Farewell with Gratitude: Nella and Melanie’s Decade of Dedication

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By Christopher Todd

 

As we bid a heartfelt farewell to several long-time UConn Pre-College Summer (PCS) staff members, we celebrate the profound impact two very special staff have had on the growth and success of the program. Collectively, Nella Quasnitschka and Melanie Banks represented a combined 30+ years of experience for UConn, having served in numerous roles for the Office of Early College Programs (OECP) but also having been instrumental in the rebranding and expansion of the Pre-College Summer Program (PCS), which launched in 2014. When Nella and Melanie joined the program in 2016 with a clear mission to expand and revitalize it, their leadership played a major role in driving the program’s significant growth over the past decade. As the Director and Associate Director of Pre-College Summer respectively, their leadership, creativity, and unwavering commitment to student development transformed PCS into a nationally recognized experience
for aspiring college students. Whether it was designing engaging residential experiences, mentoring high school participants and UConn graduate students, or building strong campus partnerships, their contributions created a supportive and inspiring environment that will continue to benefit future cohorts for years to come. Their legacy is woven into the fabric of PCS—reflected in every student who left our program more confident, curious, and prepared for college life.

 

Celebrating the combined impact of Nella and Melanie is easy for members of the Office of Early College Programs team. One doesn’t have to look very hard to find their professional and personal imprints on colleagues, stakeholders and programmatic offerings. But what better way to celebrate Nella and Melanie, than to hear from some of their former PCS colleagues who capture the true impact both incredible staff members had during their time at UConn. The voices below come from former UConn Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) Graduate Students who worked directly with Nella and Melanie to support the expansion of the PCS program during their two-year Graduate Assistantships:

 

MEGAN GO
Program Coordinator | Brooklyn College AANAPISI Project (BCAP)
M.A in Higher Education and Student Affairs | University of Connecticut ’24
PCS: 2022-2024

 

Nella: thank you for giving me a wonderful experience with UConn Pre-College Summer. You made it feel like home for all the GAs and student workers, and my grad school experience wouldn’t have been the same without it! Thank you for your support throughout my time at PCS and Neag. Sending warm wishes and good vibes your way with your next steps! Also, I still have all the cool socks you gifted me. 🙂

 

Melanie: you were the first person to welcome me to Pre-College Summer in-person. Thank you for a great 2 years! You were always so caring and understanding and made the office environment a comforting place to be in, especially in the midst of grad school stress. Wishing the best for you and your family! You took such good care of the GAs at PCS, there’s no doubt that you’re giving your family the utmost love and support!

 

CODY OLSON
Academic Advisor
Commonwealth Honors College at UMass Amherst
PCS: 2018-2020

Nella: Nella is one of the most thoughtful and caring supervisors I’ve ever had. She made work fun. And even when life was complicated and challenging in the Pre-College Summer world, I knew that I would leave work smiling because of Nella’s positivity and empathy. During the pandemic, we would have 3+ hour Teams Meetings. On paper, this sounds horrible, but I loved digging into projects with Nella and innovating within our program.

 

Melanie: Melanie was a joy to work with, and I learned so much
from her in our time together. Melanie saw me transition from being an undergrad to a graduate student to a young professional and helped me each step of the way. I will forever be grateful for our friendship and her mentorship.

 

JOSEPH R. FISHER
Associate Director of Facilities Management
Harvard Radcliffe Institute
PCS: 2017-2019

 

Nella: Congratulations, Nella, on your successful tenure at UConn! I am so grateful to have been a part of your professional journey during my time as a Graduate Assistant for UConn Pre-College Summer. I remember fondly my interview with you and Melanie, your enthusiasm for the program, and interest in bringing on the first Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) graduate assistant. You helped make my 2+ year of graduate study exponentially powerful, exposing me to new projects, asking me to solve complex challenges, and pushing us all to use technology in more useful and efficient ways. I miss our PCS days so much with our dream team — and do know that your professional legacy (and laugh) will be so missed!

