Editor’s Note: As Commencement approaches, we are featuring some of our Neag School Class of 2020 graduating seniors over the coming days. 

Major: Elementary Education with a concentration in History
Minor: Human Rights

Extracurriculars: Co-vice president of Leadership in Diversity; competing member and secretary of the UConn Tap Team, a club sport.

Hometown: Groton, Conn.

What do you aspire to be? Dr. Howard Thurman once said, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” I have been very fortunate to have individuals and communities throughout my life who have helped me to discover what makes me come alive. Now, I aspire to be someone who helps others find what makes them come alive. Right now, I believe that I can best do that as an educator. However, I will always be open to new adventures, challenges, and opportunities, although I do believe that I will always be connected to the field of education.

Who is your favorite professor? My favorite professor thus far has been Dr. Doug Kaufman. I have been fortunate enough to have taken multiple courses with him during my time in Neag, and he has not only consistently pushed me to become the best educator that I can possibly be, but to also continue to grow as a reader, writer, and person. He does all of this with passion, humor, and a desire to infuse student interests into classes, making it very easy for me as a student to love to learn.

“UConn has prepared me for my future career by consistently pushing me outside of my comfort zone. Every day spent as a teacher should be a step outside of your comfort zone.”

What did you accomplish that you’re most proud of? I am most proud of the work that I have completed as a member of Leadership in Diversity. As a freshman, I started out as a general body member of the organization. Over the years, I have grown to become a co-vice president of the group. I am incredibly passionate about the work that we do to encourage students of color to enter the field of education, retain teachers of color, and to foster more culturally sustaining classroom environments. Throughout each academic year, we host general body meetings as a safe and supportive place for students of colors in Neag to come together, workshops for everyone to learn and grow their pedagogical practices, and in the spring, we host our own Multicultural Education conference. I am perhaps most proud of the work we have done to bring our organization and spread our message to professionals and pre-professionals across the country by presenting at the annual National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME) Conference.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? After I graduate this spring, I plan to continue in Neag’s IB/M program to complete my master’s degree. After this, I hope to return back to my hometown and work at an elementary school in the area. In addition, I plan to continue to teach dance at my dance studio, The Dance Extension, in New London/Quaker Hill, Conn. I also intend to continue the work surrounding multicultural education and human rights that I have started here at UConn.

How has UConn prepared you for your future career? UConn has prepared me for my future career by consistently pushing me outside of my comfort zone. I started my freshman year as a very shy, introverted individual. Now, I have the confidence and skills to lead student organizations, present at national conferences, and organize/host a major conference. Every day spent as a teacher should be a step outside of your comfort zone. New students every year, new curriculum, and unexpected challenges are a part of the work of a teacher. Thanks to my time spent at UConn, I have an endless amount of faith in my ability to tackle each new challenge that comes my way.

What advice would you give to a student who is just starting out? The biggest piece of advice that I would give to a student that is just starting out would be to cherish every moment. Even the ones that might make you nervous or upset. Those tough moments are often the ones you learn and grow from the most. At the same time, never be afraid to ask for help. The amount of resources and individuals on this campus that will extend a helping hand is endless, so never feel as though you have to handle anything alone.

Editor’s Note: As Commencement approaches, we are featuring some of our Neag School Class of 2020 graduating seniors over the coming days. 

Major: Sport Management
Minor: Psychological Sciences

Extracurriculars: UConn Field Hockey DI Student-Athlete; UConn Athletics Marketing Department, intern; Husky Sport, staff; UConn Sport Business Association, member; UConn Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, team representative and International Student-Athlete Subcommittee e-board member.

Hometown: Frankfurt, Germany

Who is your favorite professor? One of my favorite professors at UConn was Dr. Joseph Cooper. He introduced me to the ongoing social injustices in sport that I had never thought about or been confronted with in my homogenous, predominantly white community at home in Germany. I was also fortunate enough to take EDLR 3547W with Dr. Evanovich my senior year, where I learned to think critically about myself, my white privilege, and the unequal opportunities that various social identities have in our society. This was my favorite class during my entire four years at UConn, as it was based on thought-provoking discussions and experiences that questioned existing injustices. I wish more students could get the chance to take this class.

