News

IMRP Sponsors Pete Buttigieg Democracy Discussion

January 28, 2026

On Saturday, January 24th, a select group of UConn School of Public Policy students, faculty, staff and alumni joined IMRP staff, partners, and invited community members for a simulcast screening of The Connecticut Forum event: On Democracy and the Future of the Parties: Pete Buttigieg in Conversation with Jonah Goldberg.

The live program, hosted in the main Mortensen Hall theater, had been sold out for months to Connecticut Forum season subscribers. By sponsoring the simulcast, SPP and IMRP were able to create an intimate gathering where interested individuals could access the program and watch it together.

IMRP Director Andrew Clark and School of Public Policy Director Dr. Angie Eikenberry provided welcome remarks and gave thanks to The Connecticut Forum staff and others who made the event possible.

“We’re very grateful to help sponsor tonight.” said Clark. “The Institute works in public policy with state and local elected officials and leaders. Much of what we do is focused on the theme of tonight – getting people together and having difficult conversations.”

The simulcast audience was thrilled as former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg unexpectedly took the stage in the Belding Theater to personally welcome the simulcast audience who would otherwise be watching him on screen.

He thanked the audience for braving the frigid temperatures to be there in person.

“It’s so important to come together in 3D, in real life,” he said. “This is one of those seasons that calls for us to do that.” He then raced to the theater next door to start the live program, calling out, “Get to know your neighbors!”

Read more about the content and discussion of “On Democracy and the Future of the Parties” in this UConn Today article.

A special Connecticut Forum and School of Public Policy / IMRP Forum Encore! event is being held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3rd, at the Hartford Public Library’s main branch across from the UConn Hartford campus.  “From Campus to Capitol: The Future of Civic Engagement in CT”  is an open-to-the-public community discussion featuring Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, UConn student leader (and IMRP intern) Ryan Engels, and additional speakers to be announced. Frankie Graziano, host of The Wheelhouse on Connecticut Public Radio, will moderate the discussion.

There is no cost to attend this event. Those interested or with questions can email IMRP@uconn.edu or info@ctforum.org for more information.

 

CTRP3 to Host First Community Forum of 2026

January 15, 2026

 

The Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project (CTRP3) will host its first community forum of the year on Wednesday, January 28th at 6:30 pm at the Trumbull Public Library. 

Public forums are held four times a year in cities and towns across the state.

“These forums are an opportunity to bring together local law enforcement, community leaders, and the public for an open, honest, and transparent discussion about policing and traffic enforcement in their neighborhood,” said Ken Barone, CTRP3 project manager and Associate Director of the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy.

The sessions encourage community members to ask questions, share experiences, and offer feedback, while law enforcement representatives explain policies and respond directly to concerns. 

Community forums have also increased public awareness of the Alvin W. Penn Act and the need to address community-identified priorities related to fairness and roadway safety. 

A dozen CTRP3 community forums have taken place since 2019 across Connecticut in cities and towns including Bridgeport, Cheshire, Danbury, Enfield, East Hartford, and Windham, among others.

RSVPs are not required for the event. Attendees are encouraged to arrive at 6:00 pm when doors open for free refreshments. The program will begin at 6:30 pm.

This event is co-sponsored by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) and the Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparity.

For additional information please visit ctrp3.org or email IMRP@uconn.edu.

CTCIP Hosts Winter Family Celebration at York Correctional Institution

January 13, 2026

Pizza from Papa John’s and cookies from Costco. 

Gifts and books for kids of all ages, from newborns to teenagers. 

An impromptu game of Duck, Duck, Goose. 

The only atypical things about Saturday’s Winter Wonderland holiday party were the January date and the venue: York Correctional Institution in Niantic, Connecticut. 

Twenty incarcerated mothers were joined by their children, caregivers, and correctional staff for the CT Children with Incarcerated Parents Initiative (CTCIP) sponsored event, the culmination of months of planning focused on family connection and child-centered engagement.  

In late September 2025, the CTCIP team at UConn’s Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP) discussed ways to acknowledge Children with Incarcerated Parents Awareness Month in October and plan for a year-end event. With limited time, the team decided to create something new. As the longest-running IMRP initiative, funded by the Connecticut General Assembly since 2008, CTCIP wanted an event that reflected its mission and could stand on its own. 

That’s when Kate Mazzotta, CTCIP Policy and Research Associate, raised a key question: “Why can’t we do it at a facility?” 

