Page 27 - The BellTower - Spring 2016

Nicole Nowakowski received the Outstanding Young Alumna award based upon her contributions to UMFK as a student and an athlete. The association acknowledged Nicole’s contributions after graduation as an educator, coach, and advocate within her community.
In June, Nicole accepted a new teach- ing job as a fourth grade school teacher in Meriden, Connecticut. She attended UMFK from 2006 to 2010, where she earned a bachelor of science in elemen- tary education. She was a Bengal athlete on the women’s soccer team for four seasons.
Nicole began her career as a first grade teacher at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in 2011. In her first four years as an educator, Nicole traveled abroad to volunteer at an orphanage, earned a master of arts in reading and language
from the University of Saint Joseph, in West Hartford, Connecticut. She presented to colleagues in her school community about using technology in
the classroom. Nicole developed the
first soccer program at OLMC School, where she coached the co-ed middle school team for three seasons in the Greater New Haven Parochial Athletic League. The members of the Connecticut Educator Computer Association (CECA) elected Nicole as president of the asso- ciation and she gave a presentation at the CECA’s annual conference in October 2015. In addition, she has presented twice at the annual UCONN Conference, Teaching and Learning with iPads.
She enjoys her weekly indoor soccer games at CFC Arena, her favorite pas- time. Nicole resides in her hometown of Meriden.
Nicole Nowakowski, Class of 2010
Vessa Villarreal was the 2015 Outstanding Future Alumna based upon her contributions to UMFK’s campus life, her academic leadership, and her involvement on and off-campus.
Vessa is pursuing a bachelor of science in behavioral science degree and will be a candidate for graduation in May of 2016. In 2015, she earned an associate degree in university studies. While at UMFK, Vessa currently serves as Kappa Delta Phi NAS Kappa Rho chapter president; UMFK Student Senate president; Behavioral and Social Science Club vice president; and head resident in Crocker Hall.
Vessa served as First Year Experience leader, where she worked with freshmen entering their first year of college and was responsible for working alongside the professor to collaborate on lesson plans and attending events to involve the students. She had the opportunity to be a Summer Bridge leader for the TRIO program for two summers. Vessa has successfully trained and certified as American Red Cross Adult CPR and First Aid; suicide prevention; sexual assault; and eating disorders. Vessa continues
to be a strong voice of the students and UMFK.
Vessa Villarreal, Class of 2016
Do you know an alumni member who would be
worthy of “outstanding” recognition?
Visit us on-line to nominate someone today at:
http://umfk.edu/alumni/awards/
Past Outstanding Young Alumni Recipients
Past Outstanding Future Alumni Recipients
Melik Khoury Justin Dubois Sarah Smith
Betty Skoke Burns Todd Collins Andrew Stickings Charles Dow
Dr. Erin Soucy Raymond Phinney Kevin St. Jarre Troy Jackson
Ryan Pelletier
‘99
‘05
‘05
’01
’95
’94
’94
’95
’01
’97
’01
’99, ’01 2003
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
Aimee Danielle Holabird Sierra Daigle
Theresa Biggs Stephanie Chick Christopher Roy Heather DeCotes
John Blanchette
Heather Hartman-Smith Jason Gayne
Chad Marquis
Megan (Foreman) Barry Meranda Hafford Castonguay Karen Ouellette
Tracie (Hobbs) Boucher Raymond Phinney
‘15 2014 ‘14 2013 ‘13 2012 ‘12 2011 ’10, ’11 2010 ’09 2009 ’08 2008 ’07 2007 ’06 2006 ’06 2005 ’05 2004 ’04 2003 ’03 2002 ’02 2001 ’01 2000
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