Dear Colleagues,

Following a comprehensive five-year review, I am pleased to share that Dr. Jason Irizarry has been reappointed for a second five-year term as Dean of the Neag School of Education, effective August 23, 2026. I extend my sincere appreciation to the review committee, and to all faculty, staff, students, and partners who contributed valuable insights during the process.

Since his appointment in 2021, Dean Irizarry has led the Neag School of Education with vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to equity, access, and excellence. Under his leadership, the School has advanced its academic programs, expanded student support, deepened community engagement, and strengthened its national profile as a top- 30 Public Graduate School of Education.

During his tenure, the School has achieved notable gains in student success and access, including the expansion of the Early College Experience (ECE) program from 201 students in 2021–22 to over 900 students across 25 districts in 2024–25. The Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates (TCPCG) and the UConn Administrator Preparation Program (UCAPP) have been redesigned to improve affordability, quality, and alignment with workforce needs. Scholarships for students have doubled, and application fee waivers have supported the recruitment of a more diverse doctoral student body.

Dean Irizarry has also championed excellence in academic and research initiatives. During his tenure, the Neag School launched the Center for Connecticut Education Research Collaboration (CCERC), introduced the Neag School of Education Journal, and supported the creation of Rapid Research Briefs for Alliance Districts. The School’s extramural funding portfolio continues to grow and now comprises roughly one-third of its operating budget. Dean Irizarry’s leadership has been instrumental in enhancing research infrastructure, promoting faculty scholarship, and securing the largest individual philanthropic gift the School has received in 25 years.

A steadfast advocate for equity and inclusion, Dean Irizarry has prioritized diversifying the educator workforce, expanding outreach efforts, and embedding equity throughout the School’s strategic priorities. Under his leadership, the Neag School became a member of the National Holmes Scholars Program to support underrepresented doctoral students. He has been widely recognized as an equity-driven, collaborative leader who fosters a culture of transparency, shared governance, and community.

Across the university and state, Dean Irizarry is known as a respected partner and advocate. He has cultivated meaningful relationships with K–12 educators, policy leaders, alumni, and donors, strengthening the School’s impact and elevating its visibility. Stakeholders consistently describe him as an accessible, principled, and innovative leader who brings compassion and strategic thinking to the complex challenges facing education today.

Please join me in congratulating Dean Jason Irizarry on his reappointment. I look forward to our continued work together to advance the mission of the Neag School of Education and to support the faculty, staff, students, and partners in making education more effective, equitable, and just for all.

Best,

Pamir Alpay

Pamir Alpay, PhD

Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Please refer to the FY27 Provost Fund Guidance available at this link.

We are pleased to announce that Emmanouil (Manos) Anagnostou, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor and Eversource Energy Endowed Chair in Environmental Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has been appointed as executive director of UConn’s Institute of the Environment (IoE), which under Manos’ leadership, will be re-envisioned as the Institute of the Environment and Energy. This change reflects the growing intersection of environmental and energy challenges and UConn’s commitment to research, education, and outreach in these critical areas.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Mike Willig, the founding director of the IoE, who retired in the summer of 2024. Under Mike’s leadership, the Institute has fostered interdisciplinary collaboration and advanced impactful research, making significant contributions to environmental science and policy.

Manos brings extensive experience and vision to this role. At the Eversource Energy Center and as Executive Director of UConn’s Tech Park, Manos has spearheaded groundbreaking research and innovation in energy systems, sustainability, and technological advancement. His expertise in hydrology, remote sensing, and climate resilience will be invaluable as the institute expands its focus to include energy alongside environmental stewardship.

The Institute of the Environment and Energy will continue to serve as a hub for collaborative research, addressing pressing environmental and energy challenges through innovative solutions, education, and community engagement. We are confident that Manos will position the Institute to further enhance UConn as a leader in environmental and energy research.

Please join us in welcoming Manos to his new role and in expressing our heartfelt appreciation to Mike Willig for his years of dedicated service.

Sincerely,

Anne D’Alleva
Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Pamir Alpay
Vice President for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Dear Colleagues,

As we enter a new year and begin another semester, I want to take a moment to welcome you back to campus. I hope your winter break provided opportunities for rest, reflection, and rejuvenation.

