Cecilia F. Nugent

Cecilia F. Nugent is a proud alum of the University of Connecticut's CAP (Center for Academic Programs) Student Support Services program. She credits her Counselors, Maria Martinez and Bidya Ranjeet for the academic and social support she received which helped her earn her dual degree in Political Science and Journalism. "Not only were they helpful and supportive counselors, they’ve turned out to be valued colleagues and friends in our common field of educational access," she says.

Ms. Nugent’s personal and professional interest is working with nontraditional students. For nearly 12 years she has worked with a non-profit agency that provides higher educational counseling services for adults throughout Connecticut. Moving quickly through the ranks of CONNTAC, Inc., she first served as the Assistant Director to the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) project in 1991. And then in 1994, she was appointed Director.

As Director of CONNTAC-EOC, Ms. Nugent is responsible for the management and implementation of a statewide federal education grant whose mission is to help adults enroll into a college. The services of CONNTAC-EOC project, which are offered free to the community include, group and individual financial aid counseling sessions, assistance with the admissions application fee, assessment and discussion of career goals and options. It is a partnership with the state’s 12-member community college system.

Ms. Nugent is very proud of what the project has accomplished. Ms. Nugent serves on various national, regional and state committees that are involved in promoting educational access for all students. Ms. Nugent resides in Windsor with her husband Robert and sons Julian and Nathan.