Professional Recognition Awards

#UConnECEproAwards

The Office of Early College Programs sponsors eight awards recognizing outstanding professional achievement in the UConn ECE community.

  • Thomas E. Recchio Faculty Coordinator Award for Academic Leadership (formerly the Faculty Coordinator Award for Excellence in Curriculum and Adjunct Faculty Development) (one awarded)
  • Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration (one awarded)
  • Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction (three - five awarded)
  • "Rookie of the Year" Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction (two awarded)
  • Principal Award for Program Support and Advocacy (one awarded)
  • Award for Outstanding Research in the Field of Concurrent Enrollment (one awarded)
  • Library Media Specialist Award for Excellence in Enrichment and Collaboration (one awarded)

Additionally, an eighth award is given out by the discretion of the selection committee to an UConn ECE Instructor who has shown continued excellence over and over again: The Jan Pikul Award for Continued Excellence in Instruction (one awarded).

Nominations for awards may be made by UConn ECE Instructors, Site Representatives, Library Media Specialists, principals, Faculty Coordinators, and UConn ECE Students in February each year. Awards are determined by a selection committee made up of the Office of Early College Program Staff and former award winners. Awards are presented at a reception hosted by UConn Early College Experience in April each year. Nominations for the 2024-2025 academic year will open January 31, 2025 and close March 7, 2025.

Nomination Form

2024 Winners

Thomas E. Recchio Faculty Coordinator Award for Academic Leadership
Natalia Smirnova, Economics — University of Connecticut

Principal Award for Program Support & Advocacy
Keri Hagness, The Morgan School

Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration
Kevin Barbero, James Hillhouse High School

Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
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, Spanish — Cromwell High School
Heather Watts Mathieu, Biology — Montville High School

"Rookie of the Year" Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction
Gemetta Neal-Goulet, Educational Leadership — Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts
Margaret Clifton, English — RHAM

Award for Outstanding Research in the Field of Concurrent Enrollment 

Scott Campbell, English — University of Connecticut
Kathrine Grant, Connecticut Education Association
Carissa Rutkauskas, University of Connecticut

Silver Jubilee Award
Julie Barker, Physics — Cheshire High School
María DiVirgilio, Spanish — Lyman Hall High School
Cathy Federowicz, Mathematics — Seymour High School
Gani Manelli, European History — Masuk High School
Amy Nocton, Spanish — Edwin O. Smith High School
Tina Riccio, Spanish — Southington High School

 

 

2023 Winners

Thomas E. Recchio Faculty Coordinator Award for Academic Leadership
George Chunsheng Yang, Chinese, University of Connecticut 

Principal Award for Program Support & Advocacy
Katelyn Miner, Manchester High School

Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration
Kathleen Deane,  Conard High School

Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
Sarah Lindstrom, Spanish, Bristol Central High School
Joseph Mancino, Physics, Glastonbury High School
Joshua Hersh, Political Science, The Spire School
John Lizzi, Political Science/Human Rights, Housatonic Valley Regional High School
Jennifer Todisco, American Studies, University High School of Science and Engineering

"Rookie of the Year" Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction
Christopher Kerr, Educational Curriculum and Instruction, Newington High School
Joseph Tarantino, English, University High School of Science and Engineering

Award for Outstanding Research in the Field of Concurrent Enrollment 
Pamela Peters, University of Connecticut/ Michigan State University

Silver Jubilee Award
David Bittel, Physics, Bristol Eastern High School
Joanne Choquette, Spanish, Portland High School
Richard Fritz, Biology, Marine Science Magnet High School
Michelle Graveline, Statistics & Mathematics, Conard High School
Margaret Kimmett, Chemistry, Valley Regional High School
Marcie Vázquez, Spanish, Lyman Hall High School

 

2022 Winners

Thomas E. Recchio Faculty Coordinator Award for Academic Leadership
Anne Gebelein, Latino & Latin American Studies, University of Connecticut 

Principal Award for Program Support & Advocacy
Sean Tomany, University High School of Science and Engineering

Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration
Karen Risley, Portland High School

Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
Elizabeth Capobianco, Mathematics, Trumbull High School
Daniel Cote, Philosophy, Christian Heritage School
Laura Francis, Marine Sciences, Coginchaug Regional High School
Christine Higgins, German, Wilton High School
Karon McGovern, American Studies, New Fairfield High School

Library Media Specialist Award for Excellence in Enrichment and Collaboration 
Maureen Vint, Nonnewaug High School 

"Rookie of the Year" Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction
Kristina Schule, Human Development and Family Sciences, Greenwich High School

 

2021 Winners

Thomas E. Recchio Faculty Coordinator Award for Academic Leadership
Anthony Rizzie, Mathematics, University of Connecticut 

Principal Award for Program Support & Advocacy
Frances DiFiore, Cromwell High School 

Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration
Ka Man Cheung (Mandy), Fairchild Wheeler Interdistrict Science Magnet School 

Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
Dr. Thomas Vrabel, Sustainable Plant and Soil Sciences, Trumbull Regional Agriscience and Biotechnology Center
Margaret Kimmett, Chemistry, Valley Regional High School
Lalitha Kasturirangan, English, Eli Whitney Technical High School

Library Media Specialist Award for Excellence in Enrichment and Collaboration 
Liza Zandonella, Newtown High School 

"Rookie of the Year" Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction
Kelsey Kapalczynski, Statistics, Wethersfield High School
Christopher (Chris) Wisniewski, Biology, Berlin High School

Jan Pikul Award for Continued Excellence in Instruction
Aaron Hull, Political Science, Greenwich High School

2020 Winners

Professional Recognition Awards Show 2020

Thomas E. Recchio Faculty Coordinator Award for Academic Leadership
Scott Campbell, English, University of Connecticut 

Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration
Alicia Melillo, Cromwell High School 

Principal Award for Program Support & Advocacy
Thomas MooreWethersfield High School

Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
Eric BosleyEuropean HistoryPlainville High School
Angela Brower, Latin, RHAM High School
Libbi Intemann, Philosophy, Trumbull High School
Geoffrey Kern, StatisticsEdwin O. Smith High School
James DeCesare, DrawingThe Master's School
Sarah Tibbetts, ChemistryDaniel Hand High School

"Rookie of the Year" Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction
Carla Toney, Italian and FrenchNewington High School

Jan Pikul Award for Continued Excellence in Instruction
William SchultzChemistry, Enfield High School

 

 

2019 Winners

Thomas E. Recchio Faculty Coordinator Award for Academic Leadership
Nalini Ravishanker, University of Connecticut 

Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration
Seth Korn, Newington High School 

Principal Award for Program Support & Advocacy
Mary Lay Tshonas, Quinebaug Middle College 

Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
Alina Britchi, Physics, Westbrook High School 
J. Mark Peters, European History, Shepaug Valley High School 
Peter Vermilyea, U.S. History, Housatonic Valley Regional High School
Sara Dziedzic, Human Rights and Political Science, The Woodstock Academy 

"Rookie of the Year" Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction
Kristina Sluzewski, Human Development and Family Studies, Wilton High School 

Award for Outstanding Research in the Field of Concurrent Enrollment 
Kathrine Grant, UConn Undegraduate

2018 Winners

Thomas E. Recchio Faculty Coordinator Award for Academic Leadership
William Alpert, Economics, University of Connecticut

Principal Award for Program Support & Advocacy
Louis DeLoreto, Edwin O. Smith High School 

Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration
Douglas Melody, Edwin O. Smith High School

Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
David Bednarz, Marine Science, Ledyard High School
Linda Charpentier, Environmental Science and Biology, Xavier High School
Emily Kilbourn, English, Ridgefield High School

"Rookie of the Year" Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction
Mark Waller, Political Science, The Master's School
Michelle Amann-Wojenski, English, H.C. Wilcox Tech High School

University of Connecticut Early College Experience (UConn ECE) Concurrent Enrollment - 2019 ECE Professional Development winners

2017 Winners

Thomas E. Recchio Faculty Coordinator Award for Academic Leadership
Laurie Wolfley, American Studies & Maritime Studies, University of Connecticut

