25 Years as Neag: Improving Access to Education Through Scholarships

Editor’s note: This year, the Neag School of Education is celebrating 25 years as the Neag School and publishing a series of articles chronicling Ray and Carole Neag’s impact on the School. This article is the fourth in the series.

The late Ray Neag  ’56 (CLAS), ’01 (HON) believed that education is society’s “great equalizer.” A product of public education, Ray made a strategic investment in UConn’s School of Education 25 years ago, with the hope of repaying what his teachers and schools did for him and of building a brighter future for children.

“The most life-changing aspect of Ray and Carole’s gift – in my opinion – is the scholarship funds they established themselves through the endowment or inspired others to create,” Dean Jason G. Irizarry says. “The Ray Neag Endowment Fund and the Neag Foundation Scholarship for the Neag School IB/M Program support dozens of students each year, ensuring higher education is accessible to them.”

In general, the Neag School continues to increase the scholarship dollars it gives to students each year. Since 2020 alone, it has more than doubled the amount of scholarship funding awarded to students from all scholarship funds – from about $267,000 to over $536,000. Megan Lester ’23 (ED), ’24 MA; RayQuiner Hills ’18 (CLAS), ’22 MA; and Mhret Wondmagegne ’23 (ED), ’24 MA are three such students, now alumni, who have benefited from the generosity of benefactors such as the Neags.

Lester, who recently finished her master’s year of the Neag School’s Integrated Bachelor’s/Master’s teacher preparation program, is excited about her upcoming transition from intern at Windsor High School in Connecticut to teacher at  Voorhees High School in New Jersey. Her path to teaching was not merely a career choice but a heartfelt commitment inspired by her cousin, who has Down syndrome.

Growing up in Dunellen, New Jersey, Lester says her cousin’s journey through special education programs and involvement in the Special Olympics profoundly influenced her decision to pursue teaching.

“I wanted to give back to that community,” says Lester, who coached cheerleading for disabled children during her senior year of high school.  “I knew that if I was going to be a teacher, I wanted to do special education.”

The Neag School scholarships Lester received played a crucial role in her academic journey, providing financial relief and enabling her to focus on her studies without the burden of excessive student loans. Lester expressed deep gratitude for the support, recalling the emotional moment she received the scholarship notification: “I was crying on the phone with my mom.”

Lester is now looking forward to her new role as a special education teacher. She attributes her readiness to the comprehensive preparation she received at the Neag School. From classroom experiences to internship placements, Lester says she feels equipped to tackle teaching challenges.

“Giving back to future educators is important,” Lester says, affirming her desire to one day support others like the Neags supported her.

Hills has always been driven by a passion for education, dating back to her undergraduate studies at UConn. There, amid the sprawling campus and diverse classrooms, Hills says she discovered her calling.

Hills says she stumbled upon a human development course as an undergraduate student pursuing an accounting major. It was a moment that altered the course of her academic journey.

“I fell in love,” she says. “I understood accounting, but teaching – it felt like home.”

This revelation prompted her to switch majors, diving headfirst into human development and later transitioning to the Neag School after finishing her bachelor’s degree. Her journey wasn’t without financial strain. With the Neag School’s Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates requiring a full-time commitment, Hills leaned heavily on student loans. The economic burden weighed heavily on her until she received a letter bearing the news that she received a scholarship from the Neag School.

“It felt like a lifeline,” Hills says. “To have that financial burden lifted, even just a bit – it made all the difference.”

Raised by her father who earned his GED while incarcerated, Hills deeply desired to make a difference in similar settings. This led to her pursuing a role as a special education teacher within the Connecticut Department of Corrections, a teaching environment with its own unique challenges and rewards.

“It’s different,” Hills says. “But it’s where I’m meant to be.”

Her classroom is not traditional; instead, it resembles a cubicle, partitioned to accommodate various educational needs. Hills employs a flexible approach, adapting lessons to meet individual student requirements while fostering a safe and conducive learning environment.

Looking ahead, Hills envisions a future where she could pay forward the support she received.

“Scholarships make dreams possible,” she says. “They’re more than financial aid; they’re investments in future educators and changemakers.”

Having recently finished the master’s program in curriculum and instruction at the Neag School of Education, Wondmagegne is passionate about teaching and appreciates the scholarships that supported her.

“I’ve always loved playing the role of a teacher,” Wondmagegne says. “Ever since I was a kid, I would teach my younger sister what I learned in school.”

This early passion was nurtured through high school, where she worked at daycare centers. Despite pursuing journalism in college initially, Wondmagegne found herself drawn back to teaching.

“I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else but teaching, especially after my junior year, getting my first experience in the classroom,” she says.

Her journey wasn’t without its challenges. Moving to the United States from Ethiopia at age 9, Wondmagegne faced the daunting task of learning English.

“I didn’t know much English when I first came,” she says. “It was a big challenge, but the amazing teachers I had in Ledyard, Connecticut, made all the difference. They cared about me, both as a student and a new learner.”

These experiences fueled her desire to become a teacher who can similarly impact her students: “Seeing how a child can achieve great things when they have someone who believes in them and supports them motivates me.”

Now Wondmagegne is preparing for her first teaching position, as a second-grade teacher at Columbia Elementary in Annandale, Virginia.

“It’s a relief to know what I’m going to do post-graduation,” she says. “I’m excited to be close to family, just 20 minutes away.”

It’s all possible thanks to the scholarship support Wondmagegne received from the Neags’ funds.

“I wish Ray and Carole Neag could see their impact,” she says. “Their generosity has inspired me to be generous, whether with finances, time, or resources. Investing in people through giving supports society later on. It’s an act of kindness that can significantly impact students’ lives.”

To learn more about the UConn Neag School of Education, visit education.uconn.edu and follow the Neag School on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.