Dear Neag Alumni and Friends,

As I begin my second year as dean, I am very excited about the progress we have made this past year in moving toward our goal of becoming one of the top schools of education in the nation. I am very proud of the efforts of our talented faculty, staff and students in helping us to reach our goal. However, our goal can only be realized through a team effort – one that includes the help and support of Neag alums and friends.

Over the past few years, the Neag School of Education has established signature programs, considered among the best in the country, in teacher education; gifted and talented education; exercise science; school psychology; measurement, evaluation, and assessment; and administrator preparation. In particular this past year, according to the U.S. News and World Report, the Neag School was ranked the #1 graduate public school of education in the Northeast, with two of our core teacher preparation programs ranked in the top 20. In addition, for the second consecutive time, the doctoral program in kinesiology was recognized as the #1 program in the U.S.

Currently the Neag School is home to three research journals and two national research centers – The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talent and the Center on Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support. The newly formed Korey Stringer Institute was launched to study sudden death in sports, while our CommPACT schools project is receiving national attention as a school reform model focused on closing the achievement gap. Our Husky Sport program is positively impacting youth in the Hartford community by providing education in schools about healthy nutrition, life skills, physical activities, and academic opportunities. In addition, our physical therapy program, in conjunction with our Nayden Rehabilitation Clinic, continues to prepare the next generation of highly qualified physical therapists.

In order to sustain our high level of research, student achievement and program recognition, we need the help of our Neag alums and friends. Although we are all experiencing budget challenges, I am very appreciative of the support over the past few years given to the Neag School. Private donations made to the Dean’s Fund last year were instrumental in maintaining student scholarship support and providing funds for our faculty to conduct and present research at national conferences. Your contributions to the Dean’s Fund will be just as vital this year.

A gift to the Dean’s Fund will provide opportunities to enrich the experiences of our students and undergraduate and graduate programs. This will help pave the way for our students to become the next generation of great educators and health professionals. Please help us sustain the quality of the Neag School by making a gift this year. For more information, click here.

I thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Thomas C. DeFranco, Dean

Neag School of Education