York Correctional Institution, already a partner in several IMRP initiatives including the International Justice Exchange (IJE), and home to motherhood and caregiver-focused programming, was quick to respond. 

“We pitched the idea to York as we’ve been doing great work together in family engagement. We wanted to expand and showcase the facility’s commitment to these types of programs,” explained IMRP Operations Coordinator Irvine Peck’s-Agaya, who also serves as head of the CTCIP team.  

Gift wish list items piled up at IMRP offices

Roles were quickly defined. York provided the space and the participants. IMRP funded and planned the event, including food, gifts, and activities. Elizabeth Canavan, CTCIP Educational Resource Coordinator, created an Amazon gift wish list of toys and books based on the anticipated ages of children attending. Through outreach to community partners and promotion on social media, over 200 items were purchased, nearly all on the list. Additional items were donated through the Hartford Mayor’s office and via volunteer Deb Martinez who does similar work at Cheshire correctional institution.

Mazzotta then cross-referenced the gift list with names provided by York to ensure each child received at least three presents selected specifically for them.

“The gifts were really intentional,” said Mazzotta, who admitted her office looked a bit like “Santa’s workshop” in the week leading up to the event.

“How did you know I love these things?” exclaimed one teenager as she opened her gifts. 

The four-hour celebration included arts and crafts, hula hoops and games, and photo backdrops where families could take pictures to frame and keep. Pizza, snacks, and juice were available throughout the afternoon. 

“It went so smoothly,” said Peck’s-Agaya, noting the spontaneous game of Duck, Duck Goose. “I’m really impressed with DOC’s ability to be less structured at the event and to let the moms be parents in the moment.”

Arts and activity tables were set up for children to enjoy.

“Everyone was in good spirits,” agreed Mazzotta. “The moms and the kids were so excited. It exceeded all our expectations.” She added that CTCIP is already thinking about future programming. 

“As we are expanding our organization and the scope of work we do, programming is a big part of that. Children with Incarcerated Parents are such an underserved population. For us, it’s important to give them a sense of normalcy, to bridge the gap between what’s allowed at a prison.” 

Peck’s-Agaya echoed that sentiment. “A lot of our work tends to lean toward policy,” she said. “We want more visibility with families and caregivers. This was a good way to do that. It’s the start of the year and we want to reintroduce CTCIP to the DOC and to the legislature; to say we’re here and we’re creating new possibilities.”

As CTCIP enters its next phase, the York celebration represents a renewed commitment to pairing policy leadership with meaningful, child-centered experiences.

“Can’t wait for next year!” agreed one corrections officer as the event wrapped up. 

Mazzotta, 2nd from right, and Peck’s-Agaya, far right, with the CTCIP at York CI

 

IMRP Hosts Culture Change Summit with CT DOC

December 17, 2025

Building the Next Phase of Culture Change: Highlights from the Winter 2025 CTDOC/IMRP/Amend Summit

On December 16, 2025, more than 40 leaders and staff from across the Connecticut Department of Correction (CTDOC) gathered at UConn Hartford for Day 1 of the Winter 2025 Culture Change Summit. The two-day summit, convened by the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP) in partnership with Amend at the University of San Francisco, supports Connecticut’s ongoing efforts to advance a safer, healthier, and more effective correctional culture.

Over the past year through the IMRP’s International Justice Exchange, CTDOC cohorts have traveled to Norway, the United Kingdom, Washington, Oregon, and California to learn from correctional systems leading innovative reform efforts. Those international learning experiences, combined with pilot initiatives at York and Garner Correctional Institutions, have helped establish a shared foundation for culture change grounded in staff safety, wellness, and empowerment. Core principles such as normalization, security, and progression have guided this work, with the goal of improving outcomes for both staff and incarcerated individuals.

The summit brought together CTDOC leadership, facility-based teams, training staff, and partners to align around a shared purpose, deepen collective understanding, and begin shaping actionable recommendations for 2026.

A Day of Shared Learning and Reflection

The day opened with welcoming remarks from IMRP and Amend leadership, setting expectations for collaboration and framing the summit as a bridge between learning and action.

