Thanks to around 136 individuals, the Neag School of Education garnered more than $9,000 in contributions during UConn Gives 2024. The annual University-wide fundraising event raised over $662,000 for UConn in just 36 hours, with incoming donations to support everything from scholarships and academic programs to student groups and athletics. The Neag School, including its Alumni Board, promoted three different education-affiliated projects during this year’s UConn Gives, held on April 17 and 18.
- Dr. Sue Saunders Higher Education & Student Affairs (HESA) Professional Development Fund – $3,155 from 56 donors, plus a $500 matching gift from Saunders
- Neag School of Education Alumni Board Scholarship – $4,473 from 58 donors
- Department of Curriculum & Instruction – Defraying the Cost of Entering the Teaching Profession – $1,600 from 22 donors
All three of these projects were also part of UConn Gives in 2023. This year, the Dr. Sue Saunders HESA Professional Development Fund also won a matching gift challenge funded by Saunders, adding $500 to the project’s total.
The Dr. Sue Saunders HESA fund was established to honor the commitment and dedication of Saunders, longtime director of the Higher Education and Student Affairs program, and to support the development of graduate students in the program. The fund supports students who participate in professional development activities, including conferences, courses, webinars, association memberships, access to publications, research activities, and more.
“The Dr. Sue Saunders HESA Professional Development Fund is vital in supporting the learning, growth, and development of HESA master’s students,” says Adam McCready, assistant professor-in-residence in the HESA program. “Dr. Saunders’ matching gift and the gifts from alumni and other community members ensure that HESA students can continue to have access to these transformative professional development opportunities.”
The second project, led by the Neag School Alumni Board, was again successful in encouraging alumni and friends to support the Neag School of Education Alumni Board Scholarship Fund. The Neag School’s Alumni Board is deeply invested in providing annual financial support to academically excellent graduate students with financial hardships.
Last year, three Neag School Alumni Board Scholarships of $1,000 each were awarded to graduate students pursuing master’s, sixth-year, or doctorate degrees. For the Alumni Board to continue supporting future generations of Neag School students and ensure their ability to give, the Alumni Board appreciates the help from UConn Gives donors to significantly grow their efforts.
This year, we can now award three $1,500 scholarships (up from $1,000) to deserving graduate students. I look forward to increasing our ability to allow more students to be awarded. — Jocelyn Tamborello-Noble ’03 (ED), ’04 MA, ’09 6th Year
“Funds raised during the UConn Gives campaign are used exclusively for presentation of scholarships to graduate students enrolled at the Neag School,” says Jocelyn Tamborello-Noble ’03 (ED), ’04 MA, ’09 6th Year, president of the Alumni Board. “This year, we can now award three $1,500 scholarships (up from $1,000) to deserving graduate students. I look forward to increasing our ability to allow more students to be awarded.”
The third project, Department of Curriculum & Instruction: Defraying the Cost of Entering the Teaching Profession, provides funding for academic programs, clinical placements, and other initiatives designed to make a positive impact on tomorrow’s public schools, teaching force, and education leaders.
It is common knowledge that higher education costs leave many college graduates in considerable debt. Less well-known is that professional internship opportunities for some college students are often paid. Not so for prospective teachers, who spend hundreds of unpaid hours in clinical placements. Not only do those placements require transportation costs, but future teachers also need to pay for teacher tests required for licensure. Costs can be well over $1,000 just to be qualified to apply for state certification. Thus, not only are student teachers not getting paid for this real-world experience, but they are paying for it through tuition dollars and these added expenses.
“It is inspiring to see this level of support for our next generation of teachers,” says Todd Campbell, head of the Neag School’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction. “It sends the kind of message we want to send to our students – we value teachers and are determined to disrupt barriers to entry into the teaching profession.”
UConn Gives 2024 may be over, but you can still offer your support. See how you can help fund different efforts at the Neag School of Education.
UConn Gives fundraising totals are approximate and may be adjusted slightly as gifts continue to be tallied.
