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Parent Network

Parent Network Council (PNC)

The UHart Parent Network Council (PNC) includes our most engaged parents who are committed to sharing their time and expertise with UHart. Our members believe in the power every individual has in making an impact in not only their students’ experience, but for their peers and the overall community.

Members of the PNC provide annual philanthropic support to help further the mission and values of the University and gather twice per academic year to meet with campus partners, engage in thoughtful discussion, and connect with fellow parents. Launched in 2019, the University is thankful for such an important partnership and is grateful for the valuable role parents play in enhancing student success.

Join us! If you are interested in learning more and would like to join UHart’s Parent Network Council, please contact Sean Meehan at parents@hartford.edu.

About the Council

The mission of the council is to support the advancement of UHart through philanthropy and active volunteer engagement, with the shared interest of strengthening our community and furthering the mission and values of the University, all in pursuit of providing our students with the most empowering experience academically, professionally, and socially.

Members of the Parent Network Council commit to making UHart one of their top philanthropic priorities during their time of service. Most families provide unrestricted support through the UHart Impact Fund, however, may designate their gift to any area of the University.

This past academic year, our PNC members volunteered in the following ways:

  • Day of Giving Ambassadors
  • fundraising campaign signatories
  • Admission event panelists
  • hosts for parent social hours
  • sharing their UHart story in parent-to-parent communications to prospective families
  • sharing internship opportunities with the Office of Career and Professional Development
  • guest speakers for specific classes and mentoring sessions

The PNC gathers twice per academic year, once during Hawktober weekend and again during the spring semester, to meet with campus partners, engage in thoughtful discussion, share feedback, and connect with fellow parents.

Previous guest speakers have included:
  • President Greg Woodward
  • Jess Nicklin, Vice President of Student Success and Covid-19 Coordinator
  • Aaron Isaacs, Dean of Students
  • Erin Pollard, Director of Annual Giving
  • Brooke Penders, Executive Director for the Office of Career and Professional Development
  • Kylee Heyerdahl, Senior Director of Recruitment Marketing
  • RJ McGivney, Associate Vice President for Graduate and Professional Studies
  • Jim Shattuck, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies

Members

Parent Network Council

Jane Robinson ’89, P’22, Connecticut
College of Arts & Sciences

Danielle and Ron D’Amato P’21, ’23, Massachusetts
Barney School of Business, College of Education, Nursing, and Health Professions, Red Cap, Red Key, SGA

Monica Oake P’23, New Jersey
College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture

Celeste Evans P’24, New Jersey
College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture

Brian Kruse P’24, Massachusetts
Hartford Art School

David Kelly P’25, Massachusetts
Hillyer College

Ann Bulkley P’25, Massachusetts
The Hartt School

Melissa Vetro P’25, Connecticut
College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture

Staci Gerace P’25, Connecticut
College of Education, Nursing, and Health Professions

Joan Wilson P’23, ’25, Connecticut
College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture, College of Arts & Sciences

Matt Lothamer and Anne McLaughlin P’25, Indiana
College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions