We know that when we combine our passion, our networks, and our commitment to UConn, we can transform the lives of other women. We can empower students to excel in the arts, in the sciences, and in business – and inspire them to give back, too. Together, we have the power to help our university reach new heights. Join us in helping students achieve their dreams.
Women and Giving
More women than men between the ages of 25-34 have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Women are more likely to volunteer and volunteer more hours.
Women are more likely to give and give more to almost every charitable subsector.
Empowering UConn Women
Women and Philanthropy is a network of women who are passionate about women’s issues and helping the next generation of students at UConn.
See why UConn is building a stronger, vital network of women—and how you can be a part of it.
Empowering UConn Women
Women and Philanthropy is a network of women who are passionate about women’s issues and helping the next generation of students at UConn.
See why UConn is building a stronger, vital network of women—and how you can be a part of it.
Empowerment never looked so good.
Get this beautiful Alex and Ani bracelet when you become a sustaining member of UConn Women and Philanthropy. With a silvery, pewter-like finish and an oval charm emblazoned with the Women and Philanthropy logo, this signature bracelet comes boxed with an inspirational message about connecting and spreading empowerment.
Besides being on trend, this bracelet shows your commitment to come together as women to provide scholarships, mentoring, and support for female UConn students.
Empowerment never looked so good.
Get this beautiful Alex and Ani bracelet when you become a sustaining member of UConn Women and Philanthropy. With a silvery, pewter-like finish and an oval charm emblazoned with the Women and Philanthropy logo, this signature bracelet comes boxed with an inspirational message about connecting and spreading empowerment.
Besides being on trend, this bracelet shows your commitment to come together as women to provide scholarships, mentoring, and support for female UConn students.
Empowerment never looked so good.
Get this beautiful Alex and Ani bracelet when you become a sustaining member of UConn Women and Philanthropy. With a silvery, pewter-like finish and an oval charm emblazoned with the Women and Philanthropy logo, this signature bracelet comes boxed with an inspirational message about connecting and spreading empowerment.
Besides being on trend, this bracelet shows your commitment to come together as women to provide scholarships, mentoring, and support for female UConn students.
Inspiring Women
Laurie Havanec was just 27 years old when she felt a lump in her neck. It turned out to be cancer and instantly turned her world upside down.
Warm and outgoing, Lori ’84 (BUS) and Treacy ’89 (BUS) are both loyal Husky fans, active alums, and burgeoning philanthropists.
Inspired by the mission of the UConn Women and Philanthropy initiative, Michelle Dugan decided to donate $50,000 to create an endowed scholarship.
Warm and outgoing, Lori ’84 (BUS) and Treacy ’89 (BUS) are both loyal Husky fans, active alums, and burgeoning philanthropists.
Inspired by the mission of the UConn Women and Philanthropy initiative, Michelle Dugan decided to donate $50,000 to create an endowed scholarship.
One of the driving forces behind the new UConn Women and Philanthropy initiative is co-chair Melinda (Tishler) Brown ’77 (BUS), ’85 MBA.
Upcoming Events
Together, we have the power to help our University reach new heights. Join Women & Philanthropy at events throughout the year to connect with an inspiring community of UConn women.
Upcoming Events
Together, we have the power to help our University reach new heights. Join Women & Philanthropy at events throughout the year to connect with an inspiring community of UConn women.
Meet Our Scholarship Recipients
Jess Dillon
Jess Dillon '20, of Windsor, Conn., is a pre-pharmacy major and expects to graduate with a doctoral in pharmacy in 2023. Her goal is to become a community or hospital pharmacist and says she is grateful for the scholarship. “This scholarship helps make my goals more achievable because it lets me focus on my academics instead of the financial burden of college,” she said.
Meet Our Scholarship Recipients
Lily DeBlasio
Lily DeBlasio '21, of Seymour, Conn., is majoring in political science and hopes to go to law school. The first in her family to go to college, she is also a competitive swimmer and hopes to join the club team. She is thankful for the scholarship to help pay for her undergraduate education and excited about becoming part of the Women and Philanthropy network.
Meet Our Scholarship Recipients
Cyncere Preston
Cyncere Preston '21, of Hartford, Conn., is the first in her family to go to college. As the oldest sibling, she says she is trying to set an example for her two younger brothers. Cyncere, who is in the Voices of Freedom Gospel Choir and the Korean pop dance club, is majoring in behavioral psychology, pursuing a passion she has had since 8th grade, and eventually hopes to work with children and adults with behavioral issues. She was excited to hear that she would be receiving the Women Transforming Women scholarship. “I’m quite a feminist and I’m all about empowering women and sticking together.”
Meet Our Scholarship Recipients
Sana Qureshi
Sana Qureshi '21, of Stafford Springs, Conn., is a biological sciences major but is considering switching to math. The daughter of Pakistani immigrants, she lives at home and helps her widowed mother run the gas station she owns. Between participating in Muslim Student Association and Salaam, a student group that combats Islamophobia, she tutors three Hartford middle school students. She says her scholarship allowed her to come to her first choice college, UConn.
Meet Our Scholarship Recipients
Kylee Santos
Freshman Kylee Santos, of Vernon, Conn., plans to be the first in her family to graduate from college. A political science major, she plans to go to law school and specialize in family law. “I want to be able to make a difference in the lives of people going through a divorce and other family issues,” she said. A National Honor Society scholar, she is also a UConn cheerleader. She is honored to be recognized as part of the first group of Women Transforming Women scholarship winners.
