…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 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.
By Carissa Rutkauskas
Congratulations to Glenn Lewis from Berlin High School on his retirement. Mr. Lewis has taught UConn SPAN 3178 and SPAN 3179, Intermediate Spanish Composition and Spanish 
Conversation: Cultural Topics, since 2012. His unique gift to ECE classrooms was bringing alive the language, culture, and history through his storytelling based on his extensive travel experiences in the Hispanic and Portuguese worlds, and his Chilean heritage. In his retirement, Mr. Lewis will move on to his third career teaching Buddhist philosophy and practice, and eventually living part time in the White Mountains and in Chile.
Congratulations to Maria Vilardo from Crosby High School in Waterbury on her retirement. She entered teaching as a second career and has been teaching for 19 years, nearly 12 of them in Waterbury. Ms. Vilardo has taught UConn’s History 1502: US History Since 1877, since 2020 and describes her affiliation and partnership with UConn ECE as her “crowning achievement as an educator.” In her retirement, she plans to enjoy life, relax, read, and travel. She has already traveled to Europe and South America and extensively throughout the Caribbean. In the future she would like to visit Japan and Singapore.
Congratulations to Dr. Evan Perkoski, one of Early College Experience’s Faculty Coordinators or his promotion to associate professor and tenure.
Franklin Academy (East Haddam) UConn ECE Political Science and Human Rights Instructor Fahd Rafiq was awarded UConn ECE Instructor Conference Funding to attend the 2024 
International Studies Association Annual Conference in San Francisco, CA in April, where he presented a research paper on Nationalism and identities in South Asia, an article version of his dissertation. He also co-presented on forming national identities, mass culture, and land rights. Dr. Rafiq was able to attend several sessions, including foreign policies, using role theory and Arab Spring 2.0, and civil war research.
Congrats to UConn ECE Student Maya Bynoe from Pathways Academy of Technology and Design for: being a nine-time scholarship winner; admission to University of Connecticut School of Business Honors Program; achieving 28+ credits by fall enrollment; having started a business which now has product placement inside of a local store; served as secretary for the Greater East Hartford Community Fund.
Hanh Tran, Saint Thomas More School. “Thanks to the amazing courses from UConn ECE, I am able to discover my new interest in economics, especially microeconomics. Initially, I didn’t think economics was an exciting subject to take but it was great to finally learn something practical and I figured out that what I’ve learned can be applied positively to my consumption habit. As a result, I received an Excellence in Economics Award from Saint Thomas More high school!”
Jia Yi Lu, Bristol Eastern High School. “Recently, I passed my Calculus final with an exceptional score. I don’t think I would’ve been able to achieve this without the help of my ECE Instructor.”
Reygina Pierre, Ledyard High School. “Having gone through the ECE experience I have more confidence in myself in the field of animal science classes I took.”
Jonathan Plona, Wolcott High School. “I did really well in my ECE courses, earning A’s in them. I learned a ton from my instructors and earned college credit. It was a great experience,and I’ll be taking ECE courses again next school year.”
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 Jessica Dunn
Each year, we look forward to receiving and reviewing hundreds of nominations for the Professional Recognition Awards and working with the review committees to select the winners. With that said, it is no easy task, as we have over 2,000 members of the UConn ECE community, making it very difficult to choose just a few professionals who stand out each year. But once selections are made, the hard part is over, and the celebrations begin.
UConn Early College Experience hosts an annual Awards Ceremony for all winners to publicly recognize and thank them for their dedication and commitment to the UConn ECE Program. Those recognized have exceeded program expectations and excelled in preparing their high school’s students for the next level in their education. Candidates are nominated by their colleagues, students, administration, and UConn Faculty for their exemplary instruction and management of the UConn ECE Program.
On April 25, 2024, we hosted our annual Awards Ceremony for award winners, family, and friends on the UConn Storrs Campus. Our award winners and guests gathered at the UConn Alumni Center for an elegant sit-down dinner where they were welcomed by Office of Early College Programs (OECP) Executive Director, Christopher Todd as well as UConn’s Interim Associate Vice Provost, Amit Savkar.
The night was filled with speeches from UConn OECP staff along with program partners to personally recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of each winner. This y
ear we had the great honor to recognize thirteen Professional Recognition Award winners along with six award winners of the Silver Jubilee Award (25-year partners). The night was filled with heartfelt speeches, tears of joy, laughter, and celebration as winners, accompanied by their family and friends were able to pause and acknowledge the great impact they have on the lives of their students, their community, and those who work alongside them.
Congratulations to all recipients of this year’s awards. Your dedication, expertise, and outstanding contributions have truly set the standard for excellence within the UConn ECE Community. The UConn ECE Program would not be successful without the passionate and dedicated partners we are honored to work with, and we are grateful for all you do.
