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Neag Student Groups Team Up for Ignite Fundraising Campaign

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LID students at 2017 NAME Conference
LID students attended the National Association for Multicultural Education Conference in 2017.

Today begins the final week of HuskyDrive’s sixth annual Ignite fundraising campaign, which is a crowdsourcing competition that brings together students and recent alumni to raise money for their favorite UConn organizations. The 32 groups in the 2018 competition are not only raising money for their causes, but also competing to win an additional $20,000 in prizes by having the highest number of current student and GOLD (graduates of the last decade) alumni donors. Groups may also earn additional prize money through a series of fundraising, creative, and social media challenges throughout the competition.

This year, two student groups in the Neag School of Education, Husky Sport and Leadership In Diversity (LID) are teaming up for the campaign. With a shared goal of supporting Neag students in their pursuit of excellence towards equity and justice, the two organizations are excited to be partnered for the competition.

“I think it is awesome that LID and Husky Sport are able to partner for the Ignite fundraising campaign. I believe that LID and Husky Sport are both committed to making sure that students of color in K-12 schools receive an equitable education by providing resources to the teachers and schools they attend,” remarked Neag School of Education Academic Advisor and LID's Program Adivsor, Mia Hines, on the partnership.

Husky Sport students in a Classroom doing Push-ups
Husky Sport pairs UConn students with Hartford youth while utilizing the power of sport to build relationships.

Husky Sport is a community-campus partnership that utilizes the power of sport to build relationships, engage in shared learning, and empower stakeholders within the North End Hartford and University of Connecticut communities. Current IB/M Teacher Preparation Program student and Husky Sport Student-Staff Leader, Bricherland Quinones, elaborates on the importance of supporting Hartford students saying,

“Husky Sport matters because the program supports a community that has exhibited needs with enhanced exposure to a college, education, physical activity, and nutrition. There’s a need to support healthy lifestyles and holistic development, while opening relevant pathways in which members of the community can access.”

Not only is Husky Sport important to the population it serves, but UConn students involved benefit immensely as it gives them a unique opportunity for involvement in communities similar to those that they may someday be working in. “The way the organization trains and helps to professionally develop each [UConn] student is amazing because they try to be as accurate as they can by informing each participant on the historical and structural realities that exist while also working alongside this population,” adds Quinones on Husky Sport’s commitment to college student development.

Leadership In Diversity is a mentoring program that helps maintain and encourage confidence and success in students of color pursuing careers in the fields of elementary, secondary and higher education. As research demonstrates, there is an important relationship between the representation of teachers of color and academic achievement of students of color. LID hosts panels, workshops, and conferences that build on the foundations of the Neag School of Education's IB/M program and provides opportunities to learn outside the classroom. Kimberly Duhart, the current secretary of LID, explains, “Not only has LID been a support system, but I have also learned so much from the opportunities that we receive both on the state and national level. With LID, I have been able to travel to the National Association for Multicultural Education conference in Utah this past semester, as well as host our own Multicultural conference for professionals and students.”

Symone James teaching a child
Husky Sport and LID alumna, Symone James is currently a 5th grade teacher who uses her experiences from UConn and applies them to her teaching philosophy.

Neag Alumna, Symone James, who is currently a 5th grade teacher at Roger Sherman Elementary in Meriden, CT, was thrilled to hear of the partnership for this campaign. As a former president of LID and Student-Staff Leader with Husky Sport, James has a strong connection with both programs. On this joint opportunity she commented,

“So much of what I learned and my beliefs regarding race, equity and privilege came from my experiences through LID and Husky Sport. There’s so much potential and opportunities for new pathways through this partnership.”

Separately, Husky Sport and LID are both strong programs that mean a lot for the professional development and support of Neag students involved. However, the collaboration will help both programs grow and expand the reach of Neag students in providing equitable opportunities for education and outreach while they are at UConn and beyond. “I was so pleased when I heard the idea for the fundraising collaboration from (Husky Sport Managing Director) Dr. Justin Evanovich.  Husky Sport has benefited greatly from its participation in Ignite in the past, and it makes great sense to join with LID. Both programs share common missions and have made positive impacts in the lives of Neag students, and students throughout the state of Connecticut. I am excited for this year, and hopefully other collaborations in the future,” commented Dr. Jennie McGarry, department head in Educational Leadership and Husky Sport founder.

