Meet the members of the Neag School’s current Alumni Board and Dean’s Board of Advocates, who all volunteer to work toward engaging and connecting with alumni and friends of the School throughout the year.

Connecting With Alumni

The Neag School Alumni Board has a history of influencing the School’s outreach in the alumni community and supporting current and future students. With a focus on alumni engagement, the Board supported a yearlong virtual programming schedule.

Madison (Corlett) Coutu ’16 (ED), ’17 MA

Hometown: Tolland, Connecticut

As a Neag School grad, what do you want people to know about the School? The Neag School of Education is the perfect place to figure out exactly who you want to be as an educator. The Neag faculty fosters a sense of community and provides mentorship before, during, and even after you leave. I believe that their balance between support and challenge guides students to find their true passions in the field. Not only did I feel well prepared to enter the field, but built connections and relationships that continue to support my work as an educator to this day.

What do you hope to accomplish or contribute this coming year as a Neag School Alumni Board member? This coming year as a new Neag School Alumni Board member, I am excited to learn more about all the incredible work our board does. I am eager to connect and share ideas with other passionate educators.

Anna Cutaia ’07 (ELP), ’13 Ed.D.

Hometown: Mahopac, New York

As a Neag School grad, what do you want people to know about the School? The Neag School is a place of professional belonging. The support one gains while participating in studies lasts long beyond graduation day. Neag is a community practice that spans the life of a professional career.

What do you hope to accomplish or contribute this coming year as a Neag School Alumni Board member? As an Alumni Board member, I hope that our work continues to strengthen the profession so we can continue to improve learning for all students.

Danielle DeRosa ’09 (CLAS), ’16 MS, Faculty Representative

Hometown: East Haven, Connecticut

As a Neag School grad, what do you want people to know about the School? The Neag School works with students who have various professional interests, from those wanting to work in sport, on college campuses, and in schools. Faculty and staff work closely with students to help them develop, as professionals and people, who will work toward equity and inclusion to make a unique impact.

What do you hope to accomplish or contribute this coming year as a Neag School Alumni Board member? I am excited to get to know the other Neag School Alumni Board members. Each board member brings such unique experience and insight and I am excited to work collaboratively to support current students and alumni. As a board member, I hope to contribute insight from my role as a faculty member in the Neag School to help shape some of the work that we do!

Elizabeth “Liz” DeVitto ’14 (ED), ’15 MA, Secretary

Hometown: Wolcott, Connecticut

As a Neag School grad, what do you want people to know about the School? The saying “Huskies forever” definitely holds true with the Neag School! I graduated from the Neag School over six years ago and still feel like a huge part of the School. They provide resources, events, and ways to stay involved as an alumni. The Neag School provided me with much more than an unbelievable education — it landed me a dream job, helped me create lifelong friendships, and allowed me to continue involvement in an institution that changed my life!

What do you hope to accomplish or contribute this coming year as a Neag School Alumni Board member? This year I hope to expand the Neag School’s Alumni Board through involvement of new members from different areas of the state, as well as more virtual opportunities for alumni across the U.S.

Ryan Haynes ’20 MA

Hometown: Santa Cruz, California

As a Neag School grad, what do you want people to know about the School? I want everyone to have the chance to get to know the amazing staff and faculty that are part of Neag. The amount of love, care, and support they provide is incredible, and I have enjoyed learning with so many of them.

What do you hope to accomplish or contribute this coming year as a Neag School Alumni Board member? I'm excited to see how the alumni board can support career networking and I hope to bring some more Husky pride out to the West Coast.

Sharon Fuller ’83 (ED), ’87 MA, ’94 6th Year

Hometown: Wakefield, Rhode Island

As a Neag School grad, what do you want people to know about the School? UConn is an exciting, welcoming, and diverse community — it’s a great place to live, learn, and grow into “the change you want to be in this world” (based on a quote from Mahatma Ghandi).

What do you hope to accomplish or contribute this coming year as a Neag School Alumni Board member? I hope to continue the commitment of UConn alumni to give back to UConn, our communities, and our professions. By beginning my tenure on the UConn Alumni Board and by participating on the Recruitment, Scholarship, and Philanthropy Committee, I hope to support aspiring and current UConn students.