 

Melanie: Congratulations on a wonderful journey at UConn! I am so grateful that our paths crossed to work together and that we were able to collaborate on many aspects of the Pre-College Summer program. I remember our short brainstorming conversations, “oh yes!” moments when we found a new way to do something better, and when those short conversations turned into long sessions where we’d create and build together. I admire your commitment to learning, to your professional career, your education, and of course, your growing family. I always miss our days of sharing our cubicle wall and window — and of course miss the vibrancy and professionalism you always brought to your work. Congratulations again!

 

As we will miss Nella and Melanie deeply, this moment of transition brings exciting possibilities. As we welcome new team members and fresh leadership into the PCS fold starting with our new Director, Dr. Bobbi-Jo Wathen, we look forward to reimagining the program with renewed energy and perspective. This is an opportunity to innovate, expand, and strengthen our offerings to meet the changing needs of students and families. By honoring the foundation laid by Nella and Melanie while embracing bold, forward-looking ideas, UConn Pre-College Summer is poised to continue shaping transformative experiences that prepare high school students not only for college, but for a lifetime of learning and leadership.

UConn Italian Multimedia Competition

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By Jessica Dunn

May 2025

 

The 2025 UConn Early College Experience Italian Multimedia Competition brought Italian language learning to life through creativity, culture, and connection. Now in its second year, the contest—led by UConn ECE Italian Faculty Coordinator, Dr. Tina Chiappetta Miller—invited students to explore the theme “Il linguaggio…della natura” (The Language of… Nature) through original multimedia projects combining images, words, and sound.

 

More than just a language showcase, the competition encouraged students to think artistically and globally. Nearly 30 diverse and imaginative entries were submitted, ranging from poetic video essays to narrated animations and soundscapes inspired by the natural world.

 

For the second consecutive year, the judging panel was composed of 9th-grade students from Florence’s Istituto Agrario (Agricultural Institute). With thoughtfulness and care, they evaluated the submissions and selected the winners. Their final selections were shared in a special video presentation by jury representatives Lapo, Ettore, and Lorenzo, adding a personal and international dimension to the event.

 

The competition reflects the mission of UConn Italian and UConn ECE—to make language learning meaningful, immersive, and creative. By blending digital tools with cultural expression, students not only practiced Italian but brought it to life in new and powerful ways.

 

As this year’s entries show, Italian is more than a subject—it’s a living, expressive language. Through “Il linguaggio…della natura,” students gave voice to both language and nature, reminding us of the beauty that emerges when the two meet. Congratulations to all participants and winners!  Italian Multimedia Competition

UConn ECE MELD

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By Dr. Michael Kienzler, Assistant Professor UConn Chemistry

Dr. Fatma Selampinar UConn ECE Faculty Coordinator for Chemistry, Associate Professor in-Residence UConn Chemistry

 

More than 240 students from 12 high schools—Rocky Hill High School, O.H. Platt High School, Enfield High School, Berlin High School, The Woodstock Academy, University High School of Science and Engineering, Jonathan Law High School, Joseph A. Foran High School, Daniel Hand High School, Bristol Eastern High School, Academy of Information Technology & Engineering, and Lewis S. Mills High School—across Connecticut gathered at the University of Connecticut’s Chemistry Building for the annual ECE Chemistry Lab Day. Held over two sessions on May 20 and May 22, 2025, the event provided students with immersive, hands-on laboratory experiences that offered exposure to UConn lab environments and research practices.

