Everybody just showed leadership in this project. We were all devoted to it and determined to succeed and make it happen. 
Everybody just showed leadership in this project. We were all devoted to it and determined to succeed and make it happen.
The Center for 21st Century Skills @ EDUCATION CONNECTION
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Dan Cogan-Drew, Director of Programs In addition to management and administrative responsibilities across the Digital Arts and Sciences Academy curriculum, Dan co-develops and leads the programs in IT Research & Development and E-Commerce Entrepreneurship. He is an alumnus of Teach For America (Georgia '95) and has taught in public and private school settings, including in the Broadened Opportunities for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST) program in the US Navy. Dan was the founding director of the Curriculum Resource Center in the Department of Education at Tufts University. He holds an MA in Educational Studies from Tufts, an MA in English Literature from Brown University, and a BA in English and Spanish from Wesleyan University. He believes in the value of offering cognitive apprenticeships that facilitate students learning to think like the experts in that discipline and is particularly persuaded by the thinking of the Coalition of Essential Schools and Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound..(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 203-535-3172 |
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Jane Donn, Senior Program Manager Jane joined EDUCATION CONNECTION ten years ago and collaborated with Michael Mino to create The Center for 21st Century Skills. She manages all programs and courses, including Foundations of Health Science and Technology and the CT Academy for Science and Research. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 860-567-0863, ext. 138. |
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Carolyn Kelley, STEM Curriculum Specialist Carolyn Kelley leads the science initiatives of the Center including the E3, Bio21 and Chem21 courses as well as develops novel STEM curricula for middle and high school students. For over 12 years, she has developed, taught, and consulted on high school biotechnology programs, and specializes in training teachers to infuse biotech into their curricula. Her programs have been recognized both at the state and national levels; she was the 2007 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year and a national finalist for the “My Favorite Teacher Award.” Carolyn holds a B.S. in Microbiology, an M.S. in Biotechnology, and has extensive experience in the areas of research, program development, administration, and grant writing, enabling her to cultivate and motivate strong scientific skills in the future scientists of our country. Additionally, she is certified to teach secondary biology and biotechnology. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 860-371-7723 |
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Michael Mino, Founder and Director of Innovation As Director of Innovation for The Center for 21st Century Skills, Michael acts as the Principal Investigator for the Connecticut Pathways to Innovation National Science Foundation Advanced Technology Education Project, and coordinates the Connecticut Career Choices program, an initiative of the Connecticut Office for Workforce Competitiveness. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 860-567-0863, ext. 155 |
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Karen Moore, Program Coordinator Karen Moore is the Program Manager for the Regional Internship program. With over 10 years of experience, she has built strong partnerships with the area healthcare centers as well with the participating educational institutions. For the past 5 years, Karen has also been the Program Coordinator for the Career Options in STEM program, aimed making middle school girls aware of the many career options they’ll have if they continue to do well in math and science and the Creating Career Pathways program, making high school students aware of career pathways through speakers and field trips. Karen has served as Chairman of the Board for the Northwestern Area Health Education Center as well as serving as a board member. Karen has also been a past award winner of Education Connection’s Level 5 Distinction Award. Before coming to Education Connection, Karen worked for many years in the manufacturing industry in accounting and marketing. A graduate of Fairfield University, she is married with 4 children, 3 dogs and a cat. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 860-567-0863 x160 |
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Emily Neumann, Assistant Program Manager Emily has a B.A. in English and Journalism. As a high school student, she participated in the Information Technology Research and Development (ITRD) program [formerly ITLA— the Information Technology Leadership Academy]. Emily was honored as a finalist in the 2009 Women of Innovation competition; she was among 52 women recognized for their roles in Connecticut’s workforce in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields. Emily writes content in blended learning curricula and helps with the editing process. She also assists with a variety of C21 programs, specifically ITRD and Foundations of Health Science and Technology. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 860-567-0863, ext. 214 |
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Janis Savenella, Assistant Fiscal Manager Janis helps to manage the bookkeeping and track the funds associated with the various C21 programs. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut with a major in Political Science. Previously, she worked as a paraprofessional for the Suffield school system. Janis also has extensive experience in the financial sector as a senior pre-sales internal wholesaler, 401K commission specialist, commercial loan and trust specialist, management information systems consultant, and health insurance benefit account liaison. In addition, Janis is bilingual with Spanish as her second language. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 860-567-0863, ext. 192 |