Looking back on the past year, there is so much to be proud of as a university community. The innovative and impactful research happening across UConn continues to inspire us all. Whether it’s groundbreaking advancements in quantum technology and sustainability, new approaches in health and biomedical engineering, or thought-provoking explorations in the humanities that deepen our understanding of the human experience, our faculty and students are making discoveries that truly matter. The creativity and dedication behind this work reflect the very best of what UConn stands for—a commitment to excellence and a drive to make a difference in the world.

At the same time, our academic programs continue to grow and evolve in exciting ways. The School of Social Work launched a fully online and part-time Master of Social Work program that began this fall, and added an offering of the MSW program on the Stamford campus, expanding access to our nationally recognized MSW degree. The School of Business introduced a Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, capitalizing on student interest, faculty expertise, and national demand for supply-chain management positions. The dedication of our faculty and staff to fostering excellence in teaching and learning is at the heart of this progress.

Last year, we took important steps to strengthen the ways we support our students by aligning student success support services and the cultural centers and programs with academic and co-curricular experiences in the division of Academic Affairs. This transition emphasizes the importance of creating a cohesive network of resources that empower student achievement and well-being. We also know that the success of our students can start well before they step foot on campus. Each year, more than 17,000 Connecticut high school students participate in UConn’s Early College Experience program, providing them with a strong foundation for their future academic journeys.

As we look to the semester ahead, I encourage you to take pride in our shared achievements and find new opportunities to connect, collaborate, and make an impact in your own work. Together, we continue to shape the future of this institution and the students who call UConn home.

Thank you for all that you bring to our community. I wish you a rewarding and successful semester.

Sincerely,

Anne

Anne D’Alleva, PhD
Provost and Executive Vice President
University of Connecticut
Office of the Provost
352 Mansfield Road, U-1086
Storrs CT 06269-1086
Tel. 860-486-4037

UConn is a great university.

But it’s more than that. A top-ranked Land Grant and Sea Grant research institution, with campuses and staff across Connecticut,  built to inspire the global community that is UConn Nation. UConn’s talented students exceed expectations. Our expert researchers, faculty, and alumni drive Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (CIE) for a better tomorrow. We fuel the State’s economy and are committed to inclusion with emotional intelligence in benefiting the greater good. This is UConn.

 STUDENTS FIRST. UCONN ALWAYS. HUSKIES FOREVER.

Dear Colleagues,

I write with an update about the leadership at our School of Business.  In recent conversations with Dean Elliott about his future plans, we discussed the many coming changes in the school and at the University.   John has decided, upon reflection, that he is ready to step down to assume a new role at UConn as a faculty member. The efforts that are about to be launched will benefit from continuity of leadership over the coming several years. To accommodate the transition to new leadership John will step down as Dean on January 2, 2025, take a well-deserved research leave, and return to the faculty. Few deans have served as long as Dean Elliott and we are grateful to him for his service.

I will be making an announcement about an interim dean and the launch of a national search for a permanent dean shortly, but first it is important to highlight a few of Dean Elliott’s many accomplishments. During his deanship, the UConn School of Business has expanded the size of both the faculty and student populations.  He elevated Entrepreneurship across the UConn campus, growing CCEI and IQ and partnering with the newly created Werth Institute.  The Boucher Department of Management and Entrepreneurship was named and funded.  Experiential learning continued to be a cornerstone of the School of Business.  It is exemplified by growing student managed funds, the emergence of the Hillside Ventures portfolio of programs, the consulting club, and more.  He helped to introduce academic programs, initially growing the new MS in Business Analytics and Project Management and the MS in Financial Risk Management.  More recently the School developed an online MBA program, a new Master of Science in Financial Technology, and a Master of Science in Social Responsibility and Impact in Business.   A new MS in Supply Chain Management is in development.

The School’s presence at the regional campuses has been transformed with Stamford having several full four year undergraduate programs as well as graduate programs.  In Hartford the Graduate Business Learning Center has grown from four floors to six to house growing activities. He led the successful reaccreditation of the school in 2016 and again in 2021 and achieved consistent growth in fundraising to support the school.  The Business Connections Learning community has grown from one floor of Belden Hall to include all six floors.  A virtual version is maturing in Stamford.  Our alumni have been engaged at every step in this journey.