 

The MELD (May ECE Lab Day) event was coordinated by the UConn Early College Experience Program Office and Dr. Fatma Selampinar, Professor in Residence and UConn ECE Chemistry Faculty Coordinator. Science activities were hosted by Assistant Professor Dr. Michael Kienzler. Following Dr. Kienzler’s presentation, students transitioned to six undergraduate teaching laboratories, where they conducted a series of experiments designed by Dr. Kienzler. These sessions were supervised by graduate students, providing participants with hands-on experience in a collegiate laboratory setting. This collaborative effort offered high school students an immersive introduction to advanced chemical research and methodologies, fostering early engagement with the scientific community at UConn. Students synthesized three different derivatives of the dye azobenzene, a compound known for its photoswitching properties—changing structure when exposed to specific wavelengths of light. The students then investigated the properties of the azobenzene they made using ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy and thin-layer chromatography. These experiments mirror ongoing research going on in Dr. Kienzler’s lab.

 

Beyond the laboratory work, participants engaged with UConn’s advanced scientific equipment. Dr. Selampinar coordinated sessions introducing students to Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, while graduate students provided insights into mass spectrometry techniques. These experiences aim to familiarize students with tools and methodologies prevalent in modern chemical research. The UConn ECE Chemistry Lab Day not only enriches students’ understanding of chemistry but also fosters connections between high school students and UConn faculty and graduate students. Such initiatives underscore the UConn ECE and Chemistry Department’s commitment to bridging secondary education with higher learning, inspiring the next generation of scientists.

UConn ECE Health Sciences Day

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By Dr. C. Michael White

 

This year’s Health Sciences Day at the UConn School of Pharmacy brought together high school students from East Lyme, RHAM, and Waterbury high schools. They engaged with UConn faculty members (Ms. Laura Nolan and Drs. C. Michael White, Robin Bogner, Jennifer Girotto, and Nathaniel Rickles), a CVS pharmacist/UConn Alum ‘93 (Dr. Galushko), and a P4 Pharmacy Student (Ms. White) in three hands-on activities.

 

First, they navigated a cardiac arrest on our simulation manikin where they had to recognize the rhythm, give chest compressions and mask valve artificial breathing, and then select, draw up and administer the correct doses of drugs in between defibrillator shocks. Next, they moved to the compounding laboratory where they were able to create brand new dosage forms. This is something that pharmacists do for patients who cannot tolerate the normal doses of medications, cannot swallow pills, or require a cream that does not exist commercially. Finally, they learned how to draw up medications like vaccines, insulin, and weight loss drugs into syringes, expel the air bubbles, and administer them properly in muscle or the subcutaneous fat of the arms or belly.

 

This was followed by a luncheon with pizza, a brief presentation on careers in pharmacy ranging from community, hospital, nuclear, pharmaceutical industry, and managed care settings, and then informal discussions about the day’s events. Students loved intermingling with those from other schools, seeing the UConn campus, and applying what they learned in their UConn ECE courses to real world scenarios, but in a simulated environment.

CT Science OLYMPIAD

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By Janet Belvel CT State Director, CT Science Olympiad UConn ECE Instructor at South Windsor High School

 

State Finals 2025

 

The University of Connecticut’s Storrs campus hosted over 40 high school teams from across the state for the 2025 Connecticut Science Olympiad State Finals. Sponsored by UConn’s Early College Experience program, the competition showcased the creativity, problem-solving skills, and scientific expertise of Connecticut’s brightest young minds.

 

This year’s event featured a dynamic mix of challenges, from hands-on engineering events like Helicopters and Electric Vehicles to rigorous knowledge-based tests in Anatomy and Chemistry. Each competition pushed students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and apply their scientific knowledge under pressure.

 

After a day of intense competition, South Windsor High School emerged as the state champion, earning the opportunity to represent Connecticut at the National Science Olympiad Tournament at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Hopkins School claimed second place, while Wilton High School secured third, followed closely by Avon High School in fourth. Their achievements reflect months of hard work, dedication and a deep passion for STEM subjects by students and their dedicated coaches.

 

While trophies and rankings highlight the competition, the heart of Science Olympiad lies in the experiences it creates. Students took on scientific challenges, worked with their partners, and struggled through complex problems as a team. Whether they were fine-tuning an engineering design, solving chemistry puzzles, or testing flight mechanics, every participant walked away with new skills and unforgettable memories.

