Kyle Volo grew up on Long Island and knew he wanted to be part of UConn from the time he first visited the Storrs campus. He is a special education major and has been an active student of the Neag School of Education, being involved in several different organizations related to that school. Volo has had a leadership role in HuskyTHON, the annual charity dance marathon which raises money for Connecticut Children’s and encourages all UConn students to participate in that event. After graduation, he will be staying at UConn to start graduate work in educational psychology.
Why did you choose UConn?
The second I stepped foot on UConn’s campus I knew it was exactly where I wanted to be. I still remember those first few steps out of the South Parking Garage, walking in awe as I saw the sheer magnitude of the campus buildings and their overwhelming school spirit. Everything everywhere had a Husky, and instantly I had that sense of community I had yearned for. I came to visit UConn’s campus as a fluke, passing by on my way to another university. The moment I looked up and saw the bookstore and Gampel Pavillion, I rushed to my phone to find if UConn had an education program. As we walked around campus, I frantically stared at my phone until I fully navigated the Neag School of Education website. From there, I was hooked. UConn gave me the excitement to further my education.
What’s your major or field of study, and what drew you to it?
My major is comprehensive special education. Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher. The opportunity to have a job that would give me a platform to have a direct positive impact on the life of another person has always been nothing short of a dream to me. My road to special education was a long one, filled with five separate major changes, but all still within the field of education. With every distinction change, from physics to earth science to English to elementary, I always found the root to be my dissatisfaction with how I could connect the content to best help students. While preparing for my Neag School of Education interview, I picked up a position as a substitute-paraprofessional in a local elementary school. Within a month of familiarizing myself with the ins and outs of special education, I was hooked and knew I had found the place for me.
Did you have a favorite professor or class?
I have loved just about every education class I have been a part of! All my professors have gone above and beyond to support me and ease the transition from student to student-teacher. There are so many things that go on in the classroom, and I love that each class has always given me a platform to work through open dialogue and questions. Beyond this, I would also love to give a special shoutout to my Anthropology 1006 professor! At first, I only took this course to advance an honors credit and found myself quickly finding so much interest in the field. It is because of my experience here that I not only have taken additional classes out of pure interest but have gained a newfound respect for anthropologists across the globe.
What activities were you involved in as a student?
As an out-of-state student, when I came to UConn I searched to become as involved as possible. I wanted to meet as many people as I could and find my place. In doing so, I found myself sticking most consistently with the UConn Future Educators Club, joining the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, and finding my greatest sense of purpose in HuskyTHON. HuskyTHON has truly given me the greatest home away from home, I have met my greatest friends through this organization alongside thousands of other UConn students fighting for the same cause. There truly is no better day on campus than HuskyTHON’s 18-hour dance marathon.
What’s one thing that surprised you about UConn?
UConn is a lot smaller than it seems! Coming to such a large school, I never once expected to be able to find community be such an apparent thing. There are so many little communities embedded into UConn’s campus. From Greek life to sports teams, HuskyTHON, and so much more. It’s a lot more accessible than you think to find a group of peoples that make this campus feel so small. Every day I walk this campus, I see someone that I may have never seen before, but I also find myself seeing at least one person I’m familiar with. To me, that says so much about how great this place truly is.
What are your plans after graduation/receiving your degree?
After graduating this spring, I will be turning the car right back around to Storrs to complete my master’s in educational psychology! I have been extremely fortunate to have been accepted into the UConn Neag School of Educations IB/M Integrated Bachelors-Master’s program. This program hybridizes a traditional masters and gives me the opportunity to complete my full degree in just a year! During my master’s year, I aspire to be participating in the “Alliance Fellowship,” where I can work alongside underprivileged districts and provide interventionist services to at risk students. From there, I hope to find a job in special education!
How has UConn prepared you for the next chapter in life?
UConn has given me the professional skills to grow into my own as an adult! Never in my life have I been tasked to be 100% self-sufficient. From the little things like learning how to map time out for laundry in my Buckley dorm, to reaching hard academic deadlines, UConn has given me the opportunity to experiment. There were definitely ups and downs, but every “down” was one more chance to learn how to do it better the next time!
Any advice for incoming students?
Time is the best medicine for anything, no matter the situation. A lot of college is fast-paced and on-the-go, which can get stressful. Give things time. You will make those friends, you will get that assignment done, you will make it through that stressful period of time. Take the rest you need when you need it. College is all about learning more about yourself. Don’t rush from one milestone to the next or next thing you know it’ll be time for graduation, and you’ll be left wondering where all the time went!
What’s one thing everyone should do during their time at UConn?
Everyone should do HuskyTHON!! There truly is no greater event like it. For 18 hours our UConn campus comes together and dances for those who can’t. Patients and families from Connecticut Children’s join us in our celebration, sharing their stories, and celebrating a day where kids can just be kids. The day is full of fun activities like giant “Wipe Out” blowups, local vendors, good food from Storrs Center, sports tournaments, silent disco, rave hours, and so much more. Even if you don’t like to dance it’s the place to be. At HuskyTHON you can do as much or as little as you please. At the end of the night, we perform the “Circle of Hope,” a moving tale that ends in the Management Team and Miracle families cutting off the student’s admission hospital bracelets. This signals the fight that while we can go home after this 18-hour event, thousands of children across country do not receive that same fortune. In the end, the Management Team heads up on stage and raises the final total of the years fundraising. There’s no event like it.
What will always make you think of UConn?
HuskyTHON, college basketball, or even the state of Connecticut itself, as funny as it sounds. As an out-of-state student, hearing Connecticut come up in conversation will always make me think of the home I have been so lucky to have the past four years. Beyond this, even when I’m home I find myself missing UConn when watching a college basketball game. Most importantly, I plan on being a donor to HuskyTHON for as long as I can. Anything I can do to be a supportive alumnus I plan upon, as a thanks to the organization that’s given more than I can simply put to words.