Principal Award for Program Support & Advocacy
Raymond Manka, Stamford High Schoool 

Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration
Wendy Yatsenick, Nonnewaug High School

Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
Lisa-Brit Wahlberg, The Master’s School
Ernest Fontaine, Tolland High School
Sarah King, The Master’s School
Michael O’Connor, Waterford High School
Gregg Basbagill, Trumbull High School

"Rookie of the Year" Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction
Sharon Geyer, Woodstock Academy
Bing Liu, William H. Hall High School/Conard High School
Abigail Esposito, Conard High School

University of Connecticut Early College Experience (UConn ECE) Concurrent Enrollment - 2017 ECE Professional Development winners

2016 Winners

Thomas E. Recchio Faculty Coordinator Award for Academic Leadership
Matthew McKenzie, U.S. History, University of Connecticut

Principal Award for Program Support & Advocacy
Anthony TJ Salutari, Daniel Hand High Schoool 

Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration
Oneda Lamont, Plainville High School

Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
Matthew Cieslowski, Manchester High School
Michael DeMazza, Housatonic Valley Regional High School
Lynn Ferrier, Bethel High School
Joseph Hage, Bacon Academy
Colleen Hardison, Marine Science Magnet High School

"Rookie of the Year" Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction
Brendan Walsh, Edwin O. Smith High School
Elise Weisenbach, Branford High School

Jan Pikul Award for Continued Excellence in Instruction
Matthew Magda, European History, Wilby High School

University of Connecticut Early College Experience (UConn ECE) Concurrent Enrollment - 2016 ECE Professional Development winners

2015 Winners

Faculty Coordinator Award for Excellence in Curriculum & Adjunct Faculty Development
Sara Johnson, Literatures, Cultures, and Languages, University of Connecticut

Principal Award for Program Support & Advocacy
Nicholas Spera, Marine Science Magnet High School of Southeastern Connecticut

Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration
Carolyn Ganley, New Britain High School

Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
John Girard, Plainville High School
Amanda Stirgwolt, New Canaan High School
Katherine Field, Woodstock Academy
James Trifone, Cheshire High School

"Rookie of the Year" Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction
Regan Rowley, Edwin O. Smith High School
Annie Hanrahan, Marine Science Magnet High School of Southeastern Connecticut

University of Connecticut Early College Experience (UConn ECE) Concurrent Enrollment - 2015 ECE Professional Development winners

2014 Winners

Faculty Coordinator Award for Excellence in Curriculum & Adjunct Faculty Development
Eduardo Urios-Aparisi, Spanish, University of Connecticut

Principal Award for Program Support & Advocacy
Steven K. LePage, Plainville High School

Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration
Rachel McNellis, Daniel Hand High School
Louis Bonaventura, Frank Scott Bunnell High School
 
Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
Dominic Corraro, Notre Dame High School
Karen Cook, Norwich Free Academy
Ernest Dodge, Killingly High School
Justin Taylor, Bulkeley High School
Frank Peters, Joseph A Foran High School

"Rookie of the Year" Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction
Leanne Nolan, Plainville High School
Michelle Knowe, Windsor Locks High School

Jan Pikul Award for Continued Excellence in Instruction
Jan Pikul, Bridgeport Regional Aquaculture Science & Technology Education Center

University of Connecticut Early College Experience (UConn ECE) Concurrent Enrollment - -2014 ECE Professional Development winners

2013 Winners

Faculty Coordinator Award for Excellence in Curriculum & Adjunct Faculty Development
Julia Kuzovkina,Horticulture & Plant Sciences, University of Connecticut

Principal Award for Program Support & Advocacy
John Curtis, Bridgeport Regional Vocational Aquaculture School

Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration
Frederick Turner, Bulkeley High School

Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
Theresa Vara-Dannen, University High School
John Conners, Joseph A. Foran High School
John McNulty, Berlin High School

"Rookie of the Year" Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction
Kristen Mucinskas, Wethersfield High School
Michael Gulden, Hartford Classical Magnet School

 