 

This year’s tournament was a testament to the strength of Connecticut’s science education community. Thanks to the dedication of coaches, the generosity of sponsors, and the continued support of UConn’s ECE program, Science Olympiad remains a transformative experience for students across the state. We look forward to seeing what next year’s teams will do in the competition!

UConn ECE Chinese Talent Show

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By Dr. George Chunsheng Yang | Photos by Gordon Daigle and Mike Illuzzi

 

March 14, 2025

 

On March 14, 2025, UConn ECE, in collaboration with UConn’s Language, Cultures, and Literature (LCL) Chinese program, hosted a Chinese Talent Show for both UConn ECE Chinese high school students and UConn Chinese students. Hosted at the UConn Student Union Theater, the event featured more than 20 student-led performances, and drew an audience of more than 150 students, instructors, and community members, all eager to witness the creativity and dedication of high school and college Chinese learners.

 

The event showcased a wide variety of performances, including solo and group singing, traditional and modern dance, Chinese poem recitations, and engaging sanju ban (a comic dialogue style popular in Chinese storytelling). Between the acts, UConn ECE Chinese instructors hosted interactive mini-games and cultural trivia sessions, keeping the audience entertained and engaged throughout the event.

 

At the end of the event, three standout performances were honored with special awards. The Best Language Expression Award went to Amity High School for their flawless Mandarin poem recitation. The Best Performance Award went to Norwich Free Academy for their powerful Taiji dance. The most Popular Award went to Amity High School for their popularity among the audience.

 

The event was proudly sponsored by UConn ECE Office and UConn Chinese Program. The Talent Show reflects a broader community-wide initiative to foster cultural understanding, confidence in Chinese communication, and global competence through language education.

Introduction to New Pre-College Summer Director

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By Bobbi-Jo Wathen

 

In February, Dr. Bobbi-Jo Wathen joined UConn full time as the Director of Pre-College Summer. She is no stranger to UConn’s Office of Early College Programs as she has been a Site Representative for the UConn Early College Experience program since 2014. Dr. Wathen has also been teaching in the UConn Counselor Education Master’s program since 2018 when she started her doctoral studies at the University. As a doctoral student from 2018 through 2023 her research focused on supporting black males through post-secondary transitions. Her mentors created opportunities to publish several works on this topic, contributing to the academic discourse. Her desire to engage in this research began when she was a high school counselor, and she witnessed the inequities in college access.

 

 

In 2011, she earned her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in School Counseling from Cambridge College and started a wonderful career in school counseling. Since then, she has worked in a variety of school settings and supported numerous students as they explored careers and made postsecondary plans. She has been a longtime advocate for high quality rigorous education for all and worked alongside organizations like the Legal Defense Fund, The Sheff Foundation, and NCWIT’s Counselors for Computing to create a real impact for students and families.

 

In her most recent position, she was the School Counseling Department Head at a large title one school district in CT. In this leadership role, she was able to adjust her service to supporting school counselors and district leaders with the same goal in mind, providing exceptional rigorous education for students that lead to positive postsecondary outcomes. During this time, she worked closely with CT Rise to create functional systems that evaluate school level data to impact student success as students transition into high school and out of high school.

 

Becoming a full-time Husky has brought much joy. From Johnathan sightings, basketball games, the beautiful sunsets, and a lively quad on a warm day are the things that make UConn special to her. More than that, she has really enjoyed preparing for her first summer welcoming high school students from around the globe to UConn’s Pre-College Summer program. She can’t wait to watch young high school students fall in love with UConn and build the confidence they need to find a sense of belonging in college. She believes every young person should have a champion telling them they CAN and SHOULD pursue higher education if they want to. This program has the opportunity to give that to the young people who find their way to campus.