The morning featured cohort presentations from teams representing Garner CI’s CREW, York CI’s CORE, the Maloney Training Academy and Training-for-Trainers (T4T) program, and normalization teams from both York and Garner. Each group reflected on key international learning moments, how those insights are shaping their work, progress made at the site level, and the obstacles and opportunities ahead. Together, the presentations painted a picture of meaningful momentum, alongside clear areas where continued investment and coordination will be essential.

IMRP Director Andrew Clark welcomes attendees to the Culture Change Summit

A guided discussion followed, surfacing common themes and preparing participants for the afternoon’s hands-on work.

Turning Insight into Action

After lunch and informal networking in the Hartford Times Building atrium, participants moved into Innovation Labs, rotating through two facilitated workgroups focused on translating ideas into concrete next steps. Across four topic areas, each lab developed three to five actionable recommendations, noting feasibility considerations and resource needs.

The Innovation Labs focused on:

  • Staff Training and Professional Identity, exploring how training can more fully support culture change and how trainers can serve as change agents.

  • Resource and Activity Team Expansion, identifying ways to strengthen and grow existing teams while engaging more staff in the change process.

  • Normalization and Environmental Transformation, examining practical, no-to-low-cost strategies to create more normalized environments, routines, and experiences.

  • Research and Evaluation, considering how progress should be measured and how data and storytelling can help capture and sustain positive change.

“A major challenge is measuring a program whose effect is the absence of bad things,” said Dr. Lydia Wileden, who led the research and evaluation session. “CORE & CREW’s goal is to reduce adverse events and behaviors in correctional facilities, which ultimately makes officers’ jobs safer and easier. When that work is successful, it can go unnoticed. People aren’t always aware they’re benefiting from an improved environment. The question is, can we design creative metrics that reflect the full impact of this work, including what didn’t happen because the intervention was effective?”

The day concluded with outlining of next steps and a commitment to share outcomes with all participants in January. These recommendations will inform continued collaborative culture change work launching in 2026.

“DOC officers are excited about the next phases of the program,” said Irina Ahmed, Research and Policy Associate for the IMRP, who joined the most recent immersion trip to Norway in November. “Officers who were originally uncertain about the impact the activity and resource teams could have are now the biggest – and most enthusiastic – proponents of the training.”

Day 2 of the summit, scheduled for January 2026, will culminate in final presentations to CTDOC leadership, ensuring that staff-generated insights and recommendations directly inform decision-making at the highest levels.

Work With Us! IMRP Hiring Executive Director

December 1, 2025

The IMRP is seeking an Executive Director to oversee the Connecticut Sentencing Commission (CTSC).

Search #: 499136
Work type: Full-time
Location: Hartford Campus
Categories: Academic Programs and Services

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP), this role will serve as the lead professional staff member from IMRP assigned to oversee the Connecticut Sentencing Commission. Per Commission bylaws and with Commission approval, this position will serve as the Executive Director (UConn categorization “Educational Program Manager 1”), acting at the pleasure of the Commission. The IMRP Director will work collaboratively with the Chair of the Commission to ensure that the hired candidate is successfully meeting the Commission’s annual goals and priorities. This position manages the day-to-day operations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission and supervises multiple professional and/or support staff and serves as a highly advanced resource for programmatic subject matter.

Working in close collaboration with the Commission Chair and the IMRP Director, this position is responsible for the effective day-to-day management of the Commission. Key responsibilities include coordinating research projects and working groups, managing the allocation of staff and resources, soliciting grants, and overseeing other Commission activities.

This role also provides administrative leadership, including supervision, training, evaluation, and task delegation to full-time staff, graduate assistants, and student workers. The position ensures the smooth administration of Commission programs and the coordination of research and training efforts.

The Connecticut Sentencing Commission was established under Connecticut General Statutes 54-300. The mission of the commission is to review the existing criminal sentencing structure in the state, propose changes, including revisions to existing statutes, new criminal legislation, and updates to existing and proposed sentencing policies and practices, and make recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and relevant criminal justice agencies. The 23-member Commission includes judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, agency commissioners, Judicial Branch staff, law enforcement, and other appointed officials.

Since its inception, the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP) has provided professional staffing and administrative support to the Commission. The Commission also collaborates with Connecticut’s academic institutions to ensure high-quality research and analysis.