Carl Johnson ’03 (CLAS), ’04 MA, ’15 6th Year, Past President

Hometown: West Hartford, Connecticut

As a Neag School grad, what do you want people to know about the School? I would want people to know how well Neag has prepared me for every phase of my career, whether it was being a first-year teacher coming out of the IB/M program or as a building administrator after completing the UCAPP program. I believe that both prepared me incredibly well to be successful as a teacher and administrator. Additionally, the connections I have made continue to impact my career in terms of professional growth.

What do you hope to accomplish or contribute this coming year as a Neag School Alumni Board member? I hope to continue and support the growth of the Neag School Alumni Board. In my brief time on the Board, I have seen the strides that have been made to further connect and support alumni from the School of Education. I want to see that continue to develop and find new ways to achieve those goals.

Bryan Kirby ’18 (ED), ’19 MA, Chair, Alumni Awards and Traditions Committee

Hometown: Orange, Connecticut

As a Neag School grad, what do you want people to know about the School? I want people to know that the Neag School prepares you immensely well for your first year of teaching. Now that’s not to say that it won’t be tough, but the Neag School equips you with all the tools you need to succeed.

What do you hope to accomplish or contribute this coming year as a Neag School Alumni Board member? My hope for the Neag School Alumni Board this year is that the awards ceremony gets the best reviews yet. We are working hard to create an interactive and professional ceremony that is unlike any other.

Kelly Lyman ’92 MA, ’93 6th Year, ’10 ELP

Hometown: Simsbury, Connecticut

As a Neag School grad, what do you want people to know about the School? I would like people to know that UConn prepares its students with practical knowledge and experience to allow its graduates to start strong. It also instills a love of learning and belief that we all must be lifelong learners. This allows its graduates to excel in the workplace.

What do you hope to accomplish or contribute this coming year as a Neag School Alumni Board member? This year I hope to help the Alumni Board continue to find ways to support and recognize the outstanding work of its grads.

Faith Celeste McCarthy ’17 (ED), ’18 MS, Chair, Student and Alumni Networking Committee 

Hometown: Unionville, Connecticut

As a Neag School grad, what do you want people to know about the School? The Neag School of Education houses the Sport Management Program. I look forward to connecting with people and discussing why that is.

What do you hope to accomplish or contribute this coming year as a Neag School Alumni Board Member? I hope to do both. I aim to educate former, current, and prospective Sport Management Program students about Neag's mission and purpose. I'd also love to get a better understanding of the education system in Connecticut and Neag's position.

Emmanuel Omokaro ’11 (ED), ’12 MA

Hometown: Danbury, Connecticut

As a Neag School grad, what do you want people to know about the School? That the Neag School of Education also features the sport management program.

What do you hope to accomplish or contribute this coming year as a Neag School Alumni Board member? As a Sport Management graduate, I would like to get a better understanding of the other Neag programs so I can be a better contributor to the committee. Get a full understanding of the School of Education and all the things it has to offer.

Kim Wachtelhausen ’08 6th, President

Hometown: Cranston, Rhode Island

As a Neag School grad, what do you want people to know about the School?: When I was seeking my 6th year in Ed Leadership, the UCAPP program was my first choice. It was undergoing a change in design and included a partnership with CT Association of Schools to support the clinical internship portion of the program. Having the opportunity to study alongside a cohort of future leaders in education with some of Connecticut’s most experienced educators as our mentors was invaluable. Being a part of Neag allowed me to broaden my view of public education and put me on a path of continuous reflection. Years later, I remain grateful for the people who still have influence and impact on me, but more importantly on Connecticut’s children and their families.

What do you hope to accomplish or contribute this coming year as a Neag School Alumni Board member?: As the new president of the Neag Alumni Board, I look forward to the opportunity to reimagine our work after a global health crisis. We have only just begun to discover the impact of these past few years on our Neag students, colleagues, and broader community. As alumni, we can use our collective talents to engage, support, and amplify the Neag mission to improve educational and social systems to be more effective, equitable, and just for all.

For a complete list of the Neag School of Education's Alumni Board, visit the website.