High School Engagement

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By Jessica Dunn / Image by Carissa Rutkauskas

 

In the winter 2024–2025 edition of our magazine, we introduced a map showcasing the Connecticut high schools that participated in UConn ECE student events during the Fall semester. Since then, the map has been expanded to capture the full scope of the 2024–2025 academic year—including all student events held throughout the Spring semester.

 

This updated version reveals an even broader level of engagement, with many additional high schools now represented. The growth in participation highlights the increasing enthusiasm among schools across the state to connect with UConn ECE student enrichment opportunities with a deep investment and emphasis on access for all students. From large urban districts to small rural communities, the updated map tells a compelling story of how academic curiosity and opportunity continue to spread.

We’re proud to see such strong involvement from our partner schools and applaud the efforts of instructors, students, and UConn ECE Faculty Coordinators who make these valuable learning opportunities possible. We look forward to continuing this momentum and encourage all high schools to take advantage of the valuable opportunities available to students across various disciplines.

Exploring the Depths: UConn ECE Marine Science Symposium Showcases Student Research

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By Jessica Dunn

May 22 & 28, 2025

 

The 2025 UConn Early College Experience Marine Science Symposium made waves this spring at the UConn Avery Point Campus. With growing interest and over 175 student participants, the event expanded to two dates—May 22 and May 28—to accommodate the impressive turnout of UConn ECE student researchers and marine science enthusiasts from high schools across Connecticut.

 

Hosted on the scenic shores of Long Island Sound, the symposium provided an inspiring platform for high school students enrolled in UConn’s ECE Marine Science courses (MARN1001E: The Sea Around Us and MARN1003E: Introduction to Oceanography with Lab) to showcase the results of their year long research projects. Six schools participated in this year’s event: University High School of Science and Engineering, Marine Science Magnet High School, Waterford High School, Ledyard High School, The Morgan School, and The Sound School.

 

Students presented their work through a combination of oral presentations and detailed scientific posters. Research topics ranged from micro plastic pollution and marine biodiversity to the impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems. The diversity of subjects reflected not only the rigor of the student projects but also the enthusiasm and curiosity these young scientists bring to the field of marine science. By splitting the schools between two dates, the symposium offered a more focused and engaging experience, allowing for deeper discussions, peer to-peer feedback, and meaningful interactions with UConn faculty and marine science professionals. This format helped bridge classroom learning with the real-world application of scientific research. Events like the Marine Science Symposium exemplify the power of experiential education. Students walked away with more than just academic credit—they gained confidence, presentation skills, and a genuine sense of belonging in the scientific community. Their work was not only ambitious and well researched but also impressively presented, showcasing a high level of professionalism and dedication.

2025 Annual Site Representative Conference

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By Todd Blodgett

 

The annual Site Representative Conference was held this May at the UConn Avery Point campus in Groton, CT. The Early College Experience Program Staff hosted 170 Site Representatives from 135 partner high schools. The morning kicked off at The Branford House where attendees, many of whom were visiting the Avery Point campus for the first time, got to take in the breath-taking views of The Long Island Sound over breakfast with colleagues from across the state. After moving to the Academic Building for the core content of the day, and being officially welcomed by UConn ECE Executive Director, Christopher Todd, representatives from Newington High School, Norwich Free Academy, and Robert E. Fitch High School took the stage. Leading a panel discussion, the Site Representatives discussed ways they are expanding concurrent enrollment opportunities at their schools. They shared their experiences of implementing new UConn ECE courses into their schools and how they promote the courses to their students, families, and instructors. Participants then received programmatic updates before choosing from six breakout sessions, offered across two time slots. The conference was a great opportunity for our Site Representatives to discuss ways to enhance their concurrent enrollment offerings at their high schools and meet with colleagues and counterparts from across the state. We appreciate all the work that our Site Representatives do to make their UConn ECE programs successful at their schools and are excited to continue offering a diverse selection of course offerings to their students!