By Christopher Todd

Over the past three academic years, UConn Early College Experience has demonstrated intentional and strategic growth in its course offerings, grounded in a commitment to meet the evolving needs of students and to respond directly to the requests of partner high schools for more diverse and robust academic options. In 2023–2024, UConn ECE offered a solid foundation of interdisciplinary courses, including Anthropology, American Sign Language, Digital Media & Design, English, and Philosophy. These offerings reinforced UConn’s dedication to preparing students as informed, engaged citizens ready for academic and professional success.

In 2024–2025, the program expanded into more specialized fields such as Computer Science (CSE 1010), Mathematics (MATH 1070Q), Nutrition (NUSC 1165), and advanced Chinese (CHIN 3210 & CHIN 3211). This expansion directly addressed high school partners’ desire for coursework that aligns with student interests and future workforce needs. At the same time, UConn ECE prioritized accessibility by enhancing support for teacher certification, allowing more high schools to offer these rigorous college courses by empowering educators to become certified instructors through clearer and more flexible qualification pathways.

The 2025–2026 academic year brings new, high-impact offerings that continue to elevate the ECE program’s relevance and reach. Notably, PHAR 1002: Fundamentals of Pharmacology and PHRX 3057: Discovering the Leader Within introduces students to the world of pharmacy and health care leadership. Additionally, ME 3295: Industrial Design for SolidWorks or AutoCAD and UNIV 1820: First Year Seminar – Intro to Making are designed with flexibility in mind, making it possible for schools to integrate these courses directly within existing Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. This approach allows schools to leverage their current resources, labs, and instructor expertise to offer high-quality, college coursework that seamlessly fits into established CTE pathways.

UConn ECE’s continued growth reflects a strong commitment to equity, innovation, and responsiveness. By aligning offerings with partner school feedback, expanding instructor access, and designing courses that integrate with existing high school programs, UConn is ensuring that more students across Connecticut can access meaningful, future-focused academic opportunities—setting them on a path toward college and career readiness.

View course offerings on our Courses page.

By Carissa Rutkauskas

As part of our annual stakeholder appreciation efforts, the UConn Early College Experience program proudly recognized the invaluable contributions of school counselors, teachers, and principals who support and champion UConn ECE at their high schools. In celebration of National School Counseling Week (February), Teacher Appreciation Week (May), and Principal Appreciation Week (May), we honored those who go above and beyond to ensure student success within the program. For the first time, we launched School Counselor Appreciation Week to spotlight both our Site Representatives and the broader counseling staff who guide students through course selection and enrollment in UConn ECE. During Teacher Appreciation Week—now in its second year—we celebrated instructors who bring UConn courses to life in high school classrooms with passion and dedication. Principal Appreciation Week, also newly introduced this year, acknowledged school leaders who create a supportive environment that allows the program to thrive. This year, we received an overwhelming 300+ nominations for instructors, 132 for school counselors, and 16 for principals—each submission filled with gratitude and admiration for these outstanding educators and leaders. Selected recipients—defined by receiving two or more nominations in the counselor and teacher categories— were awarded UConn ECE merchandise of their choice, a printed poster featuring heartfelt quotes from nominators, and recognition on our social media platforms. These recognitions underscore the collaborative spirit and dedication of educators and administrators who help shape meaningful academic opportunities for students through UConn ECE. Below are some of the more powerful quotes from nominators:

Principal Appreciation

Mr. Kuckel, Cromwell High School

• Principal Kuckel’s consistent message to students, families, and staff is that dual enrollment courses help students prepare for college and their future careers. He has increased our ECE student enrollment and course offerings during his administration by adding five new courses.

• Principal Kuckel is always promoting awareness about the value and accessibility of these courses in a variety of ways. He thinks about all of our students and understands the value for every student tohave college exposure in addition to earning credits. His availability, flexibility and unconditional support is appreciated by our instructors, our students, and myself! – Alicia Melillo, UConn ECE Site Representative, Cromwell High School

School Counselor Appreciation

• Danielle Jurkiewicz, Fairfield Warde High School

Mrs. J, my school counselor, played a pivotal role in my success by helping me stay focused on my path toward my early childhood education major at UConn. She worked with me to plan my senior schedule, supported my decision to take the ECE course, and reassured me when I doubted myself— and now I’m excelling in the class, grateful for her encouragement to follow my passion. – Saylor, UConn ECE Student

• Janine Murdy, Woodland Regional High School
Mrs. Murdy is a UConn alum who continually promotes ECE programs to our students. She starts promoting these programs when we register students in 8th grade and continues to challenge students to enroll in challenging courses throughout their high school years. – Principal Mulligan, Woodland Regional High School

• Kate Kopylec, UConn ECE Site Representative; Lyman Hall High School
Throughout the UConn ECE experience, Mrs. Kopylec has provided clear information on what ECE classes are, deadlines and requirements for registering (also visiting all ECE classes to assist in the registration process), and scholarship information. Her support has made my (and others) ECE experience less stressful/overwhelming. – Anonymous UConn ECE Student

Instructor Appreciation

• Monika Fryc-Gabrys, Woodland Regional High School, MATH 1131Q: Calculus I
Monika inspires her students daily. She advises the Math Team and has generated huge participation in the Team… Recently she led a 14-hour math challenge at school and took students to a Jumanji math challenge… Her students have given such positive feedback on the UConn ECE exit survey. She has high standards and her students meet with great success. She continues to get letters from her former students thanking her! She is a true gem! – Andrea Gaetano, Math Department Chairperson

• Mr. Dalidowitz, Crosby High School, SOCI 1001: Introduction to Sociology; HRTS 1007: Introduction to Human Rights; & HRTS 2200: Introduction to Genocide Studies
My UConn ECE Instructor is awesome because they challenge us to think critically, push us beyond high school expectations, and genuinely care about our success. Their passion for teaching and real-world insights make learning both engaging and impactful! – Jasmine, UConn ECE Student

• Dr. Rabinsky-Ankrom, Robert E. Fitch High School, ASLN 1102: Elementary American Sign Language II
Dr. RA is a teacher every student wishes they had. She truly connects with each and every one of her students and pushes us to be ourselves while also learning a language that brings people together… I can confidently say that she has made a big impact on my life. – Anonymous UConn ECE Student

• Mrs. Norige, Torrington High School, SPSS 3230: Biotechnology- Science, Application, Impact, Perception; BIOL 1107: Principles of Biology I; & BIOL 1108: Principles of Biology II
Mrs. Norige always promotes classes to students who are interested and has pushed to make UConn courses available for all incoming interested students. – Anonymous UConn ECE Student

• Mr. Brewer, Bristol Central High School, PHYS 1201Q: General Physics I & PHYS 1202Q: General Physics II
Mr. Brewer pours his heart out into teaching us physics and makes it extremely fun to learn about. He spends countless hours making sure each and every student understands what they are doing and enjoys their time in physics and is all around a fantastic teacher. – Amber, UConn ECE Student