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Sarah Schauss, Intern Sarah is a senior at Eastern Connecticut State University, majoring in Mathematical Economics with a minor in both Mathematics and Sustainable Energy Studies. She has been a part of the Center since 2004 when she was a student in the Information Technology Research and Development (ITRD) course. She held her first internship the summer of 2005, returned the summer of 2007, and has been an active team member since then. One of her responsibilities is maintaining the databases of participating students and schools. Sarah looks forward to continuing her work at a place of such tremendous growth and opportunity. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) |
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Alex Tregaskis, Technical Associate Alex is the youngest and newest member of the team. He’s an alumnus from the Connecticut Innovation Academy, and began working for the Center straight out of school. He designs and crafts visual representations of the various programs. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 860-567-0863, ext. 176 |
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Matthew Worwood, Digital Media Specialist Matthew received a BA with honors in Drama after intense study in drama, voice, and communication. He then trained as a teacher in London, received his PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education), specializing in Early Years Education, and taught grade one. In 2007 he established the educational production company Montagna Productions, and produced a number of successful educational and non-educational projects related to digital media, film, and theatre. Matthew develops and manages digital media curricula for the Digital Arts and Sciences Academy and is currently planning the May 2010 Connecticut Student Film Festival. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 860-567-0863, ext. 214 |
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Stephen Andrade, Program Manager Steve develops industry outreach and engagement efforts as part of the Battelle support team for CCC. In particular, he is involved in broadening the engagement of business and higher-education organizations that share an interest in Connecticut’s technology talent pipeline through CCC programs and the annual CT Student Innovation Expo. Steve was a founding member of the management team of the Ben Franklin Technology Center of Southeastern Pennsylvania, where he led initial efforts in entrepreneurial development and investments in small technology-based firms. He was also a founder and director of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership in Massachusetts. He is active in the field of economic development, recently completing a six-year term on the Board of the Northeastern Economic Developers Association. He is a past President of the Massachusetts Economic Development Council and 2005 MEDC Member of the Year. Steve holds a Bachelor of Architecture with a certificate in Gerontology and a Masters in City and Regional Planning. Additionally, he has served as a FastTrac business planning instructor. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 508-669-5560 |
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Debra Hinck, Program Manager Debra has a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Cornell and an MBA from UConn. Deb is responsible for management of the CCC initiative as directed by the CT Governor's Office for Workforce Competitiveness. She works closely with the staff of The Center for 21st Century Skills in implementing all aspects of the CCC program. Previously she worked for the CT Dept. of Labor and the CT Business and Industry Association in education and workforce development. She has over ten years of hands-on experience in workforce development with expertise in the areas of strategic planning and public policy analysis, and has been instrumental in the establishment of numerous cooperative working relationships between the public and private sectors, including business, education, and governmental agencies. She is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma National Business Honor Society and contributed to the publication of the report, “New England’s Workforce Challenge: Strengthening the Region’s Economic Competitiveness.” .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 203-982-7967 |
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Mitch Horowitz Mitch Horowitz is Vice President and Managing Director in Battelle’s Technology Partnership Practice. Mitch brings over twenty years of experience in state and local economic development, both as a consultant and government official. Mitch has strong expertise in the areas of life science, information technology workforce development, and venture development. Mitch leads Battelle Public Technology Practice efforts in assessing core competencies and integrating into overall strategy development. As a consultant, Mitch had the unique experience of conceiving Maryland’s widely acclaimed biotechnology strategy, and then the responsibility for implementing that strategy as Technology Advisor to the Secretary of Economic and Employment Development. Mitch has also worked in private industry, serving as chief operating officer for a venture financing company and executive vice president for a health informatics company. B.S., Cornell University M.P.P., John. F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University..(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 240-462-5456 |
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Cynthia Kearney, Outreach Facilitator Cynthia is responsible for facilitating the experiential learning component of CCC and related industry outreach activities in STEM education through collaborative partnerships between educational institutions and businesses. She has over twenty years’ experience in education, counseling, and workforce development that includes acting as the worksite supervisor for EDUCATION CONNECTION’s Regional Medical and Business Internship program and School to Career Coordinator/Vocational Trainer for Bethel Public Schools. Her 15+ years of teaching experience provide the foundation to align academic curriculum with business career preparedness. Cynthia received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola University of Los Angeles and has completed graduate studies at the University of California, Riverside, and Loyola. She was a Teacher of the Year finalist for the Diocese of San Bernardino, CA, a national recipient of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, and a recipient of EDUCATION CONNECTION’s Level III Distinction Award. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) |
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