By Carissa Rutkauskas
New England Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NEACEP) Conference

The 2025 Annual NEACEP Conference, Something More Than Dual Credit, was held on May 30 at Middlesex Community College in Bedford, MA, convening over 100educators, administrators, and stakeholders from across New England and beyond. The conference focused on advancing dual credit programs through improved student advising and pathways, expanded access for underrepresented students, and stronger academic and non-academic supports. Dr. Amanda Sterk opened the event with a compelling keynote on empowering students and families to navigate dual enrollment successfully. Among the 14 breakout sessions, UConn ECE’s Chris Todd presented on using concurrent enrollment partnerships as a strategy to attract, recruit, and retain educators, while UConn ECE Instructor Amy Bigelow (Franklin Academy) shared insights on supporting students with learning disabilities in dual enrollment math courses. Amy reflected on her experience, saying, “My first NEACEP conference highlighted the wide variety of ways high school students earn college credit nationwide. It deepened my appreciation for UConn’s dual enrollment model, offering college courses in a familiar, small-class setting. I was also honored to present about Franklin Academy’s success in providing executive functioning coaching and accommodations for neurodiverse students taking ECE courses.” UConn’s Office of Early College Programs was well represented by Chris Todd, Carissa Rutkauskas, and Jess Dunn from UConn ECE, along with Dr. Bobbi-Jo Wathen and Yamileth Lopez-Ramos from UConn Pre-College Summer. UConn ECE instructors Catalina Peñafiel Rincón (Kennedy High School) and Dawn Marie Conroy (Waterbury Arts Magnet School) also attended, with Dawn Marie recently certified to teach ECE courses. Catalina noted, “Thank you, NEACEP, for a well-organized and informative conference. I particularly appreciated the engaging sessions, insightful speakers, and the opportunity to network with
other professionals.” The conference proved to be a dynamic and collaborative event, reinforcing the value of partnerships in shaping the future of dual credit education.

UConn ECE Instructors Honored with Nation’s Highest Award in STEM Teaching

UConn Early College Experience is proud to announce that two of our outstanding certified instructors, Joseph Mancino of Glastonbury High School and Susan Palmberg of Edwin O. Smith High School, have been named recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The awards were officially announced on January 13, when President Biden honored seven exemplary educators from Connecticut with this prestigious national recognition. The PAEMST is the highest award in the United States for K–12 STEM teaching. It recognizes teachers who have demonstrated both outstanding subject mastery and a deep commitment to fostering student achievement in science and mathematics. Each year, up to 110 educators nationwide are selected to receive this honor.

Awardees receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, and an invitation to Washington, D.C. for a series of recognition ceremonies and professional development opportunities. Mr. Mancino is certified to teach UConn ECE courses PHYS1201Q: General Physics I, PHYS1202Q: General Physics II, and PHYS1401Q: General Physics with Calculus I. Ms. Palmberg is certified in MATH1131Q: Calculus I, MATH1132Q: Calculus II, and MATH2110Q: Multivariable Calculus. Their dedication to academic excellence and student success exemplifies the mission and impact of the UConn ECE program.

We congratulate Joseph Mancino and Susan Palmberg on this well-deserved honor and thank them for their continued contributions to STEM education and the UConn ECE community.

UConn ECE Instructor Jessica Chapman Receives 2024-25 Milken Educator Award

UConn Early College Experience proudly celebrates Jessica Chapman of Norwich Free Academy, a certified instructor for SOCI 1001: Introduction to Sociology, who was honored with the 2024-25 Connecticut Milken Educator Award on November 12, 2024. Chapman,
a passionate and innovative social studies teacher, received the surprise of a lifetime during a schoolwide assembly filled with students, colleagues, dignitaries, and media. The award, presented by Dr. Jane Foley, Senior Vice President of the Milken Educator Awards,
and Connecticut Commissioner of Education Charlene M. Russell-Tucker, includes a $25,000 unrestricted prize and recognizes Chapman’s excellence in teaching and potential for even greater impact. As Connecticut’s only recipient this year—and one of just 45 educators nationwide—Chapman joins a distinguished network of education leaders celebrated for their dedication, creativity, and influence. Often called the “Oscars of Teaching,” the Milken Educator Awards shine a spotlight on outstanding educators who are shaping the future of education. We are proud to recognize Jessica Chapman among UConn ECE’s remarkable instructors.

Aaron Hull: Advancing Civic Education Through UConn ECE and the Spirit of the James Madison Fellowship

UConn ECE Instructor Aaron Hull of Greenwich High School has been inspiring young minds through the UConn Early College Experience
program since 2010. Certified to teach UConn POLS 1202: Introduction to Comparative Politics, POLS 1402: Introduction to International
Relations, POLS 1602: Introduction to American Politics, and SOCI 1001: Introduction to Sociology, Hull consistently brings depth, rigor, and civic engagement into his classroom. In recognition of his outstanding commitment to civic education, Hull was named the 2025 James Madison Fellow for Connecticut by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation—a national honor given to educators dedicated to improving the teaching of the U.S. Constitution. Hull’s work exemplifies the mission of both UConn ECE and the Foundation, as he continues to empower students with the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed for engaged citizenship.

Michelle Henry: Championing AAPI Education and Empowerment in Greater Hartford

As part of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s “100 Influencers of Greater Hartford” centennial campaign, Michelle Henry is being
recognized for her groundbreaking contributions to education and equity. A high school English teacher at Simsbury High School and certified UConn Early College Experience Instructor in UConn AAAS 2201: Introduction to Asian American Studies, Michelle created Connecticut’s first concurrent enrollment Asian American and Pacific Islander history course through the UConn Early College Experience program, in collaboration with UConn’s Asian and Asian American Studies Institute. Her course not only allows students to earn college credit while still in high school, but also equips them with tools to confront racism and xenophobia through deeper cultural
understanding. With Connecticut’s K-12 AAPI curriculum mandate beginning in 2025–26, Michelle’s course has become a blueprint, now adopted by schools across the state. Her work reflects a commitment to creating inclusive, transformative learning experiences that amplify underrepresented voices and empower the next generation to lead with empathy, awareness, and action.