I would be remiss if I did not point out Dean Elliott’s important and broad service to the university, as interim provost, senate member, chairing search and reappointment committees, and in many other leadership roles.  John is known for his talents in communicating, his careful listening habits, his honesty and integrity, as well as his ability to collaborate with others. He has been an empathetic and highly effective academic leader to whom we owe our gratitude for his dedication and work on behalf of the university.

Please join me both in congratulating Dean Elliott on his highly successful tenure as dean and his return to the faculty and also in thanking him for his dedication and hard work on behalf of the school and the university over the past 12 and half years.

All best,
Anne

Anne D’Alleva, PhD
Provost and Executive Vice President
University of Connecticut
Office of the Provost
352 Mansfield Road, U-1086
Storrs CT 06269-1086
Tel. 860-486-4037

UConn is a great university.

But it’s more than that. A top-ranked Land Grant research institution, with campuses and staff across Connecticut, built to inspire the global community that is UConn Nation. UConn’s talented students exceed expectations. Our expert researchers, faculty, and alumni drive Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (CIE) for a better tomorrow. We fuel the State’s economy and are committed to inclusion with emotional intelligence in benefiting the greater good. This is UConn.

STUDENTS FIRST. UCONN ALWAYS. HUSKIES FOREVER.

Winter Weather & Academic Operations FAQ – Fall 2024

Please review the following information regarding weather-related and emergency policies and procedures at the UConn Storrs and regional campuses.

For further clarification, please refer to the Emergency Closing Policy available through the Office of University Compliance. Emergency Closing Policy | University Policies (uconn.edu)

Please note that the information provided does not apply to UConn Health, which has established its own relevant policies. Closing and Cancellations | UConn Health

Safety First:

The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is of utmost importance. At the same time, the University remains committed to fulfilling its essential missions in teaching, research, and service. These priorities are carefully balanced when determining whether the University can maintain safe and effective operations during and after inclement weather or other unusual events.

Decisions to cancel classes or modify business operations across campuses are made with caution, based on the latest information regarding weather forecasts, road conditions, and other relevant factors.

Please prioritize your own safety first. Since weather and road conditions may differ across the state and from one UConn campus to another, all members of the University community are encouraged to assess their own circumstances, plan additional time for travel if necessary, and take reasonable safety precautions.

Employees and students are reminded to exercise particular care when traveling on campus during inclement weather, especially near vehicles engaged in plowing and sanding activities.

Instructions for signing up to receive text message notifications regarding schedule changes, cancellations, emergencies, and other critical information are available under the “Get Alerts” section of the UConnALERT page: UConn Alert | Get Alerts

UConn Status Updates:

The Office of Emergency Management strives to notify the University community promptly if it becomes necessary to delay or cancel classes, close campuses, or alter business operations.

Because conditions can change rapidly, adjustments to scheduled classes and business operations may sometimes need to be made with limited notice. The University also adheres to directives from the Governor regarding the closure of state agencies, the release of employees from work, and restrictions on road travel due to weather conditions.

For the most definitive and up-to-date information on the University’s operating status, please visit the UConnALERT page: UConn Alert | Get Alerts

UConn community members at all locations, except UConn Health, may also call the 24-hour emergency closing information number at 860-486-3768 for updates.

While the University notifies media outlets about changes to campus operations, it cannot guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of information reported by news sources.

Decisions to cancel or continue specific services, such as transportation, are made on a case-by-case basis, reflecting current conditions and needs.

The Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, UConn Athletics, and units sponsoring activities or events will decide independently whether to continue or cancel events. Please contact these units directly with any questions

Class Cancellations, Delays, or Early Closures:

If the university has announced a delay or cancellation of classes, the delay or cancellation pertains only to in-person classes.  In the case of online or hybrid modality classes, instructors may choose whether to hold the class as scheduled or cancel.  In cases where instructors choose to hold the class, the following conditions must be met:

• The class must be provided in an online format.
• The class must be recorded in a manner that allows students to view it later.
• Students must be given at least 72 hours (starting from when classes are once again held) to view the missed class before any materials from that class are used again in the course.
• Students must not be penalized for not being present synchronously.

