What these students, faculty and alumni have in common is success

WestConn professor of Chemistry Dr. Nicholas J. Greco, teaching high school students

How WestConn translates “applied learning” to high school studentsIn nearly every high school classroom sits a student who is ahead of the others. These young people understand the concepts faster, complete the work flawlessly, and often need a challenge the school can’t provide. Western Connecticut State University offers them an opportunity.
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A Personal Story About Immigration to the U.S.Associate dean of the Macricostas School of Arts and Sciences at WestConn Bernadette Ludwig, Ph.D., has many experiences that shaped her life. Her journey as an immigrant has informed both her research and now her debut as an author.
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Cha and Layla receive James Beard Award for Beverage Book Without Recipes

Unique perspective earns WestConn MFA mentors a major book awardWestconn teaching mentors Cha McCoy and Layla Schlack's book expands beyond a European focus on how wines can enhance the taste and improve enjoyment of food.
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New Grant Supports Message that Nicotine Doesn’t Help StudentsWestConn’s Health Services department will use $10,000 grant from the Western Connecticut Coalition to educate college students on the dangers associated with nicotine.
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Vision for Student Advisement Earns Award for DirectorAnnMarie Puleo, Director of the University Advisement Center at WestConn since 2022, has been recognized with a Millennial & Gen Z Award by the Westfair Business Journals.
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Fatherhood and Politics are Intertwined in Professor’s New BookIt’s safe to say most thoughts about fathers and fatherhood are personal. Dr. H. Howell Williams, associate professor of Political Science at WestConn, spent half a decade thinking in a different way, doing a deep dive on fatherhood in the U.S., it’s role in politics, and how the country is governed.
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WestConn music alumni tour Germany as cultural ambassadors“To represent Connecticut on the world stage as State Troubadour was an incredible honor, but to bring American roots and bluegrass music back to my own European roots made this journey that much more meaningful. Music is a universal language. Whether we are performing in a theater in Connecticut or sharing stories in Berlin, the core human experience of performing and songwriting remains exactly the same.”
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At WestConn, Joseph Iken has excelled at keeping his eyes on the prize

Joseph Iken has excelled at keeping his eyes on the prize“I like to do what I can to add fun events and activities on campus. Because WestConn is a smaller school, it offers a lot of opportunities. In addition to all of my volunteer work and classes, I’ve been able to work with a lot of different professors and work on a lot of different projects and clubs. You couldn’t do that at a larger school with more students fighting for the attention of the faculty.”
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Michaela Quinn found a way to follow family tradition — with her own twist“If you have a dream, definitely go after it. I wanted to challenge myself and graduate in three years, and I did. My goal was to be financially independent when I graduated, and finishing early helped accomplish that. It also felt good to follow in my mom’s footsteps by attending the Ancell School of Business. I’m proud to be a second-generation graduate within my immediate family because we both received excellent educations that have served us well in our careers.”
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Dr. April Moreira receives CSCU BOR Faculty Teaching Award“Dr. Moreira is a proud 2004 graduate of the social work program, and like many others, came to WCSU as a transfer student from Naugatuck Valley Community College. In her desire to advance her professional opportunities, in 2021 she earned a doctorate in Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University as part of its first DSW cohort. She is a living example of what I call the ‘continuum of quality’ of our state colleges and universities and how collaboratively, they produce a strong, viable workforce. Dr. Moreira was driven by a desire to give back and serve as an example to others about their limitless potential.”
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Dr. Danielle King receives CSCU BOR Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award“Dr. King exemplifies the highest standards of teaching excellence, student mentorship, pedagogical innovation, and a model for lifelong learning. Dr. King’s impact relative to student learning, the creation of an inclusive learning community, and commitment to continuous evolution designed to prepare students for the future make Dr. King truly deserving of this recognition.”
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Michael Azzi will soon be sworn in as an Air Force Intelligence Officer and receive an M.S. in Homeland Security“My academic track in Homeland Security at WestConn and my participation in AFROTC tie directly to each other. Both have given me so much insight about my future career in respect to crisis and disaster management, and time and resource efficiency. It’s been a wonderful cross-training experience. Add to that my leadership experience as SGA President, the flexibility I have been afforded in my work as a Graduate Intern, and WestConn’s cross-town agreement with Yale AFROTC, and they have all worked together to provide me with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
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Natalia Avendano’s non-linear path to her Nursing degree makes receiving it even sweeter“I wasn’t going to finish my degree, but everyone — including my husband — insisted that I absolutely had to finish. Family is very important to me; my husband and my children are my life, and I felt guilty about continuing. But the village that wrapped their arms around me and my family — from my nursing school friends to my family — they lifted me up so I could hold him up.”
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Curiosity and determination have propelled Yadira Reinoso within reach of her dream“Everyone has their own timeline in life. Just because someone seems ahead doesn’t mean you’re behind. Focus on your own journey, do everything with love and care, and be proud of how far you’ve come. Your future is what truly matters.”
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Led to Stay, Called to Teach: Jimmie Elizabeth “Liz” Timmons Nkonoki-Ward’s WestConn StoryWhen Jimmie Elizabeth “Liz” Timmons arrived at Danbury State Teachers College in 1953, the campus was far simpler than the WestConn students know today. Read more