As an independent and autonomous body, the Commission retains full authority over its priorities, agenda, and strategic direction. The IMRP provides administrative and fiduciary oversight to support the Commission’s work. This position requires a strong partnership with both the Commission Chair and the IMRP Director to ensure that the Commission fulfills its annual priorities and goals.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Plans, directs, and administers the Connecticut Sentencing Commission, assuring compliance with enabling laws, and developing the Commission’s budgets and meeting agendas.
  • Plans and directs the research, evaluation, and monitoring activities of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission consistent with the Commission’s mission, statutory charge, and updates the Commission on research and policy developments related to sentencing practices on a nationwide basis.
  • Directs the day-to-day operation and administration of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission in accordance with the Commission’s goals and objectives. Oversees coordination for the Commission’s activities and logistics and prepares necessary reports.
  • Ensures all work activities are completed in accordance with the Commission’s goals and objectives.
  • Oversees the writing and editing of Commission documents, including legislative drafting.
  • Drafts and prepares reports of the Commission for submission to internal and external entities.
  • Leads the planning, development, design, and evaluation of the Commission’s activities. Collects and analyzes Commission data and participates in evaluating the Commission’s effectiveness.
  • Represents the Commission to the General Assembly, Executive and Judicial branches, municipalities, practitioners, academics, and sentencing commissions in other states, etc.
  • Works with the Commission Chair and UConn leadership to develop legislative budget requests and formulate an annual budget based on available resources. Manages the approved program budget. Identifies and solicits external funding opportunities, including local, state, and federal grants, to provide sufficient funding for Commission staff and/or assist the Commission in furthering its mission and statutory charge.
  • Manages the Commission budget and operational needs to achieve its goals and priorities effectively.
  • Manages professional and non-professional staff, as well as business and administrative operations of the Commission.
  • Develops and oversees all Memoranda of Understanding with Partnering entities, including but not limited to other universities and colleges and state agencies.
  • Works to ensure that all Institute and other university policies and procedures are followed in accordance with university rules and regulations.
  • Provides accurate and timely information as requested or directed by the Commission.
  • Trains, supervises, evaluates, and coordinates the activities of Commission staff. Determines work schedules and assignments to meet the Commission’s needs most effectively.
  • Engages in public relations and promotional activities for the Commission. Implements recruiting and promotional strategies in the area of responsibility.
  • Updates the Commission’s website and ensures compliance of all Commission activities with the Connecticut Freedom of Information laws as applicable.
  • Contributes to planning outreach programs, conferences, meetings, and seminars.
  • Performs related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, Law, criminology, sociology, economics, political science, or a related field, and six to seven years of relevant experience in research, policy development, legislative affairs, or program administration. At least two years of professional experience serving in a senior, supervisory, or project lead capacity, including responsibility for managing staff, overseeing complex initiatives, or directing collaborations.
  • Demonstrated experience in criminal justice policy and sentencing practices, including familiarity with state and federal sentencing laws, research methodologies, and national trends in sentencing reform.
  • Organizational and administrative skills, including budget development and oversight, grant writing and management, and coordination of multi-agency or institutional partnerships.
  • Interpersonal and communication skills, with experience acting as a liaison to government agencies, legislators, academic partners, and community stakeholders, and a demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, Law, criminology, sociology, economics, political science, or a related field, and six years of relevant experience in research, policy development, legislative affairs, or program administration.
  • Ph.D. or Juris Doctor (J.D.) in Criminal Justice, Public Policy, Law, or a related field, with a strong record of academic research or policy work in sentencing, criminal justice reform, or legal studies.
  • Six or more years of experience working directly with sentencing commissions, legislative bodies, or criminal justice agencies, particularly in a policy advisory or leadership capacity.
  • Demonstrated experience writing and editing high-quality reports, policy documents, and legislative language, with strong attention to detail and experience communicating complex legal or policy issues clearly to a variety of audiences.
  • Demonstrated success in securing and managing external funding, including grants from state, federal, or private sources to support public policy or criminal justice initiatives.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #499136 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on January 16, 2026.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at https://portal.ct.gov/Ethics/Statutes-and-Regulations.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.

Advertised: Nov 24 2025 Eastern Standard Time

A Year of Transition: 10 Questions with Assistant Research Professor Lydia Wileden

November 30, 2025

 

A Year of Transition:  10 Questions with Assistant Research Professor Lydia Wileden 

 

1. Hi Lydia – it’s been a little more than a year since you moved from the Midwest to Connecticut. What drew you to the School of Public Policy and the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy? 

