Author: Janice Berriault

Laura Donorfio heads up UConn Waterbury’s 3rd Annual Pride Party

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Headshot, Laura Donorfio
Laura Donorfio

Laura Donorfio, Katherine Garcia (undergraduate student), and Joanna Szeto (UConn Alum) organized UConn Waterbury’s 3rd Annual Pride Party (4/1/25). This year’s theme was “Trans Rights are Human Rights” (National Trans Day of Visibility occurs on 5/31) and featured 2 UConn alum and 1 undergraduate student as keynote speakers: Matt Blinstrubas, Executive Director, from Equality CT (2009); Alderman Bilal Tajildeen, 5th District of Waterbury (UConn ‘12), and Tyler Rivera, Waterbury undergraduate student, sharing his life and trans experience. Over 17 community organizations and businesses from across Connecticut participated, sharing LGBTQIA+ resources and opportunities, including the health department with free STI testing. Also, UConn Waterbury’s Career Center, Library, and Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) shared essential LGBTQIA+ resources. Over 100+ students and faculty attended. The goal of the Pride Party is to be educational and to create a campus environment where all identities and all colors feel respected and welcomed.

Keith Bellizzi interviewed by STAT News (Boston Media Globe)

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headshot, Keith BellizziSTAT News, a Boston Globe Media company, recently interviewed Keith Bellizzi for a story “As more patients get automated test results, researchers seek ways to calm their nerves,” to accompany a newly published study in JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(4):e254019. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.4019. Story link: https://www.statnews.com/2025/04/08/what-refreshing-your-online-medical-test-result-page-says-about-anxiety/

HDFS Welcomes Eliza Nokomis, Educational Program Assistant

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Eliza grew up in the Quiet Corner of Connecticut, surrounded by UConn sports fans and sledding on Horsebarn Hill as a child. While completing her degree, she served as her university’s Vice President of Habitat for Humanity, helping to build houses in West Virginia and rebuilding NOLA after Hurricane Katrina. She focused her studies on socio-economic barriers to women and children, helping her Department Chair census our local homeless population and then open the No Freeze shelter in Willimantic. Many of her family members were nurses at the Mansfield Training School, and at 19 she began her State Service working for the CT Department of Developmental Services’ newly established group homes in the UConn area. Throughout college she also interned at the Willimantic Juvenile Court, managed a Naturopathic Physician’s office and volunteered frequently with local social service agencies.

Eliza first joined the UConn community as a staff member at SHaW, before relocating to Northern Arizona, where she supported their local university until her children had graduated high school. At Northern Arizona University she served as a CLAS graduate advisor, helped create, test, and implement their Business Center model and also worked in Student Accounts & Financial Aid. As beautiful as the red rocks may be, Eliza was not made for land locked life and is very happy to be home in New England again. When not at HDFS, she can be found gardening, baking, or walking her dog.

LaRusso and Ferreira van Leer highlighted in UConn Today article

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Headshot, Maria LaRusso
Maria LaRusso
Headshot, Kevin Ferreira van Leer
Kevin Ferreira van Leer

UConn Today recently highlighted Maria LaRusso and Kevin Ferreira van Leer for their participation in the public health celebration with the UConn Public Health House Learning Community where they were part of a panel of researchers sharing their work on school and child health and how undergraduates can get involved in research. https://today.uconn.edu/2025/04/learning-community-students-celebrate-public-health-week-with-child-health-researchers/

Lisa (Villamana) Kilcourse, HDFS Alumni Spotlight, April 2025

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Headshot, Lisa KilcourseLisa (Villamana) Kilcourse earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies and minored in Psychology at the University of Connecticut, Storrs campus. Shortly after she graduated in 2005, she earned her Master of Science in Counselor Education: School Counseling at Western Connecticut State University as well as her certification as a Connecticut School Counselor (2009).

After working for several years in Weston Public Schools as a Paraprofessional, Intern, Permanent Building Substitute, and School Counselor, as well as a Bethel Public Schools Summer’s Best Program Teacher, Lisa Kilcourse is currently an elementary school counselor at Head O’Meadow Elementary School in Newtown Connecticut and has been there since December 2015. She has earned accolades such as 2021 CT School Counselor of the Year Runner Up and 2018-2019 Newtown Board of Education Profiles in Professionalism Award. Lisa was an American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Elementary School Counselor Affinity Group Leader (2021-2023) and has written several publications for the association, most recently, From the Chair: Making Magic at School (ASCA). She is also the current Chairman of the Connecticut School Counselor Association and has remained connected to school counselors across the state by serving in several roles such as VP Fairfield County, Director, Conference Planning Committee, and National School Counseling Week Workgroups in this association, beginning in 2018 and has been an active member of the association since graduate school. In August 2024, Lisa also became a Certified Yoga Teacher which has provided her with the opportunity to utilize yoga and mindfulness with students in a variety of ways.

Lisa enjoys giving back to the profession. She has been supervising school counselor practicum students and school counselor interns in her school building. In 2025, Lisa will begin teaching as an Adjunct Professor at Western Connecticut State University. Lisa is grateful for the connections and support from the many different avenues of her work in CT education and looks forward to continuing her work in helping others grow in their journey as lifelong learners.

Lisa enjoys finding balance by staying active, whether it be on a recumbent bike or through her own yoga practice. She also enjoys attending performances in Hartford, New Haven, and NYC and trying new restaurants in the area. She has been married since July 2010 to her UConn college sweetheart and Human Development and Family Studies Alum, Gregory Kilcourse (2004). They currently reside in Connecticut and enjoy cheering on the Huskies each year!

Andrea (Bouchard) Corcoran, HDFS Alumni Spotlight, April 2025

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Headshot, Andrea CorcoranAndrea (Bouchard) Corcoran earned her Bachelor of Arts in (HDFS) with minors in Gerontology and Sociology from UConn in 2013. Growing up, Andrea had a close relationship with her grandparents, who were a big influence in her life. Since graduating, Andrea has built a career advocating for the rights and wellbeing of older adults.

While earning her undergraduate degree, Andrea completed an internship at the Mansfield Senior Center, an experience that would play a pivotal role in shaping her professional journey. This internship provided her with invaluable hands-on experience and laid the foundation for her future careers in the municipal sector.

After graduation, Andrea worked part-time in senior activity roles at both the Glastonbury and Vernon Senior Centers. In 2015, Andrea’s career advanced when she was hired by the Town of Farmington as their Community & Recreation Program Assistant. In 2018, Andrea expanded her knowledge by earning a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management & Philanthropy from Bay Path University. This advanced degree equipped her with the tools to further her leadership abilities and strengthen her contributions to the local community. After five years of impactful work, Andrea was promoted to Senior Center Coordinator, where she continued to make a difference in the lives of seniors in the Farmington area.

In January 2023, Andrea accepted a new role as the Director of Senior Services for the Town of Southbury.

In May 2024, Andrea and her husband Chris, along with their cat Olivia, relocated to Watertown, CT. In addition to her professional work, Andrea is a proud member of the Tribury Rotary Club, where she actively participates in community service projects.