Editor’s Note: As Commencement approaches, we are featuring some of our Neag School Class of 2025 graduating students over the coming days.

 

Major: BS, American Sign Language Education and ASL Studies and minor in Linguistics
Hometown: West Hartford, Connecticut

Q: Why did you choose UConn?

A: Growing up, I knew I would go to UConn. My dad was, and still is, one of the bus drivers for the UConn men’s hockey team, so my sister and I grew up going to the games at the XL Center. The energy was palpable – it just makes you want more. I grew up knowing I wanted to be a teacher, so I was lucky enough to have a university in my home state that offered an amazing program that would give me everything I needed to be a successful educator in five years. Education has always been, and will always be, a huge part of my values. Having the opportunity to learn about new languages and cultures and how the world works is why I chose UConn; I knew I could get all of this and more.

Q: What’s your major or field of study, and what drew you to it?

A: I am completing a dual degree in American Sign Language (ASL) education and ASL Studies (concentration in interpreting English and ASL) along with a minor in linguistics. In the first grade, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I loved going to school; I felt very welcomed by my teachers and my peers. Taking this love for school with me as I grew up, once I entered high school, I had to begin thinking about what I wanted to teach. I had taken Spanish, French, and ASL by the time I began my junior year. I knew languages were something that I loved to learn – the complexity and culture were something that truly drew me to those classes every day. That’s when I knew I wanted to be an ASL teacher – I really wanted to continue learning and teaching others about a community they might have never interacted with before. ASL has made me a more open-minded person, and I hope to help my future students develop this and more skills as they learn ASL about the Deaf community and culture.

Q: Did you have a favorite professor or class?

A: My favorite professor is Dr. Catherine Little. She has truly been someone who I can be myself around and who makes me feel reassured that I am on the right path and doing what I need to do. Being a part of the honors program has been rewarding, as I am learning many new skills and diving deeper into my subject area. At the same time, it is so challenging to manage research, student teaching, and social life. Dr. Little has been a person who can calm me and my peers down and make us feel that we are on the right path and that we’ll be successful. So many thanks to Dr. Little for always being there to answer panicked emails and provide many sweet treats when I just needed a break to breathe. Thank you, Catherine!

Q: What activities were you involved in as a student?

A: I worked at the Student Union as an audio/visual production specialist. In that job, I had the opportunity to serve as the engagement and inclusion, as well as maintenance and projects, team lead. Working this job for three years, I started out with very minimal knowledge of audio/visual work, but I loved it because of the people. My boss, Jim Wheeler, was someone who could make me laugh but also really challenged me to learn new things and eventually be a leader on the team. Having someone trust me so much to do the job is why I stayed for so long, and I was sad to go! The best part about this job, other than learning completely new skills, was having time to really have experience managing my academics and a job. Time management is something that can be tricky to figure out when you have so much going on, so this was a great opportunity and job for me during much of my college career.

Q: What’s one thing that surprised you about UConn?

A: One thing that surprised me was how many school events there are and how many students attend! The Student Union is the campus hub, and thousands of students go there every day. So many events and meetings happen there. The Duck Hunt is my favorite. Going with a few friends to any event can make for a silly UConn memory that will last a lifetime.

Q: What are your plans after graduation/receiving your degree?

A: After receiving my degree, I will be returning to UConn to complete the fifth year of the Integrated Bachelor’s/Master’s (IB/M) program. Being the first and only student studying American Sign Language education has been interesting, as my placements in schools have been surprising and enriching. I am hopeful that I will return to my student teaching placement for my internship and continue making connections with students and staff and working on the curriculum. Additionally, I currently coach track and field at my own high school. I am looking forward to working with those student-athletes for another two seasons. Coaching has been an amazing opportunity to give back to the same program I participated in during high school.

Q: How has UConn prepared you for the next chapter in life?

A: UConn, specifically the Neag School of Education, has prepared me by providing me with opportunities to get hands-on experience in my field and get in-depth feedback on it. I have been so lucky to learn from other educators currently in the field and have the sandbox time to figure out what kind of teacher I am. Being accepted into the Neag School has been my goal since applying to UConn, and I wouldn’t change it for the world!

The Neag School of Education, has prepared me by providing me with opportunities to get hands-on experience in my field and get in-depth feedback on it. — Cece Echevarria

Q: Any advice for incoming students?

A: My advice for incoming students is to not be afraid to advocate for yourself. It is easy to get caught up in all your newfound freedom and hobbies and friends in college, but it is so important to be able to speak up for the things you need. This doesn’t only pertain to getting help if you’re struggling in a class. This is about asking for opportunities to further your skills. Internships and letters of recommendation. Getting the right information about classes you should take and how it can help you reach your goals. Being able to investigate the things that you want to do further is going to take you farther in college than anything else. Don’t be afraid to do it; the people around you will trust you and support you when they hear directly from you about your goals and how you want to achieve them.

Q: What’s one thing everyone should do during their time at UConn?

A: The easy answer: a women’s basketball game. A basketball game in general, yes, but the energy at a women’s game is unmatched. Go with a group of friends and have a good time. No matter where you sit, you’re bound to cheer as loud as you can, dance to good music, and hopefully catch a shirt or a pair of socks when they do a toss into the stands. Many people come to UConn for the love of the game, and I believe it is worth experiencing that energy where all UConn students can get together and cheer on our team.

Q: What will always make you think of UConn?

A: The Basketball Capital of the World!