Even while I was getting my PhD, I was never sure becoming a professor was my end goal. I have a background in local and federal government and assumed my post-PhD life would be in applied policy research, likely at a think tank or within government itself. At the same time, I had become fairly immersed in the academic research world, which is a hard world to quit. When I saw this opportunity with the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy, it felt like a perfect place to bridge the applied and academic worlds. IMRP cares deeply about producing research on policy programs that are digestible, timely, and rigorous. My colleagues like to push the boundaries of traditional policy prescriptions, question why things are the way they are, and dream up alternatives and how system change can come about. And we do that all with the support of a world-class university. In short, this position with IMRP means I lucked out by finding the best of all worlds. 

2. What have been some of the highlights of the first year? 

What a whirlwind year! When I talk to people about the last 365 days, I’ve been describing it in three phases: 1. Getting here; 2. Being here; and 3. Figuring out what’s next. Each phase has some major highlights.  

a group of conference attendees by a sign
With CT Sentencing Commission members at NASC in Madison, WI

In the first phase (Sept – Dec of 2024), I was commuting an hour each way to work, while also looking for a house, learning UConn and IMRP’s systems, experiencing Connecticut, and getting ready to have a baby. The highlights of that phase included being greeted kindly by my new colleagues, finding a landing place for my family, taking on my first IMRP projects, and staying mostly sane. 

In the second phase (Jan – May 2025), I taught for the first time in the School of Public Policy’s Survey Research Certificate Program, wrapped up some lingering projects from my postdoc, took ownership of several IMRP research requests, and enjoyed the sweet newborn phase with my son. Obviously, the newborn snuggles were a highlight! I was also really proud of the survey methods course I revamped and I made exciting progress on data access for a project on Domestic Violence I’m leading for the Sentencing Commission.

NASC with baby Mo in tow (at 8 months old, this was already Baby Mo’s 2nd academic conference!)

This past summer and fall, phase three, I felt like I started to get my legs back under me. I’ve dug deeper on policing and sentencing research reports, I’ve applied for grant funds to launch new projects on juvenile justice, and I’ve experienced first-hand what correctional facilities in CT are like through conversations with inmates and correctional officers,. At the same time, I’ve also finalized a book chapter and published an academic article on neighborhood mapping, and I am constantly working to develop ideas for new research projects. 

3. You’ve had some interesting assignments in your career thus far. What does public service mean to you? Why do you feel called to serve? 

I believe strongly in the power and potential of people. Especially in these fractious times, too many policy conversations seem to me to be about how do we exclude others, write off communities, distinguish between what is ours and what is theirs. To me, that’s not only misguided but a poor use of fiscal, emotional, and human capital. From informal settlements outside Cape Town, South Africa to tony summer getaways in the Adirondacks, from fancy conference rooms in Washington D.C. to program rooms in Cheshire Correctional Institution, the people that I have met in my career – even those I disagree with – are trying to chart a path to live happy, meaningful lives. My calling to public service centers on trying to figure out how to help them succeed, amplifying our collective potential, and removing or overcoming the barriers circumstance sometimes puts in the way. 

4. You have a particular interest in urban policy and neighborhood change. What opportunities do you see here in Hartford? 

I am fascinated by Hartford. Growing up in Western MA, Hartford was my hometown airport, so I felt like I knew the city even though I’d spent no time here. Since coming to UConn, I’ve made Hartford my home and I’ve stumbled upon some really lovely, dynamic parts of the city while also feeling the frustration of living in a town impacted by long-term disinvestment and financial flight. Connecticut is often characterized by its 169 towns, but my sense is a lot of Capitol Region and Connecticut residents take for granted the importance of Hartford as a political and economic hub. The city makes a lot of life in the state possible and really deserves more support than it receives. Coming from Detroit, I know what large scale blight, vacancy, and revitalization looks like. As I settle in here, I am trying to draw on that experience while also putting Hartford’s small scale into perspective to imagine the city’s future. 

5. On that note, tell us about the work you do with NRZs and the development of Neighborhood Revitalization Zones. 

Connecticut’s Neighborhood Revitalization Zones were a new-to-me policy. Because IMRP is named in state statute as a member of the NRZ Advisory Board, learning about NRZs and their potential impact was a natural space for me to step into when I arrived. Since last September, I’ve been actively participating in the Advisory Board, including doing a site visit to Bridgeport to see the amazing efforts of the East End NRZ, sitting on the Resources Workgroup to shape how NRZ processes are explained to interested communities, and hosting an event to mark the 30th anniversary of the NRZ legislation. I also took my summer research intern on a field trip to the legislative library to read all the testimony about the NRZ program when it was established back in 1995. I’m hoping to get elected to a spot on my local NRZ’s leadership team this winter. 

