn, Major: Pre- Teaching/Elementary Education Minor: HDFS; rising sophomore “Working in the UConn ECE office I have enjoyed interacting with parents and students and seeing how helpful this program is for them when transitioning into college. Seeing that the work we put in every year pays off when we see how grateful these students are.” |
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Elizabeth Hinkson,
Student Content Creator, 2 years of experience Norwood High School (class of 2022); UConn, Nursing; rising junior “As a Content Creator at UConn ECE I have enjoyed creating innovative content for students. The supportive staff motivates me to improve daily, which has been an enriching experience.” |
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Sameul Alam, Student Content Creator, 1 year of experience, UConn ECE Alumni
Wethersfield High School (class of 2023); UConn, Marketing with a minor in Business Management & Communications; rising sophomore “As a content creator for UConn Early College Experience, I enjoyed interviewing around the UConn campus, speaking to instructors, participating in meetings, and being motivated by the supportive community within the office.”
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Brayden Bloom, Student Content Creator, 6 months of experience, UConn ECE Alumni
Ridgefield High School (class of 2023); UConn, Finance; rising sophomore “UConn Early College Experience has given me the chance to work with some amazing people and get more involved. I really enjoy getting to meet new students and staff every day, as well as getting to be more comfortable with our campus.”
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By Stefanie Malinoski
Throughout the 2024-2025 academic year, UConn Early College Experience partnered with dedicated Faculty Coordinators to offer 50 professional development workshops to certified Instructors. These opportunities were designed to enrich teaching practices, foster interdisciplinary connections, and broaden educators’ perspectives. Some highlights from the spring semester are below. Please be sure to review the UConn ECE Professional Development Blog on the UConn ECE website for details from all spring workshops and pictures from the events.
Dr. Morty Ortega, ECE Faculty Coordinator for Environmental Science, met with 32 Environmental Science Instructors for a “Journey through Ecotoxicology” with graduate student Anika Agrawal. Ecotoxicology focuses on studying the effects of toxic chemicals such as pesticides, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals on ecosystems. Anika Agrawal, a PhD Candidate in Natural Resources and the Environment (NRE) at UConn studies the effect of mercury in oysters in the Long Island Sound.
UConn ECE Faculty Coordinators from Spanish, Profs. Gustavo Nanclares and Eduardo Urios-Aparisi met with more than 60 Spanish Instructors to listen to Prof. Maria Acosta Cruz, Professor of Spanish in the Language, Literature & Culture Dept at Clark University. Prof. Acosta shared her talk “Ecocrítica, cultura y nación: La cultura puertorriqueña a través de cinco siglos” (“Ecocriticism, Culture, and Nation: Puerto Rican Culture Through Five Centuries”) with the teachers.
Prof. Joseph Madaus, our UConn ECE Faculty Coordinator from Educational Psychology, gathered with instructors for a virtual meeting and thought-provoking discussion with young adult author Terry Trueman. Trueman’s novel, “Stuck in Neutral,” used in ESPY 1100: Introduction to Special Education courses, offers insights into the lived experiences of individuals with cerebral palsy and sparked meaningful conversation among participants.
UConn ECE Faculty Coordinator from French, Prof. Florence Marsal met with 30 UConn ECE certified French Instructors to hear from Joëlle Vitiello, Professor of French and Francophone Studies at Macalester College for her talk “Enseigner les trésors d’Haïti” (“Teaching the Treasures of Haiti”). In addition, Mary Catherine Decoteau, Career Consultant from UConn’s Career Services, spoke to teachers about enhancing and highlighting career competencies in UConn French courses.
Dr. Tom Abbott, ECE Faculty Coordinator for Biology, met with a group of 34 UConn ECE certified Biology Instructors and embarked on a groupcampus trail walk. The theme for the daywas “In the “Heat” of the Moment, Forests Move Center Stage”. The field walk took the group through small forest stands and provided Instructors with a unique perspective on ecological dynamics and biodiversity in the Storrs area.
UConn ECE Faculty Coordinator from English, Prof. Scott Campbell and Graduate Assistant Adam McLain curated a dynamic conference for 80 UConn ECE certified English Instructors on UConn’s Hartford campus. The theme for the conference was “Inquiring About Writing: Syllabi and Texts in the ECE English High School Classroom”. From exploring literary theory and art to engaging with inquiry and identity at the Wadsworth Atheneum, the conference fostered collaborative dialogues and innovative pedagogical approaches.
Prof. Anne Gebelein, UConn ECE’s Faculty Coordinator from Latino and Latin American Studies, met with a group of 20 LLAS 1190: Introduction to Latin America and the Caribbean Instructors on the Hartford campus. The day included a presentation and discussion with special guest Lorenzo Martinez Ruiz about challenges to indigenous sovereignty in Nicaragua. Lorenzo is an indigenous leader of the Rama-Kriol peoples in southeastern Nicaragua. His firsthand insights into indigenous rights activism underscored the complexities of sovereignty and land rights issues in the region, provoking critical reflections among participants.
In addition to our spring professional development workshops, UConn ECE celebrated a significant milestone by welcoming 297 newly certified instructors into our community in May. Among them, 238 fresh faces joined us for New Instructor Orientation which was held on the Storrs campus, marking it as our largest Orientation gathering to date.
This comprehensive event covered essential aspects of Early College Experience from Instructor responsibilities to student engagement strategies. Noteworthy presentations by Student Success and Engagement Librarian, Ery Caswell, and Educational Technologies expert, Jordan Vinikoor, enriched participants’ understanding of available resources and technological tools. Additionally, instructors had the opportunity to connect with their Faculty Coordinators and fellow newcomers in dedicated afternoon sessions to ensure teachers are fully prepared to begin offering UConn courses in the fall.
As the academic year draws to a close, it’s evident it has been characterized by notable achievements and successes. Looking forward, we aim to double down on these accomplishments to provide our UConn ECE community with even greater opportunities for continued growth.
By Carissa Rutkauskas
The University of Connecticut Early College Experience Program hosted the 2024 New England Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NEACEP) annual conference on Friday, May 17, 2024 in the UConn Student Union. Approximately one-hundred dual/ concurrent enrollment and early college professionals and advocates from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, as well as several experts from outside of New England were in attendance. The event was kicked off by a warm welcome by Kari Suderley, NEACEP President/ Director of Early College Programs, University of Maine and Dr. Amit Savkar, Interim Associate Vice Provost CETL, University of Connecticut.
During the Plenary Session, participants had the opportunity to hear from six program directors, a school superintendent, and a state chief performance officer as they offered insights into the landscape of dual and concurrent enrollment programs in their respective states. The panel highlighted key aspects of their programs such as program structure, partnerships, goals, achievements, and advancements, sparking further discussion and idea sharing from the audience.
A total of 14 breakout sessions were featured throughout the day, covering various aspects of early college programs, research, equity, policy, and support resources. Topics ranged from 
stakeholder perspectives on research, alumni insights, collaborative initiatives for improving early college access, and disrupting racist systems to promote student success. Sessions also delved into advanced course patterns, educator pathways, dual enrollment policies, diverse learning landscapes, career pathways advising, support for multilingual students, recognition in early college programs, targeted support for trade occupations, and a comprehensive look at Connecticut State Community College’s early college programs. The conference concluded with closing remarks from Kari Suderley, door prizes, and the distribution of certificates. Participants left with valuable insights and a growing network of connections in the field.
Special thanks to the following partners for participating in the Plenary Session:
Explore a complete list of topics, presenters, and slides on the NEACEP conference website.