Some additional relevant information and clarifications:

• For cancellations, any class with meeting times that overlap with the cancellation period is considered fully canceled. For delays, classes beginning prior to the delayed start time are entirely canceled, and for early closures, classes beginning before the closing time are also canceled.  The one exception to this guideline is student clinical placement which will not be fully canceled even when overlapping with the cancellation period.  When a clinical placement day is scheduled, students should expect to report to the clinical site in concert with university open hours (e.g., if the university announces a 10am delayed opening, students with clinical placement work should report to their clinical site at 10am).
• For canceled in-person classes, instructors have the option of providing asynchronous class materials on any day (including on the day of the cancellation); however, if such materials are being provided in lieu of a canceled class, it is essential that students are given 72 hours to view those materials before they are used again in the class.
• Assessments or exams cannot be required on days when classes are canceled, even if they can be administered online.
• In situations where there is inclement weather and the University has not closed, instructors may change the modality of their in-person classes to online at their discretion.
• If an instructor determines they cannot safely travel to campus, they must notify all students in a timely manner and inform their dean and department head.
• Instructors are expected to respect students’ decisions not to travel to campus or to leave early if needed to ensure their own safety. Options for making up missed work should be offered to these students.

These guidelines aim to ensure fairness and equity for all students. Some students may face unique challenges during an emergency event, such as the need to provide dependent care, lack of Wi-Fi access due to power outages, or limited smartphone access. Please consider these circumstances when University closures are warranted.

More general information regarding the university closing policy can be found at https://policy.uconn.edu/2011/10/27/emergency-closing-policy-2010-2011/ and at https://hr.uconn.edu/applying-emergency-closing-policy/.

Who Reports to Campus:

Emergency and essential staff are required to remain at or report to in-person work as directed.

Employees who choose not to come to campus or who decide to leave early due to travel safety concerns may use vacation days, personal time, or other accrued time without prior approval but must notify their supervisors accordingly. With supervisor approval, remote work may also be an option.

Employees who typically work on-site but are advised by UConn not to report to campus due to weather or other operational changes are expected to work from home, unless they have a supervisor-approved flexible schedule or choose to use accrued time (e.g., vacation or personal time).

All employees working remotely are expected to remain accessible and responsive to supervisors during work hours via email and telephone. Supervisors may require that assigned work suitable for remote completion be finished on time.

Supervisors may also make reasonable adjustments to ensure the continuity of University operations, such as holding meetings by teleconference or virtually, with the expectation that employees who would normally be present participate. Supervisors are encouraged to be mindful of challenges that storms may present, including potential power or internet outages affecting employees.

For further clarification of these expectations, please refer to UConn’s Emergency Closing Policy and the guidance available on the Human Resources site. Applying the University’s Emergency Closing Policy | Human Resources (uconn.edu)

Once again, we emphasize the critical importance of safety. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to carefully assess their individual circumstances, exercise sound judgment, and prioritize their safety when making decisions during inclement weather and emergency situations at UConn Storrs and regional campuses.

Common Questions:

1. Can an instructor give an extra assignment when a class is canceled?

Yes, as long as the assignment can be completed in the student’s own time and only counts toward participation or engagement. Assigning any additional work as a new assessment that would factor into the final grade—if it was not outlined in the syllabus—is generally not permitted.

2. I teach multiple synchronous sections across different campuses, typically meeting in classrooms, but also allowing students to join remotely. Can I hold these classes remotely if the campus is closed and accommodate students with recorded sessions or individual make-up work?

Yes, provided that the four conditions from the policy noted above are met.

3. I teach an in-person class. Is it acceptable for me to record a lecture on a canceled class day and assign it for students to watch before our next meeting?

Possibly.  This depends on when the next class meeting is scheduled and whether understanding the material in the next class is dependent on having watched the prior (recorded) class.  Students must be given at least 72 hours (from university reopening) to watch any missed materials before that material is needed for the course (this could be for a subsequent lecture, assessment, etc.)

4. I teach lab/studio classes that are scheduled for three hours. Should this class be fully canceled, or can it begin late once the regular schedule resumes? Alternatively, is it acceptable to end the class early if the institution announces an early closure?

The class should be fully canceled. Classes scheduled to overlap with any part of the cancellation period are considered canceled. For delays, classes starting before the delay period are canceled, and for early closures, classes beginning before the closure time are also canceled.

5. If I teach an online class, and classes are canceled, am I obligated to still teach the class and meet the four conditions noted in the policy.

No. Choosing to teach a class in an online format (regardless of the original modality) during a university closure is solely at the discretion of the instructor.