"Both programs share common missions and have made positive impacts in the lives of Neag students, and students throughout the state of Connecticut." - Jennie McGarry

Husky Sport staff photo, 2017
Husky Sport's team of leaders meet regularly to discuss relevant and important topics around equity and education.

Financial support generated during the 2018 Ignite campaign will fund scholarships, conferences, professional development opportunities, sustained community engagement, K-12 school partnerships and projects, and student-faculty research collaborations for Neag students in both programs. This is the beginning of a new relationship within Neag student-led programs which support students who are invested in equity and social justice issues.

“With additional funding, I can see students being supported to continue building their skills and preparedness in their educational leadership roles beyond their time at UConn. Students will have the means to attend professional development opportunities, aid their efforts within K-12 school settings, and create new and transformational actions around their passions in education,” explains Dominique Battle-Lawson, an Academic Advisor in the Neag School of Education and LID Program Advisor.  

To support, Husky Sport and LID in the 2018 Ignite campaign, make a donation by clicking DONATE below.

Blue banner with white lettering encouraging folks to DONATE

Sport Management Alumna Visits Pyeongchang For 2018 Winter Olympics

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Olympics rings in 2018
Ithaca College School of Business Sport Management students during their visit to Pyeongchang, South Korea during the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Associate Sport Management professor at Ithaca College, Dr. Rachel Madsen, had a very exciting opportunity this past February to travel to Pyeongchang, South Korea and volunteer at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Madsen, a 2010 graduate from the Sport Management and Women Studies doctoral programs, spent over two weeks in South Korea with 20 Ithaca College School of Business Sport Management students.

During her first ever Olympics, Madsen and her team worked specifically with the event operations department in seven different competition venues, interacting with fans, athletes and coaches to provide customer service.

She and three of her students volunteered in the skating rink that housed figure skating and short track speed skating. Because those are two of the most popular events in the Olympics, they are typically scheduled to air live during U.S. prime time, meaning very early mornings for Rachel and her team.

Hockey rink, Rachel Madsen
Dr. Rachel Madsen, overlooking the skating facilities in South Korea during the Winter Olympics.

“Many days for us required waking up at 4:30 a.m. to catch a 5:15 a.m. bus to the skating rink. From 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., we managed the fans and other visitors to ensure that everyone had a positive experience while also staying safe and not interfering with the athletes,” she said.

When asked about one of the greatest experiences that she had during her trip, Rachel said it’s too hard to narrow it down to just one.

“We often came face to face with famous athletes and other VIP’s, such as IOC members and the Today Show hosts. We were able to attend history-making events as fans, which was a dream come true. The Korean Olympic Committee often provided free tickets for volunteers to attend events, as long as the event wasn’t sold out,” she said. “Additionally, as Americans, we were often treated like celebrities by Korean fans and volunteers. Many Korean fans asked us where we were from and when we said New York, they often wanted to take pictures with us.”

Though Rachel spent only 17 days in South Korea, her students were lucky enough to spend five weeks assisting at the games. In doing so, they were able to take part in a monumental worldwide event and appreciate the importance of embracing culture and diversity.

“The students really learned what it takes to put on an event of this size. When watching the Olympics on TV, it’s impossible to understand the incredibly complicated logistics of organizing, training, transporting, housing, feeding and motivating 20,000 volunteers,” she said. “Being part of a large volunteer staff also enabled them to interact and become friends with other volunteers from all around the world.”

Macaulay Receives Outstanding Student Researcher Award

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Charlie Macaulay and Dean KersaintCongratulations to Charles D. T. Macaulay, who received the 2017 Outstanding Student Researcher Award from the Neag School of Education's Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs, Del Siegle last week.

Charles D. T. Macaulay is a graduate student in the sport management program who was nominated for the award by Joseph Cooper. Macaulay has authored or co-author three recent research articles, which were published in Sociology and Anthropology, Sport Management Review, and International Review for the Sociology of Sport.

Charles is a dedicated student who is committed to his research while also planning and facilitating the Beyond the Field Speaker Series over the last year.

For read more on the other recipients from the 2017 Neag Research Awards, please read the full story.

