FYE Teaching Excellence 2024

Annie Casarella

Annie Casarella has taught FYE classes since 2017. As an international student advisor in the Center for International Student and Scholar Services, a mother, a world traveler, a humanist, and constructivist, Annie brings her expertise to bear on the holistic success of students in her classes which are tailored specifically for first year international students. She combines reflective practice and timely interventions throughout the semester and engages her students in a culturally responsive and inclusive learning environment.

John T. Szarlan FYE Mentor Award 2024

Anytra Culbreath Evans

Anytra Culbreath Evans is a junior Human Development and Family Sciences and Sociology major at the Storrs campus. As an FYE mentor, Anytra displayed an outstanding ability to connect with others, making students feel heard, valued, and supported, both in-class and outside of class. After serving as an FYE mentor in the fall, she has continued her work connecting with students as a Mentor Coach at the Academic Achievement Center.

Lucas Denucci

Lucas Denucci is a sophomore in Chemical Engineering at the Storrs campus. He served as a peer mentor in the Engineering Learning Community in the fall, where he supported students both personally and academically. Lucas went above and beyond, organizing study sessions during the most stressful times of the semester and thoughtfully tailoring his mentorship to the needs of his fellow future engineers.

Stephanie Mora-Gutierrez

Stephanie Mora-Gutierrez is a sophomore Psychological Science major with a minor in Behavioral Neuroscience at the Stamford campus. Part of the very first cohort of FYE peer mentors at Stamford, Stephanie embraced the opportunity to not only introduce students to UConn, but also encourage them to explore Stamford through a “Stamford Map” activity where students explored the city. Described as an “instant friend” by students in her class, Stephanie made genuine connections and continues to stay engaged with La Comunidad Intelectual learning community.

FYE Teaching Innovation Award 2024

Dr. Fany DeJesus Hannon

Dr. Fany DeJesus Hannon is a long-time FYE instructor and our amazing Dean of Students. Through her innovative, community-based lesson plans, Dr. Hanon empowers her students to discover the “hidden” powers they have in themselves, and cultivates an authentic, co-agentic learning experience where knowledge is created for student and instructor alike. Her classes incorporate experiential learning practices to facilitate connection and belonging for all students.

FYE Impact Award 2024

Daniel Facchinetti

Dan Facchinetti is the Director of Educational Technologies in the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. Not only has he taught FYE classes for many years, but he has been a trusted guide of the digital learning aspect of the FYE program. He has worked to update our HuskyCT templates, navigate the transition to Ultra, create a new “FYE Supermarket” framework, host workshops especially for FYE instructors and provide them with direct support. His contributions to our program have been invaluable and have impacted the success of thousands of FYE students each year.

FYE Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award 2024

Sarah Cooper

Sarah Cooper is graduating from UConn’s Neag School of Education with a Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs. One student described her as putting her all into the class, which showed in her support for both students and her mentor this fall. As she grew into her own confidence as a new instructor, she empowered her mentor to do the same. Through a challenging semester, Cooper created an inclusive and welcoming space for all students.

First Year Experience

2024 Annual FYE Award Recipients

FYE Teaching Excellence Award 2024

FYE Teaching Excellence 2024

Annie Casarella