Connecticut is 12,500 miles from South Africa. But shooting hoops with fifth-graders at the Clark Elementary & Middle School gym in Hartford recently, Sikhulu Zondo was suddenly aware that playing with the American students had erased the age and cultural barriers between them. Neag School’s Husky Sport provided inspiration for South African educators during a cultural exchange program.

Set smart goals, divvy up the work, and then attack it. It’s an oversimplified, but accurate, description of how new Neag School of Education Associate Dean for Research Sandra M. Chafouleas is working to support Neag faculty.