Thanks to about 550 individuals, the Neag School of Education garnered over $27,000 in contributions during UConn Gives 2025, along with $15,000 in challenges and matching gifts. The annual University-wide fundraising event raised about $5.4 million overall for UConn, with incoming donations to support everything from scholarships and academic programs to student groups and athletics. The Neag School promoted its different education-affiliated funds during this year’s event, held on April 21 and 22. Out of the 42 Neag School funds, the top three finishers were:

• UConn Husky Nutrition & Sport – $16,425 from 394 donors, including a $1,000 matching gift from Heather McDonald ’23 Ed.D., plus $10,000 from the President’s and Provost’s Project Leaderboard Challenge
• Dr. Sue Saunders Higher Education & Student Affairs (HESA) Professional Development Fund – $2,550 from 84 donors, including a $500 matching gift from Saunders
• Neag School Dean’s Fund – $1,242 from 12 donors, plus $5,000 from the President’s and Provost’s Unit Leaderboard Challenge

Housed in the Neag School of Education, UConn HNS is a U.S. Department of Agriculture, AmeriCorps, small local foundation, and private donation-funded effort to engage youth, adult caregivers of children, and adults eligible to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) in nutrition and physical education. The group collaborates with partners and educational programs across Connecticut, including a longtime partnership with the City of Hartford. Students and faculty across UConn engage with UConn HNS through academic courses; paid positions; professional and holistic development sessions; and research.

“UConn HNS is appreciative of the efforts of its staff to spread the word and engage current students and our alumni network in UConn Gives,” says Jennifer McGarry, UConn HNS executive director and Neag School professor.  “In the current climate where many funding sources are in jeopardy, the impact of the donations and the leaderboard challenge funds is significant in our continued ability to engage with communities across the state of Connecticut.”

The impact of the donations and the leaderboard challenge funds is significant in our continued ability to engage with communities across the state of Connecticut. &#8212 Jennifer McGarry, UConn HNS Executive Director

This year, the Dr. Sue Saunders HESA Professional Development Fund also won a $500 matching gift challenge funded by Saunders.

The fund was established to honor the commitment and dedication of Saunders, longtime director of the Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) program, and to support the development of graduate students in the program. The fund supports students who participate in professional development activities, including conferences, courses, webinars, association memberships, access to publications, research activities, and more.

“The Dr. Sue Saunders HESA Professional Development Fund is vital in supporting the learning, growth, and development of HESA master’s students,” says Adam McCready, assistant professor-in-residence in the program. “Dr. Saunders’ matching gift and the gifts from alumni and other community members ensure that HESA students can continue to have access to these transformative professional development opportunities.”

The third project, the Neag School Dean’s Fund, benefits faculty and students by advancing teaching, research, and policy development. This fund provides the dean with flexibility in supporting cutting-edge research and the School’s best and brightest students.

“As a crowdfunding campaign, UConn Gives is only as powerful as the people behind it and, as this year’s results show, we have incredibly passionate advocates behind the Neag School,” Dean Jason G. Irizarry says. “Thank you to every alum, faculty member, staff member, or friend of the School who supported us during UConn Gives. Your kind generosity directly impacts our students, faculty, and community partners.”

UConn Gives 2025 may be over, but you can still offer your support. Visit education.uconn.edu/giving-to-neag to learn more. 

UConn Gives fundraising totals are approximate and may be adjusted as gifts continue to be tallied.