UConn Today – UConn Real Estate students took first-place in a national ‘future of housing’ competition, presenting a detailed proposal for a 42-unit residential building, with a commercial kitchen and computer center, that would allow residents to participate in workforce development and cooking and nutritional courses.
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Two Business Students Visit the Amazon, Network with Sustainability Experts, Gain New Perspectives at COP30 Summit
UConn Today – Two UConn business students who are passionate about sustainability and a healthier planet, attended the COP30 climate conference last month in Belem, Brazil, adjacent to the Amazon rainforest.
Both graduate student Caroline Keary ’25, ’26 MS and senior Aminieli Hopson ’26 said the experience was one of the best of their lives, and that what they learned will benefit their careers.
They left with a new network of like-minded climate advocates and an appreciation for both the enormous challenges of climate preservation and renewed respect for those who dedicate their lives to it.
Alumna Kenzie Blowers ’25 Works as Allocation Expert at HomeGoods Headquarters
UConn Today – Call it fate, serendipity, or just plain good luck, but alumna Mackenzie “Kenzie’’ Blowers ’25 had a stroke of career fortune during her second year as a UConn student.
Blowers was assigned to the second floor of Belden Hall and her RA was Danielle Harrington ‘24. Harrington had created a poster for students to get to know a bit about her, and she included her experience as an intern at The TJX Companies.
UConn MBA Helps Fuel Alumna Marilena Mademtzi ’25 As She Advocates for Struggling Children
UConn Today – Marilena Mademtzi ’25 MBA had already earned two advanced degrees, including a Ph.D., when she enrolled in the UConn MBA program.
A career-long advocate for students with autism and mental health struggles, Mademtzi ultimately hopes to drive innovation in pediatric behavioral healthcare throughout Connecticut.
School of Business Announces New One-Year MBA Program, Cutting the Time to Completion in Half
UConn Today – The School of Business is launching a new One-Year MBA program, a fast-track alternative that offers the same rigor, coursework, and faculty instruction as the two existing MBA paths, but can be completed in about half the time.
The 42-credit One-Year MBA program will begin this summer. The School currently serves 750 MBA students, enrolled in either a completely online MBA program or a flexible, hybrid alternative.
Funding, International Trade, Artificial Intelligence Top Priorities for New Small-Business Champion
UConn Today – Dorian Zwierewicz, a Connecticut native with more than a decade of award-winning experience assisting small businesses, is the new state director of the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC).
He most recently served as the regional director of the Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida. That organization received two awards of excellence last year.
UConn’s Entrepreneurship Ranking Climbs in 2026 Princeton Review Findings
UConn Today – UConn’s reputation as an entrepreneurship academic powerhouse climbed significantly in the 2026 rankings released Nov. 12 by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur.
The results were based on 40 data points including academic offerings, faculty credentials, experiential learning, mentorship, and more.
Risk Management Experts Highlight the Need for Young Talent During Two-Day Business Event
UConn Today – The School of Business hosted its first ‘Risk Manager on Campus Event,’ a two-day program to encourage students to consider careers in the growing fields of risk management and insurance.
The event included panel discussions, classroom visits, and an opportunity for students to network with some top leadership in the field. Many of the speakers highlighted the risk industry’s need for young talent.
Michelle Cote Named Interim Director of UConn’s Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
UConn Today – As UConn continues to expand opportunities for students to explore innovation and entrepreneurship, Michelle Cote has been named interim director of the Peter J. Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Wolff Competition Awards Grand Prize to Company Using Seaweed to Replace Plastic
UConn Today – SeaSol Technologies, a startup that is converting seaweed into compostable food packaging to replace plastic, was the grand prize winner at the Wolff New Venture Competition last week.
CEO Yidan Zhang, a UConn Ph.D. candidate, was exuberant at receiving the top award, which includes $30,000 prize and $5,000 in pro-bono services from Wolff Financial Group.