What did you accomplish that you’re most proud of? My field hockey team and I accomplished an undefeated season with 23 wins to become the 2017 NCAA Division I National Champion my sophomore year. I’m extremely proud of this special team to make history while being so determined to successfully balance the countless hours of our sport with a full-time academic course load. Even though this is the biggest accomplishment in college sports, I’m most proud of the person I have become over these past four years. I learned a lot about myself and what impact I want to have in the future to make the world a more inclusive, equitable, and better place.

“During my time in the sport management program, I found my passion for emotional branding as well as in advocating against the ongoing injustices in our world.”

What do you plan to do after you graduate? During my time in the sport management program, I found my passion for emotional branding as well as in advocating against the ongoing injustices in our world. Going forward I want to explore ways of addressing and using social issues as a means to tie emotions into global branding. I realized that sport has the power to inspire people to take action and advance equality throughout society! That’s why with sport I want to push limits, break boundaries, and create a better future for ourselves, our athletes, and our communities. My dream is to do this with Nike one day.

How has UConn prepared you for your future career? The classes and professors at UConn have taught me valuable skills that make me confident in my abilities to be successful in my future workplace. Every experience I made here has shaped me into the person I am today and I couldn’t be more thankful for that. UConn has helped me identify the purpose I currently see for myself in life and I cannot wait to go out and work hard for it.

What advice would you give to a student who is just starting out? Use the opportunities and resources that are presented and available to you and don’t shy away from getting out of your comfort zone. Get involved, there is so much that you can do that will benefit you personally while at the same time build your resume. Build relationships and mentorships with your classmates and professors and start networking early. Last but not least, be present in every moment – these four years will fly by a lot faster than you think.

Editor’s Note: As Commencement approaches, we are featuring some of our Neag School Class of 2020 graduating seniors over the coming days. Coyne also appeared in UConn Today’s feature about graduating seniors.

Major: Special Education
Minor: English

Extracurriculars: UConn Future Educators; Windham Heights Tutoring; Teacher Education Student Association (TESA)

Hometown: Marshfield, Mass.

What do you aspire to be? I aspire to be a teacher that leaves a positive impact on my students. During my schooling career, I had two teachers that went above and beyond to get to know me and build a relationship with me beyond the classroom. My experiences with these teachers will stick with me forever, and I hope to have that same impact on my students in the future.

Who is your favorite professor? My favorite professor is Melodee Walker. I have been fortunate enough to have Melodee for two different courses. She has taken the time to build a relationship with our entire cohort and you can tell that she genuinely cares about each of her students. During the time I have had Melodee, she has advocated for our cohort and has encouraged us to advocate for ourselves as well. Melodee has also been very supportive, especially through the edTPA process.

What did you accomplish that you’re most proud of? The accomplishment that I am most proud of is being accepted into the Neag School of Education IB/M program. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was little, and being accepted into the program meant that my dream was finally going to become a reality.

“I have wanted to be a teacher since I was little, and being accepted into the program meant that my dream was finally going to become a reality.”

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I will be returning to UConn in the fall to get my master’s. After that, I plan to become a special education teacher.

How has UConn prepared you for your future career? UConn has prepared me for my future career by giving me an opportunity to get hands-on experience in several different school districts in the state. During my time in each placement, I have built confidence in my abilities to be an educator and have learned valuable information from the experiences I have had that I will take with me in my career in the future.

What advice would you give to a student who is just starting out? Get involved and don’t be afraid to try new things! There are so many great clubs and organizations on campus to get involved with, and you may never know what you’re truly passionate about unless you try something new.

Editor’s Note: As Commencement approaches, we are featuring some of our Neag School Class of 2020 graduating seniors over the coming days. Li also appeared in UConn Today’s feature about graduating seniors.

