FYE Instructor of the Year 2017-2018
Shoshana Armington
Academic Adviser, School of Engineering
Shoshana completed both her B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies and her M.A. in Education Psychology at the University of Connecticut. Go Huskies! Her professional experiences in education over the past eight years have helped shape her holistic approach to the field of advising and teaching. In March 2014, she joined the School of Engineering’s advising team and currently advised undecided engineering, regional campus engineering, and exploring engineering students. Her primary responsibilities are to advise engineering students at all UConn campuese regarding course scheudling, degree planning, and career enhancement. She also monitors student progress, assists during academic and personal difficulties, and coordinates prospective engineering and orientation registration sessions. In addition to her advising role, Shoshana teaches a first-year seminar course for the Engineering House Learning Community and a Transition Seminar course for campus change and transfer engineering students.
Renée M. Gilberti, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator, McNair Scholars Program
Because of a hands-on microbiology course during high school, Dr. Gilberti studied microbiology at the University of New Hampshire (B.S., 2003). Without becoming involved in undergraduate research, she would not have known she wanted to earn a Ph.D. or be a scientist. She then graduated from UConn with a Ph.D. in cell biology in 2011, and was a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at UConn Health in biochemistry until returning to Storrs as Program Coordinator of the McNair Scholars Program. A lifelong learner, she is currently finishing a M.S. in exercise science this May.
Since April 2013, Dr. Gilberti (known to her students as Dr. Renée) has worked one-on-one with first generation and underrepresented college students of the McNair Scholars Program to equip them with the tools and confidence to pursue a graduate education in STEM. Dr. Gilberti designed and has been the Instructor of Record for UNIV 1820 First Year Experience, Exploring STEM Research 101, since Spring 2014, and UNIV 2100, Preparation for STEM Academic Research, for sophomores and juniors since Spring 2013. In both courses, the emphasis is on building strong critical thinking and writing skills, fostering meaningful connections with UConn STEM graduate students and professors, and becoming immersed in undergraduate research projects. It is truly rewarding to see students recognize and capitalize on their true potential.
FYE Mentor of the Year 2017-2018
Jamie Katzenberger
Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies, Expected Graduation May 2019
Jamie is originally from Roxbury Township, New Jersey and is completing a duel major in Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies at UConn. On campus, she is a Bodywise Instructor, a member of Alpha Phi Sorority, and a FYE Teaching Assistant.
Jamie was a student in Harry Twyman’s FYE class her first year at UConn and then became his mentor in Fall 2017. Her approach for mentoring was to befriend her students and bring a positive energy that made them feel comfortable in their new environment. She dedicated her time to making her students’ adjustment smooth acting as a resource to her students inside and outside of the classroom. She saw growth within herself and will take what she learned in her FYE experience to help her accomplish her goal of becoming a therapist.
Juanyi (Michelle) Li
Elementary education, Expected Graduation May 2020
Juanyi comes from China and is enthusiastic about the field of education. She attended University 1800 and 1820 classes in her freshman year and decided to be a mentor to help new university students using creative teaching method. She planned in-class mini-sessions and out-of-class experiences from start to finish, taking the lead in discussions and creating memorable photo collages and videos of the scavenger hunt for students to enjoy. She wishes to extend her passionate of education into future career as a professional teacher and leader. In addition to FYE, Juanyi has been active in SAT and ESOL tutoring and volunteering for Mansfield Youth Services COPE mentoring program and Campus Big Buddies.