Lydia (3rd from L) serving as moderator for CT Policy Talks

6. The NRZs were among the topics of CT Policy Talks, a series co-sponsored by the School of Public Policy. What were your takeaways as a moderator of some of these conversations? 

The CT Policy Talks series showed me that Connecticut is full of engaged thinkers. Our NRZ event was standing room only, we had nearly 60 attendees turn out for our conversation on transportation insecurity, and we similarly filled WORK_SPACE in downtown Manchester for our event on Third Places. The events also suggested to me a need for these types of conversations that take an overarching, rather than piecemeal, view of a system. All three conversations highlighted the amazing work by individual NRZs, transportation districts, and local entrepreneurs while also making real the need for more opportunity for peer-to-peer learning so that best practices from one could more easily be implemented in another. NRZs could pool information about how to apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds or best practices to provide food at their meetings to enable more residents to attend. Transit districts could exchange innovations on mobile payment systems and route timetables. And communities can share strategies to remove red tape around turning public space – sidewalks, parks, parking lots – into more dynamic social spaces, like Hartford’s Salsa Socials on Pratt Street.

International Justice Exchange meeting with partners from Amend at UCSF

7. What are you currently working on or looking forward to that is exciting or interesting to you? 

So many things! One of the great privileges of this position is that I am getting introduced to so many new-to-me topics in the realm of criminal justice at the same time as I build upon my expertise on neighborhood identity and extend that work to Connecticut. In terms of criminal justice work, I have three new projects I am trying to develop, including a longitudinal analysis of police pursuits, a study of geographic disparities in juvenile arrests and detentions across Connecticut, and an examination of correctional officer well-being that builds on the work of IMRP’s International Justice Exchange and our partnership with Amend. In terms of my neighborhoods work, I’ve started talking to both the Connecticut Main Street Center and some local CDCs about how to measure resident attachment, community vitality, and neighborhood identity in Connecticut. I’m excited to see where these projects go! 

8. We are excited to announce the class you’ll be offering at the School for the Spring 2026 semester. PP 5350 – Urban & Regional Policy. Tell us about the class and how it came about. 

I’m taking this class over from my esteemed colleague, Dr. Robert Wilson, and trying to put my spin on it. National politics get a lot of oxygen, but local policy is where many of the impactful decisions that shape your and my daily lives happen. This is especially true in Connecticut, where the absence of county government and the celebration of local oversight give the state’s 169 towns unusual power. This class is going to look at local (and regional) governments, how they’re structured, how they reflect resident voices, and what that means for some really critical policy areas like housing, policing, education, and more. We’ll use Connecticut as a case study, talk about how opportunities and inequities get created locally, and be open about what is or is not missing due to the strength of local rule. 

 9. The class will meet here on the UConn Hartford campus on Wednesday evenings after work. Who is the ideal student to enroll? And, what advice do you have for UConn students interested in public policy? 

Anyone who finds themselves in Hartford on a Wednesday night! I’m only sort of kidding. The class should be really interesting to anyone who works in, works for, or lives in this state. I am excited to peel back some layers and think critically about how our communities got to where they are and what creative paths forward are. A benefit of focusing on local politics is that I hope students will come away with a sense of how they can make a meaningful difference, and why that is important.

10. Why should students choose UConn as a place to study public policy and administration? What makes this school special? 

It’s often taken for granted how much policy that shapes our lived experience happens at the state and local level. Our homes, schools, neighborhoods, streets, restaurants, parks, etc. are regulated and funded locally. UConn is an incredible place to learn this first-hand — Not only are we a stone throw from the capitol building, but you would be hard-pressed to go into any government or government-adjacent entity and not find a UConn SPP alum. It’s a strength of being in a small state that physical and relational proximity is so strong. Not only does that tight knit network make SPP the place to be, but it also means that the contributions of SPP have made a meaningful impact on Connecticut residents. 

