Director of News and Editorial Communications

Tom Breen

Tom Breen has been at UConn since 2012, serving as a news writer, deputy spokesperson, manager for special projects, UConn Today editor, and, as of January 2021, director of news and editorial communications. Prior to UConn, he worked as a reporter for The Associated Press, covering health care, religion, and state government in West Virginia and North Carolina, and before the AP, he worked at newspapers in Connecticut and Massachusetts. He is the author of two books about Christianity and contemporary culture, and has published short fiction in many periodicals and anthologies. A second-generation Husky, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2000. He is the co-founder of the award-winning UConn 360 podcast and has given presentations on UConn history to community groups throughout Connecticut. He lives in Manchester, is active in volunteer organizations, and recommends that you try the coconut flavor at the Dairy Bar.


Author Archive

UConn researcher Tannin Schmidt

Meet the Researcher: Tannin Schmidt, Biomedical Engineering

UConn researcher Tannin Schmidt is constantly pursuing discoveries that could lead to new opportunities.

Protesters hold a sign in support of Black Lives Matter during the Commitment March on August 28, 2020 in Washington, DC.

New Course Introduces Students to US Anti-Black Racism

A new course will introduce UConn students to the foundational history of systemic and anti-Black racism in the U.S. that underlies the current Black Lives Matter movement. 

Anthony T. Vella, professor and Boehringer Ingelheim chair in immunology, left, speaks with President and CEO, Bijan Almassian and Valerian Nakaar, vice president for research and development, and Kepeng Wang, assistant professor of immunology at CaroGen Corporation's technology incubation lab in Farmington

UConn Health, CaroGen Collaborate on Promising Technology for Colorectal Cancer Treatment

UConn Health researchers, along with industry partners, have developed a promising potential candidate for treating colorectal cancer.

Starr Hall at the UConn School of Law campus

UConn Law Alumna Gives to Asylum Clinic That Forged Her Career Path

Lauren Kostes '15 JD, now an attorney specializing in immigration law in Arizona, reflects on how a UConn School of Law clinic helped her choose her path in life.

UConn Extension’s Velazquez Answers Nutrition Questions on Radio Amor

UConn Extension educator Zoraida Velazquez has become a popular Bridgeport-area radio personality thanks to her weekly call-in show on food and nutrition.

An illustration depicting the coronavirus microbe.

Study: COVID-19 Messaging Less Effective When Tied to Trump

A study by UConn's InCHIP finds that messaging related to the COVID-19 pandemic is less effective when linked to President Donald Trump.

Physical education teacher encouraging students doing push-ups. (Hero Images via Getty Images)

UConn’s KSI Launches innovATe Program to Aid High School Athletes

UConn's Korey Stringer Institute is launching a new program to bring the medical care provided by athletic trainers to more secondary school athletes.

School children using computers. (Tetra Images – Erik Isakson/Getty Images)

UConn Researchers Lead National Collaborative Effort to Improve Gifted Education Programs

UConn researchers will lead a national effort to improve gifted education, funded by a $5 million federal grant.

Xiaomei Cong, associate professor of nursing, on June 4, 2015

Meet the Researcher: Xiaomei Cong, School of Nursing

UConn researcher Xiaomei Cong's work builds on insights she first had as a nurse in a neonatal intensive care unit.

A collage showing college students engaged in various activities related to human rights

UConn Receives $1M Gift and Match Challenge for Human Rights Institute 

UConn's Human Rights Institute has launched a $1M gift and match challenge, thanks to the generosity of two longtime donors.