Look for the helpers and you’ll find WestConn graduate student Ashley DeSiata“[I'm] stronger than I thought I was and have done things I never thought I could or would. It’s never too late to find what will make you feel accomplished. It’s okay to try new things, fail, and get back up after setbacks. It’s about overcoming adversity: you literally just have to keep going.”
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Student-Athlete Grace Parkosewich exemplifies Perseverance with a capital ‘P’“Don’t wait for the storm to pass — learn to walk through the storm. The person you will become is the strongest version of yourself. You’ll look back and realize you became the person you needed to be. It’s beautiful to experience. Anyone who has a success story has been through it and has scars. I was able to succeed because of support from my mom, my family, my roommates and teammates, and my professors. Their constant encouragement has been huge.”
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Music performance and Legal Studies major Hannah Alexander receives Barnard Award“Even though other programs also offered me scholarships, there was just something different about WestConn. I felt very secure in my choice to come here, and I would encourage anyone to consider this option. WestConn is the most friendly and welcoming place I looked at, and is so different from typical conservatory settings. Here, there is camaraderie and everyone lifts each other up. None of the other schools I considered could have offered a dual major experience this way, and I could not be more grateful for how the university supported me and made it work in my schedule.”
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Financial Management and Psychology major Gianna Fanelli receives Barnard Award“I am driven to support and uplift those around me as I understand how powerful it is to feel seen, supported, and capable. Education has given me structure and confidence, but it has also given me perspective — the awareness that my accomplishments rest upon a foundation built by others’ sacrifice. I am filled with gratitude, especially for my father who believed in me and my education even when life required him to carry more than most. To get the Barnard Award is not just recognition for the work I’ve put in, but his too.”
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2026 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award recipients excelled while engaged in dual degree pursuitsFanelli said, “The Financial Management and Psychology disciplines challenge me in different, yet complimentary ways. Together, they gave me both structure and perspective. It has clarified the kind of professional I aspire to become — someone who understands the financial frameworks that drive organizations, and the human dynamics that sustain them.”

Alexander said, “While I know music is and will always be a huge part of my life, I am ready to explore additional avenues and begin to branch out from my musical cocoon. After graduating, I hope to go to an Ivy League Law School. I’m interested in commercial law and its ties to the music community in areas like intellectual property and copyright law.”
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WCSU student Daniel Sousa Silva selected for Connecticut Poetry Circuit

WestConn student Daniel Sousa Silva selected for Connecticut Poetry Circuit“Poetry is important because it’s words and words hold a lot of power. Words can do a lot for people. It can make you feel seen, make you feel something you haven’t felt before, put words to thoughts and feelings you had, spread ideas, and make you feel alive or dead.”
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Dr. Donald Gagnon takes his ‘show on the road’ to share his love of theatre with his students“... since most of our students are focusing on performance, while I come to the field from the literary/history/criticism angle, I think it’s important for them to understand that there are other ways to appreciate the art — to find more to excite them and inform their understanding and work.”
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New WCSU science class turns the chemistry lab into a crime scene investigation

New science class turns the chemistry lab into a crime scene investigation “I have dreamed of contributing to the development of a forensic science major and/or minor here at WCSU because many of my students over the years have indicated their interest in such a major and there is a shortage of forensic scientists in the State of Connecticut; this course would perfectly support this endeavor.”
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First-generation WestConn student Elisa Cardona has a lot to celebrate this holiday season“Take advantage of all the opportunities at WestConn like the HSLP. It can be scary or nerve wracking to put yourself out there, but taking the leap of faith and taking a chance can help students gain more opportunities such as this one. There are so many staff members and peers that are supportive and willing to be the helping hand.”
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You can’t argue with the success of WestConn’s first all-female Moot Court team to qualify for the American Moot Court Association’s National Championship Tournament“WestConn’s 'superpower' is its culture. The students we have, the time and emotional commitment that they put into this, makes it an honor to spend time with them, and it’s not surprising that this was WestConn Moot Court’s most successful year.”

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