Patricia Bellamy and Jenna Stone: 2017 Provost’s Award Recipients for Excellence in Public Engagement

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Two representatives frPatti Bellamy and jenna Stone pose with their plaques after receiving their awards at the ceremony.om the Neag School of Education at UConn, Patricia Bellamy and Jenna Stone, were awarded the 2017 Provost’s Award for Excellence in Public Engagement. The reception for the award winners was held on Nov. 14 to recognize these individuals for their exceptional dedication and significant contributions.

Patricia Bellamy, Assistant Director for Programs and Partnerships for Husky Sport, recently received the 2017 Provost’s Award for Excellence in Public Engagement in a full-time staff position.

Patti began volunteering for Husky Sport, a program established through the Department of Educational Leadership in the Neag School of Education, during her undergraduate career in 2009. She said that her initial passion for working with Husky Sport, and the relationships that she built in doing so, ultimately led her to switch her career focus and pursue a Master’s Degree in social work.

In working with students similar to and different from her, Patti learned that to truly connect with someone, one must be willing to understand where and who they are, without forgetting about his or her personal experience.Patti Bellamy with her award during the 2017 Provost's Award for Public Engagement ceremony.

“Meeting people where they are is a social work term that I think more and more industries are grasping, but it’s understanding where people are, learning from them, not trying to be the expert of their career paths and their history, just letting people lead, listening and understanding from that and growing from that,” Patti said.

After receiving the award, Patti said that she was so proud that her experiences are being recognized, especially because she is normally shy when it comes to sharing her own accomplishments.

“I smiled like crazy but I couldn’t believe it, it seriously had not even been on my mind,” she said.

Justin Evanovich, Managing Director of Husky Sport, said that the people and partners of Husky Sport benefit greatly from Patricia’s sustained leadership, caring support and positive energy.

“She shines in this work through both her ability to foster meaningful relationships, and her facilitation of effective systems in collaborative partnerships,” he said. “Patricia continues to positively empower others as part of her impactful leadership throughout all facets of Husky Sport.”

When asked about where she would like to see herself working in the future, Patti said that a few years ago she might have said that she would like to have her own program but Husky Sport seems to have changed that path for her.

“Everything for me starts with an experience, a relationship and connections, building connections with people and I don’t want just anything, I want to really enjoy it,” she said. “The next thing is going to have to be ten times more awesome, twenty times more awesome, for me to even consider.”

Jenna Stone, a senior Elementary Education major in the Neag School of Education, was awarded the 2017 Provost’s Award for Excellence in Public Engagement as an undergraduate student.

Jenna currently serves as the coordinator for Jumpstart within Community Outreach, but has volunteered with the program since her freshman year at UConn. One of her primary focuses in this position is to decrease the achievement gap in early childhood education while acting as a liaison between team leaders and student leaders in Community Outreach.

Jenna Stone with her award during the 2017 Provost's Award for Public Engagement ceremony.Jenna has learned while working with Jumpstart that she can act as a leader not only for preschool students, but for college students as well. After receiving the award this year, she said that she was more excited to share her experiences than to receive the recognition.

“Any time I get to share about the programs I’m involved with, I get excited,” Jenna said. “Service isn’t about the need to be recognized, but when you are it puts a big smile on your face.”

Not only is Jenna involved with Jumpstart, but she also serves as a volunteer for Husky Sport. Justin Evanovich said that Jenna possesses an extreme work ethic and a mature approach to managing her many endeavors.

“I’ve been fortunate to learn from Jenna about her work with Jumpstart, as well as her peer-and-programmatic leadership roles with Husky Sport, the Office of Community Outreach and the IB/M Neag Teacher Prep Program, to name only a few,” he said. “In her everyday life, Jenna impacts many as an active citizen. We at Husky Sport are excited to support her next steps at UConn and beyond.”

Upon graduation, Jenna said that she hopes to be working in either a first or third grade classroom or as a fifth or sixth grade math teacher. She said that ultimately, she hopes to find a school that is diverse and that encourages students to raise the bar every day.

Jenna mentioned that during her freshman year, she would have never expected to hold the Jumpstart coordinator position, or even serve as a volunteer coordinator as she did last year.

“I think when you’re passionate about a topic, and a program, you truly do give your everything and you love every minute of it,” she said. “That’s how Jumpstart makes me feel.”