Major: Elementary Education

Extracurriculars: International Student Advisory Board, student chair; Math Motivators, founder; First-Year Experience Program, mentor; Teacher Education Student Association, member; UConn Collaborative Organizing, member; Leadership Certificate Series, member; UConn Orientation Services, International Orientation Ambassador, office staff; Campus Big Buddies, member; Community Outreach, member.

Hometown: Kunming, China

What do you aspire to be? I am eager to be an educator who addresses and solves problems in the field of education. My professional goal is to explore the relationship between math education and creativity as well as develop a math teaching model where students emerge in both high levels of fundamental math achievement and creativity. I experienced both Chinese and American math teaching styles. Having heard people arguing that Chinese students show their strength in math skills but paucity in creativity compared to American students triggered me to think about why countries implement disparate education systems. Since it is ambiguous to tell which one would be exactly more beneficial to students, attempting to combine these two styles together, I think, would be a lead in the future.

Who is your favorite professor? It is hard to pick the most favorite one but Joseph Dean is the most special one for me. I was lucky to have him as my instructor for Multicultural Education in my junior year. He created a safe space to allow his students to have open conversations and discussions of diversity-related topics. He is the first one who introduced and inspired me to be a multicultural educator.

“I cannot be who I am right now without UConn. I have taken classes in various content areas to broaden my understanding of the world around me.”

What did you accomplish that you’re most proud of? I am proud of getting into the Neag School of Education and continuing fulfilling my dream to be an educator. As an international student, sometimes I felt defeated and doubted if I should keep doing the education due to language barriers and culture shock. Fortunately, the strong and firm support from my instructors and friends convinces me of realizing my dream even though the whole process of discovering the new cultural environment is challenging.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I will return to UConn for my master’s year to complete my master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I am also about to attend the study abroad program in Nottingham to experience another different education system in the U.K.! Following that, I would like to be an elementary school teacher for a couple of years to get a deeper understanding of what students need. Then, I will pursue a doctoral degree and start my research.

How has UConn prepared you for your future career? I cannot be who I am right now without UConn. I have taken classes in various content areas to broaden my understanding of the world around me. In Neag, pre-professional courses and clinic practicums enable me to feel prepared and confident to be an educator. Besides, UConn provides me with numerous opportunities to gain experience in tutoring, contributing to community building and enhancing leadership skills.

What advice would you give to a student who is just starting out? Try to get involved! Getting involved in clubs, activities, and even classes allows you to meet amazing people and learn the world around you. Those opportunities enable you to explore your passion as well as gain phenomenal experiences. If you are an international student, do not hesitate to talk and ask questions. Open communication and a growth mindset are keys to success.

Editor’s Note: As Commencement approaches, we are featuring some of our Neag School Class of 2020 graduating seniors over the coming days. 

Name: Ben Armstrong

Major: Sport Management

Extracurriculars: Operations intern/student worker, UConn Athletics; @UConnSPM social media content creator, Neag School of Education’s Sport Management Program; and Sport Business Association.

Hometown: Wantage, N.J.

What do you aspire to be? I would like to be a leader and role model for causes larger than myself as a professional in college athletics and in my personal life.

Who is your favorite professor? Professors Laura Burton and Ajhanai Newton.

What did you accomplish that you’re most proud of? In my time at UConn, I am most proud of being named a 2019 New England Scholar, getting accepted into graduate school, and upon graduation, becoming the first in my family with a college degree.

“I would like to be a leader and role model for causes larger than myself as a professional in college athletics and in my personal life.”

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I plan to pursue a graduate assistantship in event management in college athletics while working to obtain my master’s degree in sport management. From there, I want to enter the sport industry and work my way up towards higher administrative positions.

How has UConn prepared you for your future career? While my time at UConn has been limited coming in as a transfer student, the two years I have had here has provided me an opportunity to move out of my comfort zone. In that time, I have had the opportunity to acquire knowledge in the classroom, gain professional experience through internships, and develop a personal and professional network.

What advice would you give to a student who is just starting out?
Don’t stress over the small things. Control what you can control and your larger goals will fall into place. Most importantly, make the most of your experience!