Meet Our Scholarship Recipients
Nicole Truszkowski
Nicole Truszkowski '20, of Bristol, Conn., plans to go into both the teaching and medical fields, though she is not sure in what order. She became fascinated in biology when she explored higher-level science classes in anatomy and biology. “The body just fascinates me, even at the cellular level—the fact that cells inside you right now are working. It’s just amazing that you can help people whose cells aren’t working properly.” The scholarship made UConn much more affordable for her, she said.
Meet Our Scholarship Recipients
Anna Wang
Anna Wang '21, of New York, N.Y., is considering majoring in business. The first in her family to attend college, she appreciates the impact of the Women Transforming Women scholarship. “It helps my family out tremendously as they prepare to send my brother off to college next year.”
Meet Our Scholarship Recipients
Taylor Ware
Taylor Ware '21, of North Grosvenordale, Conn., is a pre-teaching major who plans to become a high school math teacher, a goal since the 6th grade. “This scholarship is important to me because it will allow me to continue to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher and to continue to get the best education possible.”
Meet Our Scholarship Recipients
Each year, Women and Philanthropy awards the Women Transforming Women Scholarship to deserving female students.
Want to Know More?
Interested in learning more about Women and Philanthropy? Contact us for more information.
Want to Know More?
Interested in learning more about Women and Philanthropy? Contact us for more information.
Giving
Heather McDonald
hmcdonald@foundation.uconn.edu
Events
Mo Cotton Kelly
mcottonkelly@foundation.uconn.edu
Learn More
Lily DeBlasio ’21, of Seymour, Conn., is majoring in political science and hopes to go to law school. The first in her family to go to college, she is also a competitive swimmer and hopes to join the club team. She is thankful for the scholarship to help pay for her undergraduate education and excited about becoming part of the Women and Philanthropy network.Jess Dillon
Sophomore Jess Dillon, of Windsor, Conn., is a pre-pharmacy major and expects to graduate with a doctoral in pharmacy in 2023. Her goal is to become a community or hospital pharmacist and says she is grateful for the scholarship. “This scholarship helps make my goals more achievable because it lets me focus on my academics instead of the financial burden of college,” she said.
Connie Liu
Connie Liu ’21, of West Hartford, Conn., is a biological sciences major and is interested in eventually getting into the public health field. Her father, Peng Liu, is a bone researcher at Jackson Lab in Farmington while her mother, Qingfen Yang, is a researcher at the UConn Health. Liu, a member of UConn’s Honors program, speaks Mandarin fluently, plays the flute, and enjoys being outdoors. “I feel really honored to be one of the first to receive this scholarship and that it’s about empowering women. I look forward to getting to know everyone.”
Cyncere Preston
Cyncere Preston ’21, of Hartford, Conn., is the first in her family to go to college. As the oldest sibling, she says she is trying to set an example for her two younger brothers. Cyncere, who is in the Voices of Freedom Gospel Choir and the Korean pop dance club, is majoring in behavioral psychology, pursuing a passion she has had since 8th grade, and eventually hopes to work with children and adults with behavioral issues. She was excited to hear that she would be receiving the Women Transforming Women scholarship. “I’m quite a feminist and I’m all about empowering women and sticking together.”
Sana Qureshi
Sana Qureshi ’21, of Stafford Springs, Conn., is a biological sciences major but is considering switching to math. The daughter of Pakistani immigrants, she lives at home and helps her widowed mother run the gas station she owns. Between participating in Muslim Student Association and Salaam, a student group that combats Islamophobia, she tutors three Hartford middle school students. She says her scholarship allowed her to come to her first choice college, UConn.
Kylee Santos
Kylee Santos ’21, of Vernon, Conn., plans to be the first in her family to graduate from college. A political science major, she plans to go to law school and specialize in family law. “I want to be able to make a difference in the lives of people going through a divorce and other family issues,” she said. A National Honor Society scholar, she is also a UConn cheerleader. She is honored to be recognized as part of the first group of Women Transforming Women scholarship winners.
Nicole Truszkowski
Nicole Truszkowski ’20, of Bristol, Conn., plans to go into both the teaching and medical fields, though she is not sure in what order. She became fascinated in biology when she explored higher-level science classes in anatomy and biology. “The body just fascinates me, even at the cellular level-the fact that cells inside you right now are working. It’s just amazing that you can help people whose cells aren’t working properly.” The scholarship made UConn much more affordable for her, she said.
Anna Wang
Anna Wang ’21, of New York, N.Y., is considering majoring in business. The first in her family to attend college, she appreciates the impact of the Women Transforming Women scholarship. “It helps my family out tremendously as they prepare to send my brother off to college next year.”
Taylor Ware
Taylor Ware ’21, of North Grosvenordale, Conn., is a pre-teaching major who plans to become a high school math teacher, a goal since the 6th grade. “This scholarship is important to me because it will allow me to continue to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher and to continue to get the best education possible.”
Jess Dillon
Jess Dillon ’20, of Windsor, Conn., is a pre-pharmacy major and expects to graduate with a doctoral in pharmacy in 2023. Her goal is to become a community or hospital pharmacist and says she is grateful for the scholarship. “This scholarship helps make my goals more achievable because it lets me focus on my academics instead of the financial burden of college,” she said.