By Christopher Todd
Partnering with school districts, to meet the needs of educators and students across the state, continues to be a founding tenant of all programming within the Office of Early College Programs. The UConn Early College Experience (ECE) program continues to broaden access to rigorous, college coursework, strengthening pathways into meaningful careers and expanding opportunities in key academic and professional fields.
New offerings such as ARE 1110E: Population, Food, and the Environment introduces students to real-world economic and environmental challenges related to food systems and resource use, supporting career interests in sustainability, agribusiness, and public policy. In the sciences, CHEM 1124Q & CHEM 1125Q: Fundamentals of General Chemistry I & II provide foundational chemistry knowledge essential for advanced study in health sciences, engineering, and research-based careers. These courses support students preparing for majors in chemistry, pharmacy, biology, and related STEM areas by delivering college-level laboratory and quantitative experience while still in high school.
The arts, engineering, and professional skill development are further enriched through courses like DRAM 1101: Introduction to Theatre and DRAM 3141: Playwriting and Workshop, which nurture creativity, communication, and critical thinking—skills valuable across creative industries and collaborative work environments. On the engineering front, ENGR 1195: Special Topics in Engineering: AI Literacy (AI for All) immerses students in contemporary technological literacy, preparing them for careers at the intersection of computing, design, and innovation, while ME 2140: Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing offers hands-on experience with SolidWorks/CAD and design tools relevant to manufacturing and product development. In the health professions, PHAR 1002: Fundamentals of Pharmacology and PHRX 3057: Discovering the Leader Within build foundational scientific understanding and professional leadership skills, supporting future pathways in pharmacy, medicine, and allied health.
Complementing these discipline-specific offerings, UNIV 1820: First Year Seminar – Intro to Making engages students in creative problem solving foundational to maker and design thinking, supporting a successful transition to college-level learning while encouraging innovation across academic and career interests. Together, these courses reflect UConn ECE’s continued commitment to broadening access, expanding opportunity, and preparing students for future success in high-demand fields.
As a result, the program continues to expand access to high-quality, college coursework that strengthens career pathways and supports student exploration across multiple career pathways including but not limited to education, health sciences, engineering, and STEM fields.
r Todd, Office of Early College Programs Executive Director, and Carissa Rutkauskas, UConn ECE Outreach and Evaluation Specialist, who also participated in the pre-conference affiliated chapters meeting asNEACEP secretary alongside colleagues from Maine and Rhode Island to share best practices and strengthen regional connections. Throughout the conference, Carissa attended sessions on AI-supported advising and instruction, redefining student success, evaluating credit transferability, strengthening counselor and coordinator support, and understanding the first year experience of students entering college with dual enrollment credit—gathering insights on responsible AI use, emotional intelligence development, equity-minded program design, and collaborative K–12/postsecondary strategies. In April 2025, Chris accepted an appointment as the Member-At-Large representative on the NACEP Accreditation Commission and was excited to meet in-person with fellow commissioners for the first time. Chris participated in several Accreditation Commission meetings and served as a representative on best-practices panels throughout the conference. As NACEP celebrated 20 years, it was inspirational to see UConn’s role in the inception and growth of NACEP over the years, as the program continues to serve on the national stage as a leading example of best practices.
22, 2025, in Mystic, CT, under the theme “Lighting the Way for Student Success.” Representing the Office of Early College Programs, Christopher Todd (OECP Executive Director), Bobbi-Jo Wathan (UConn Pre-College Summer Director), Carissa Rutkauskas (ECE Outreach & Evaluation Specialist), and Erin Blanchette (OECP Billing & Operations Specialist) engaged with attendees, including board of education members, superintendents, educators, and administrators, to share OECP opportunities and strengthen statewide partnerships. OECP is in their 4th year of partnering with CABE/CAPSS. A highlight of the event was the Friday morning keynote by Dr. Miguel Cardona, 
12th U.S. Secretary of Education, whose deep Connecticut roots—from his early career as a Meriden teacher and principal to serving as Connecticut’s Education Commissioner and as a proud UConn graduate—resonated strongly with the convention’s focus on advancing student success across the state.
educate not only her own students at Trumbull High School but classrooms across the state. Constitution Day—recognized nationally each September 17 to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787—has become a signature event for Boland’s AP/UConn American Government classes, who celebrate the day by creating schoolwide educational activities and promoting #ConstitutionDay2025. Renowned for her passionate and award-winning approach to civics education, Boland leads Trumbull’s acclaimed “We the People” team, guiding students to multiple state and national honors through simulated constitutional hearings, while her creative teaching methods including her well-known George Washington persona—bring historical concepts to life. A recipient of the American Lawyers Alliance Teacher of the Year award, Boland exemplifies the impact of exceptional UConn ECE instructors by cultivating informed, engaged future citizens through both classroom innovation and her expanding digital constitutional-education outreach.
community. We’re proud to have Morty serving as a UConn ECE Faculty Coordinator for Natural Resources & the Environment, where he helps ensure the integrity of UConn courses offered in partner high schools and supports the professional development of UConn ECE Instructors. Read the entire article in the 
celebratory items: each partner instructor, site representative, principal, and superintendent received a commemorative UConn ECE 70th Anniversary Challenge Coin, featuring our 70-year milestone on one side and an “Established in 1955” emblem on the other recognizing UConn as the nation’s oldest concurrent enrollment program. Included with the coin was a message of gratitude reflecting the spirit of our 70th year: that the program’s longevity and impact are made possible by the dedication of ECE instructors, counselors, administrators, and university faculty who, since 1955, have worked together to expand access and preparation for post-secondary success.
her Education Administration from Southern New Hampshire University and a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies from Eastern Connecticut State University. She brings experience in higher education, with afocus on academic advising, student development, and college and career readiness. In addition to her advising roles, she also teaches courses in Public Speaking and College and Career Success, further reinforcing her commitment to early college awareness, access, and student empowerment. Jessica is dedicated to creating inclusive, supportive environments that encourage exploration, growth, and readiness for life beyond high school.