Dr. Lydia Wileden and her two children celebrate Halloween in CT

 

New Event Date! CT Forum Event Featuring Pete Buttigieg

November 17, 2025

 

 

IMRP OPPORTUNITY! 

The Connecticut Forum’s event, “On Democracy and the Future of the Parties featuring Pete Buttigieg in conversation with Jonah Goldberg” has a new date!

The program, originally postponed from November, will take place on Saturday, January 24th at 7:30 pm.

The event in Mortensen Hall features Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in conversation with political columnist Jonah Goldberg. Seats at this venue are sold out – however, the IMRP is pleased to offer staff and community partners an opportunity to be in the building.

Alongside the School of Public Policy, the IMRP will host a simulcast (video) presentation of the live event in the next door Belding Theater. This smaller venue allows for a gathering of audience members who would otherwise not have access to the program.

More than 200 seats have been allotted for UConn students, faculty, staff, alumni with invites sent out to social science department heads and to the UConn Hartford Campus. IMRP colleagues, partners, and invited guests are welcome to join us for this opportunity.

IMRP Director Andrew Clark will provide opening remarks in the Belding Theater.

Tickets are free but as seats are limited, advance reservations are required.  Please use this LINK to request your spot. We look forward to seeing you there!

From Service to Scholarship: Colonel (Ret.) Susan Camoroda’s Commitment to Public Service

November 7, 2025

woman in service uniform

From Service to Scholarship:

Colonel (Ret.) Susan Camoroda’s Lifelong Commitment to Public Service  

Honoring Veterans Day with IMRP Graduate Assistant, UConn School of Public Policy  

For Susan Camoroda, service has always been more than a duty – it’s a way of life. A retired U.S. Army Colonel with 30 years of commissioned service, Camoroda now brings her leadership and sense of mission to the University of Connecticut’s School of Public Policy (SPP) where she is an MPA Fellow and at the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP) where she works part-time as a graduate research assistant.  

Originally from Fresno, California, Camoroda earned her bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fresno, where she joined the ROTC program, citing the movie An Officer and a Gentleman, her time as a Girl Scout, and visiting a Naval Air Station as early influences.What began as curiosity turned into a decades long adventure across continents. 

After commissioning in 1985, Camoroda served in Germany before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall, in South Korea, and in multiple U.S. installations. Following a brief release from active duty during the military’s downsizing in the late 1990s, she rejoined after 9/11 to support operations at the Pentagon and across the National Guard Bureau, eventually retiring as a Colonel in 2015. 

On deployment for a security rotation to Saudi Arabia, 1995.

Among her proudest experiences, she names the teamwork and camaraderie forged during her years at the Army Operations Center: “We all worked as a team to brief leadership, prepare orders, coordinate deployments. The teamwork and dedication were unforgettable.” 

Today, teamwork continues to define Camoroda’s next chapter. A current student in SPP’s Executive MPA Fellows Program with plans to also pursue a master’s in social work, she thrives on the cohort model that mirrors the unity she valued in the military. “It feels like a team,” she says of her Fellows group, “And that’s what I like most.”  

Through her graduate research assistantship with Dr. Lydia Wileden at IMRP, Camoroda is contributing to two state-level studies related to veterans’ policy. One examines the fiscal impact of Connecticut’s expanded veterans’ property tax exemption, while the other assesses the Municipal Veterans Representative program’s effectiveness.  

“These projects connect directly to my experience,” she explains. “It’s meaningful to help identify ways the state can better support those who have served.” 

Camoroda remains deeply active in veterans’ communities. Since moving to Connecticut in 2021, she has volunteered with local Veterans Coffee Houses, joined the American Legion in Marlborough, and serves with the Veterans Funeral Honor Guard in Colchester. She also works part-time at a local bakery in Vernon where she bakes bread. “It feels good to know you are helping feed people,” she says. 

As Veterans Day approaches, Camoroda hopes people will take a moment to reflect on the deeper meaning of service. “What’s most meaningful is remembering what this country is about – the lessons of history, the honor, dedication, and sacrifice that military members and their families provide to support and defend the Constitution,” she says. 

That sense of purpose continues to drive her academic and professional path. “Whether in uniform or in the community, service is about belonging, learning, and contributing to something greater than yourself,” she explains. 

With her trademark humility, Camoroda says she’ll “see where the winds take me” after completing her graduate degrees. But one thing is clear: wherever those winds blow, they’ll carry the same spirit of service that has guided her all along.