2012 Winners

Faculty Coordinator Award for Excellence in Curriculum & Adjunct Faculty Development
Thomas Abbott, Biology, University of Connecticut

Principal Award for Program Support & Advocacy
Brendan Donohue, Xavier High School

Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration
Neil Thibodeau, Cheshire High School

Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
Gary Bent, E.O. Smith High School
Aaron Hull, Greenwich High School
Samuel Scheer, Windsor High School

"Rookie of the Year" Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction
Sarah Serkin, Lyman Hall High School
Mary Carini, J.F. Kennedy High School
Frank Purcaro, J.F. Kennedy High School

Outstanding Research in the Field of Concurrent Enrollment
Ben Stone, Montville High School

2011 Winners

Faculty Coordinator Award for Excellence in Curriculum & Adjunct Faculty Development
Douglas Pease, Physics, University of Connecticut

Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration
Frank Tatto, Fairfield Ludlowe High School

Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
Blakeslee Lloyd, Glastonbury High School
Amy Nocton, RHAM High School
Cynthia Van Fleet, O.H. Platt High School

"Rookie of the Year" Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction
Joseph Aibender, Westhill high School
David Bednarz, Ledyard High School

Principal Award for Program Support & Advocacy
Robert Hale, Westbrook High School

University of Connecticut Early College Experience (UConn ECE) Concurrent Enrollment - 2011 ECE Professional Development winners

2010 Winners

Faculty Coordinator Award for Excellence in Curriculum & Adjunct Faculty Development
Nalini Ravishanker, Statistics

Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration
Betty Perlot, Southington High School

Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
Tina Riccio, Southington High School
Michael Scanlon, Norwich Free Academy
Yvonne Sims, Parish Hill High School

"Rookie of the Year "Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction
Timothy Byars, Westbrook High School
Brenda Santos, Amistad-Elm City High School

2009 Winners

Faculty Coordinator Award for Excellence in Curriculum & Adjunct Faculty Development
David Gross, Mathematics, University of Connecticut

Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration
Joy DiMaggio, Enfield High School

Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
Kathryn GniadekSacred Heart Academy
Richard Harris, Danbury High School
William Schultz, Enrico Fermi High School

"Rookie of the Year" Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction:
Natalia Metwally, Brien McMahon High School
Kimberly Shaker, East Hartford High School

2008 Winners

Faculty Coordinator Award for Excellence in Curriculum & Adjunct Faculty Development
Florence Marsal, French, University of Connecticut

Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration
Sandra Cone, Lyman Hall High School

Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
Paul Cappello, Notre Dame High School
Jan Pikul, Bridgeport Aquaculture Science & Technology Education Center

"Rookie of the Year" Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction
Sandra Davis, Stratford High School

2007 Winners

Faculty Coordinator Award for Excellence in Curriculum & Adjunct Faculty Development
Thomas Recchio, English, University of Connecticut

Experience Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
Julie Barker, Cheshire High School
Maureen Brown, Daniel Hand High School
Thomas Cangelosi, The Gilbert School

The UConn Early College Experience Lifetime Achievement Award
Thomas Connelly, Ellington High School
Eugene DesJarlais, Sacred Heart High School

2006 Winners

Faculty Coordinator Award for Excellence in Curriculum & Adjunct Faculty Development
Edward Benson, French, University of Connecticut

Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction
Robert Lamperelli, Montville High School
Matthew Magda, Wilby High School
Steven Sekula, Daniel Hand High School

2005 Winners

Faculty Coordinator Award for Excellence
Jim Hurley, Mathematics, University of Connecticut
Cecile Hurley,Chemistry, University of Connecticut

High School Instructor Award for Excellence
John Duffy, Torrington High School

University of Connecticut Early College Experience (UConn ECE) Concurrent Enrollment - ECE Awards Dinner University of Connecticut Early College Experience (UConn ECE) Concurrent Enrollment - ECE Professional Development winner with his guests University of Connecticut Early College Experience (UConn ECE) Concurrent Enrollment - winner receiving her award University of Connecticut Early College Experience (UConn ECE) Concurrent Enrollment - a male winner receiving his award