Arri Weeks: NCTE Annual Conference

Arri Weeks, UConn ECE Instructor of ENGL1007: Seminar and Studio in Academic Writing and Multimodal Composition, from New Cannan High School was awarded Conference Funding through UConn ECE and had this to say about her experience:

Thanks to a grant from the Office of Early College Programs I was fortunate enough to attend the National Council of Teachers of English annual conference in Boston in November. What an incredible four days! It was inspiring to hear from people like Bryan Stevenson from the Equal Justice Institute and United States Poet Laureate Ada Limón and attend sessions by fellow English teachers. The topics in these sessions ranged from the teaching of poetry to approaches to Generative AI in the English classroom. I came away with tons of notes, presentations, and ideas for my classroom and practice.

Additionally, Emily Genser, Ramona Puchalski-Piretti, and I led a session, “Multimodal at the Heart of the Essay,” featuring the work we do with our ECE students. For my part, I shared one of my assignments that asks students to curate a visual gallery of images that has informed their ways of seeing. Through the process of creating this show, students critically engage with images from their world and reflect on the impact these images have had in forming how they see. Our panel session was well-attended and receiving feedback from high school level and First Year Writing educators was wonderful. However, one of the most affirming experiences was collaborating with Emily and Ramona; I learned so much from them as they shared their assignments and practices with their own students. Thank you to OECP for providing the grant!

More information on UConn ECE Conference Funding can be found here: https://ece.uconn.edu/instructors/funding

Celebrating Achievement with UConn ECE Honor Cords

UConn Early College Experience (ECE) proudly celebrates the academic accomplishments of high school seniors through the UConn ECE
Honor Cords program. Following a successful pilot with several partner schools last year, the program expanded significantly. This spring,
76 of our 193 partner high schools distributed UConn Honor Cords to their eligible seniors. These cords, in UConn’s signature blue and white, symbolize the achievement of successfully completing a rigorous UConn course while still in high school. Graduating seniors who have taken at least one UConn course through ECE and are in good standing with the program are invited to wear the cords at graduation. The colors themselves are steeped in university history: “National Flag Blue” (Pantone 289), a tradition dating back to the 1950s under President Albert N. Jorgensen, with further refinement by Athletics Director Tim Tolokan, who helped standardize uniforms and institutional branding. Congratulations to the high school Class of 2025—wear your UConn ECE Honor Cords with pride!

Celebrating Catalina Peñafiel Rincón: A Voice of Bilingual Wisdom

UConn Early College Experience proudly celebrates Catalina Peñafiel Rincón of John F. Kennedy High School, who has recently added
“published author” to her many accomplishments. Certified to teach UConn SPAN 3177: Composition & Reading for Spanish Speakers, SPAN 3178: Intermediate Spanish Composition, and SPAN 3179: Spanish Conversation: Cultural Topics, Catalina released her first book in 2024, Sabiduría: Poems and Reflections on Life (Wisdom: Poemas y Reflexiones sobre la Vida). A winner of the 2025 International Impact Book Awards: Poetry- Contemporary Poetry and The Regal Summit Book Award, this bilingual collection blends poetry, self-reflection, and instant writing inspired by everyday life, aiming to connect readers through shared struggles, dreams, and aspirations. Drawing inspiration from her family, students, colleagues, and friends, Catalina encourages readers to pause, reflect, and find hope and serenity in their own journeys. Her work is a beautiful testament to the power of language, culture, and connection in an ever-evolving world.

Laurie Wolfley’s Legacy

After over a decade and a half of dedicated service as a UConn Early College Experience Faculty Coordinator, Laurie Wolfley is retiring, leaving behind a legacy of mentorship, academic rigor, and unwavering support for high school educators and students. As the coordinator for Maritime Studies and American Studies, Laurie has played a vital role in certifying teachers, observing classes, and maintaining strong connections between UConn and its partner high schools. Her leadership has helped ensure that students across Connecticut experience college learning that is both challenging and relevant. In 2017, she was honored as ECE Faculty Coordinator of the Year—a testament to her
impact and commitment.

Laurie’s contributions have shaped countless student journeys, and her presence will be greatly missed in the ECE community

Congratulations to the following UConn ECE Faculty Coordinators on their promotions:

Chunsheng (George) Yang (Chinese) Promotion to Professor

Ingrid Semaan (Sociology) Promotion to Professor In-Residence

Concetta (Tina) Chiappetta-Miller (Italian Literature and Cultural Studies) Promotion to Associate Professor In-Residence

OECP Team Honored with 2025 UConn Spirit Team Award

We are thrilled to announce that the Office of Early College Programs (OECP) Team—encompassing both UConn Early College Experience and UConn Pre-College Summer—has been awarded one of the 2025 UConn Spirit Team Awards! This prestigious recognition celebrates teams that exemplify collaboration, civility, and community across UConn’s campuses. The OECP team was recognized for its dedication to fostering meaningful connections, supporting student access to college-level learning, and maintaining a positive workplace culture. This award is a reflection of the incredible efforts of our Faculty Coordinators, Site Representatives, Instructors, and staff who make our
work possible. We proudly share this honor with fellow recipients, including the Greenhouse Studios Team, Karima Jackson from First Year Programs and Learning Communities, and Unsung Heroes Sharon Daggett and Josue Zapata from Facilities Operations. Thank you to everyone who helps advance our mission—your contributions matter!