Keri Hagness, The Morgan School
Natalia Smirnova, Economics, University of Connecticut
Kevin Barbero, James Hillhouse High School
Kyle Candia-Bovi, English, Suffield High School
Austin Cesare, U.S. History, Joseph A. Foran High School
Gina Corrado, Spanish, Cheshire High School
Christina Hernández-Williams, Spainish, Cromwell High School
Heather Watts Mathieu, Biology, Montville High School
Gemetta Neal-Goulet, Educational Leadership, Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts
Margaret Clifton, English, RHAM High School
Scott Campbell, English, University of Connecticut
Kathrine Grant, English, Connecticut Education Assoc.
Carissa Rutkauskas, University of Connecticut
Julie Barker, Physics, Cheshire High School
María DiVirgilio, Spanish, Lyman Hall High School
Cathy Fedeorowicz, Mathematics, Seymour High School
Gan Manelli, Europeon History, Masuk High School
Amy Nocton, Spanish, Edwin O. Smith High School
Tina Riccio, Spanish, Southington High School
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.
By Christopher Todd
One of the most important fundamental principles in public policy is that the more complex a change, the less one can force that change upon stakeholders. Look to any state or federal education mandate, and one can understand the complexity of change. Simply mandating or forcing students to take advantage of the multitude of dual credit opportunities their school provides doesn’t lead to success. However, creating a robust catalog of offerings that allows for choice, and aligns with student interests will ultimately shift the landscape of dual credit opportunities in Connecticut.
In his book “Inquiry Mindset”, Trevor Mackenzie writes Passions create opportunities for deeper learning as students are highly motivated and willing to explore them further. Their proper knowledge of the topic accelerates and amplifies their inquiry. Student interest and passion must drive the opportunities we look to create in an expanded course catalog. As the UConn ECE program quickly approaches 100 unique UConn course offerings, the program stands on the precipice of determining which new courses to add to our catalog, and as such, advocates with the appropriate university leadership within corresponding disciplines. The program will continue to look for disciplinary gaps in our course offerings and will work to bring in new course offerings that align with partner school needs, relevant career pathway pursuits, and most importantly student interests and passions.
Taking this into consideration, the UConn ECE program is excited to share new course offerings available during the forthcoming 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years. These courses align with the program’s strategic vision of expanding course offerings in a way that addresses both disciplinary gaps and student interests and needs.
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ASLN 1102: Elementary American Sign Language II (4 credits)
Continued development of basic knowledge and understanding of conversational ASL. |
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BUSN 2235: Personal Financial Literacy (3 credits)
Introduction to essential topics in personal finance for individuals and entrepreneurs. Financial literacy, personal finance topics including recordkeeping, budgeting, risk, insurance, credit, purchasing decisions, savings/investment options, income taxation of individuals and small businesses, and retirement savings. |
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CHIN 3210: Chinese Conversation and Composition I (3 credits)
Development of ability to communicate in Chinese, orally and in writing. CHIN 3211: Chinese Conversations and Composition II (3 credits) Development of ability to communicate in Chinese, orally and in writing. |
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CSE 1010: Introduction to Computing for Engineers (3 credits)
Introduction to computing logic, algorithmic thinking, computing processes, a programming language and computing environment. Knowledge obtained in this course enables use of the computer as an instrument to solve computing problems. Representative problems from science, mathematics, and engineering will be solved. |
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KINS 1100: Exercise and Wellness for Everyone (3 credits)
Overview of the five pillars of health (exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress and relationships); role of exercise in health promotion and disease prevention across the lifespan; impacts of exercise in leisure time, culture, community, careers and the workplace. |
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MATH 1070Q: Mathematics for Business and Economics (3 credits)
Linear equations and inequalities, matrices, systems of linear equations, and linear programming; sets, counting, probability and statistics; mathematics of finance; applications to business and economics. |
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PUBH 1001: Introduction to Public Health (3 credits)
This course describes the history, philosophy, and science of public health. Students will identify biological, environmental, and social determinants of health from a comprehensive perspective. They will apply these principles to define health problems, evaluate possible causes, and recommend effective public health responses to health concerns. By doing so, students will learn about career opportunities and the complementary role public health plays with health care and voluntary and governmental organizations in protecting the public’s health. |
To learn more about each course offering and UConn ECE Instructor requirements, we encourage you to visit our entire course catalog.
Addendum
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ME 3295: Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (3 credits)
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NUSC 1165: Fundamentals of Nutrition (3 credits) An introduction to the principles and concepts of nutrition with emphasis on the nature and function of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins, and their application to the human organism. |
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.