Dr. Starlin Astacio earned his B.S. in HDFS from UConn in 2016. Since then, Starlin has built a career rooted in healing, advocacy, and education. He subsequently earned an M.S. in Couple and Family Therapy from Central Connecticut State University in 2019 and a Ph.D. in Couple and Family Therapy from Antioch University in 2023. For over a decade, he has worked as a bilingual relational psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and DEI leader, centering his clinical, supervisory, and research expertise around LGBTQ+ communities. During his time at Hartford Healthcare, he co-founded and co-chaired the DEI Council and executive committees at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, and in 2021, he was honored with the AAMFT Diversity Scholarship for Emerging Leaders for his ongoing work in health equity and inclusion.

Today, he maintains a private practice in Connecticut and New York that is inclusive, innovative, and grounded in the healing power of Self-Leadership. He focuses his clinical work on addressing the disparities faced by minoritized populations, using culturally responsive and trauma-informed modalities like Internal Family Systems (IFS). He also serves as associate faculty at Antioch University New England, where he teaches foundational courses and supervises master’s students in the Couple and Family Therapy program. In addition, he teaches in the Sexuality Education Program at the University of Guelph in Canada, educating health professionals on inclusive sex education practices. He also remains connected to UConn, where he has taught courses in the Human Development and Family Sciences department—an experience that continues to hold deep meaning for him. Looking ahead, his long-term goal is to build an institute that offers clinical services to clients, practicum and supervision opportunities for students, and ongoing training and workshops for psychotherapists to expand their scope of practice.

Outside of work, he finds joy in visiting family in the Caribbean, spending time with his loved ones, and supporting community initiatives that empower underserved populations. He believes in maintaining wellness from the inside out—integrating mental and physical self-care into his daily life has been transformational. He is deeply grateful to UConn HDFS for laying the foundation of his professional journey and for continuing to be a meaningful part of his path.

Dr. Georgia Powell earned her Bachelor of Science in HDFS with a minor in Gerontology from UConn in 2000. Since then, she has dedicated her career to improving health outcomes and advancing mental wellness across vulnerable populations. With over 25 years of experience, she has held leadership roles in the healthcare and insurance industries. Her work has focused on clinical operations, public health education, research, and program implementation, especially in underserved communities.

Dr. Powell is the Founder and Executive Director of Powell Mental Health and Powell Consulting Services. In these roles, she leads culturally responsive, trauma-informed programs that promote accessible care and community-based wellness. She also certifies professionals and community members as Mental Health First Aiders nationwide. In addition to her consulting and clinical work, Dr. Powell is an adjunct professor, national speaker, and advocate for mental health equity. In a full-circle moment, Dr. Powell will return to UConn HDFS this fall as a professor, where she will teach and inspire future leaders in the field, emphasizing the vital importance of supporting and advocating for the older adult population. Her future goals include expanding her wellness model internationally and advocating for policies that improve care coordination for older adults and marginalized groups.

Outside of her professional life, Dr. Powell is a wife and proud mother of two. She enjoys faith-based service, wellness retreats, and uplifting other women through mentorship. She remains active in her community through leadership on multiple boards, including Hartford Healthcare, UConn Center on Aging, and the Network Against Domestic Abuse. Her work is grounded in a passion for service, advocacy, and community healing, values she first embraced at UConn and from her late grandmother, Vashti Mills.

Amy Watkins (BA ’99), was featured in a project that recently won a New England Emmy! In the documentary, Ghost Shoes, tells the story of this unique project and the victims it honors, thus putting faces and names to those most affected by pedestrian deaths. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vQ4nuIRfWI.  Amy now works at Connecticut Children’s Injury Prevention Center. Watch for Me CT is her main campaign (https://watchformect.org/).

Lynna Vo ’24 (ED), ’25 MA, earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education with a math focus and minor in human development and family sciences. She will be an ETA in Vietnam for her Fulbright. https://today.uconn.edu/2025/06/six-recent-graduates-earn-spots-in-fulbright-u-s-student-program/

I entered UConn in Fall 1975 majoring in Home Economics Education. During my time at UConn not only did I get an excellent education, but I also met my husband. I loved my coursework, especially the classes in the Child Development and Family Relations (CDFR) department, which eventually become HDFS. When it came time for student teaching I knew without a doubt I had made the right decision. My job search took me right back to where I started, and I was hired as a Home Economics teacher at my alma mater, Platt High School, in Meriden CT. I earned my Masters Degree from UConn a few years later.  In 2005 I had the opportunity to become part of the early piloting of HDFS 190 (which later became HDFS 1070) as part of the Early College Experience program. This experience changed the whole direction of my career in a very positive, fulfilling way. In 2008 I was in the “right place at the right time” and was offered the chance by Kathy Brophy to teach a summer session of the course at the Waterbury campus. This first opportunity grew into teaching the course during fall and spring semesters, not only in Waterbury, but also Torrington and Hartford. I taught evening and late afternoon classes for the next ten years, traveling to different campuses after a full day at Platt. My hope was that the adjunct position would continue after I retired.

When I retired in 2018 from a 39-year teaching career at Platt High School I knew I wasn’t done! I planned to continue my adjunct teaching, but I was afraid that 1 or 2 courses might not be enough, so I reached out to the University of Saint Joseph and have been teaching for them as well! Although my time at UConn must come to an end due to our planned move out of state, I am not ready to stop teaching! I have been offered an online course at USJ and have made a connection with a university near our new home as I am still not done! I met with the department chair recently and I am hopeful that I will be offered an adjunct position there.

It has been our plan for many years to move somewhere warm after we retired. After visiting different places, we decided upon Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, where we are currently building a home. After living in CT and raising our three children here it was not an easy decision, but the warmth of the south calls us. Our kids live around the country – San Francisco, Chicago, and Charleston. We have 3 young grandchildren whom we adore and make every effort to visit once a month in Chicago!

In my free time, I love to read, sew, and plan the next visit to see the grands! My husband and I also enjoy traveling and have several trips coming up. My favorite vacation is anything involving the beach, so our move to South Carolina will make me feel as if we are on vacation all the time!

Congratulations to Sarah McKee (PhD ’23), who just started a position as Nutrition Specialist at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts!

Lisa (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!