The Honors Program at Connecticut State Community College (CT State) is steering students to success during their time at CT State and beyond.
“The Honors Program is an academic enhancement to any two-year degree at CT State. Honors students supplement their academics by taking more rigorous course work, participating in extensive special programming and enjoying a variety of special opportunities. These experiences enable them to develop a strong network within and beyond the college and to develop academic and professional skills that serve them in all areas of life,” explained Andrea Levy, Ph.D., Honors Program coordinator and psychology professor.
The Honors Program provides students with a unique learning environment, offering smaller class sizes where the members of the cohort take courses together. A cornerstone of the program is the Honors Seminar, where students work on a capstone project, explore transfer opportunities, participate in workshops about critical thinking, leadership and interview skills, go on field trips, and much more.
Honors Program students also enjoy special opportunities such as serving as ambassadors when guests such as Gov. Ned Lamont and former Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visit campus. Honors students have also been invited to speak at Commencement, serve as student representatives to the Board of Regents, and to speak at state-wide events.
“The more rigorous coursework, the special programming, the unique opportunities and the close mentoring help Honors Program students succeed not only during their two-year course of study, but also long after graduation,” said Dr. Levy.
And in fact, statistics also show that 94% of those who completed the program at CT State Middlesex transferred to a four-year university.
Journey to Amherst College
Katelyn Parrott, a 2021 graduate of Cheshire Academy, heard about the Honors Program during her first semester at CT State Middlesex. Despite initial doubts about her abilities, she found encouragement from Dr. Levy and Prof. Terence McNulty, who helped her overcome fears about not being “good enough” to transfer to a prestigious four-year college or university. With their mentorship, Katelyn excelled academically, balancing work and school commitments.
Enrolling in the Liberal Arts and Sciences program, Katelyn approached her education with a desire for personal growth before committing to a specific field of study. “I wanted to cultivate skills as a person before deciding what to study,” she said.
Katelyn graduated from CT State Middlesex in 2024 and transferred to Amherst College, where she is studying English. She hopes to work in editing and publishing, as well as write fiction.
When asked about her advice to students considering the Honors Program, she said, “Expect a lot of encouragement if you are open to it. When you put in the work, you get more back.”
Homeschooling to Yale and Beyond
Dante Petruzziello, of East Hampton, CT, came from a unique educational background. After attending public preschool and Kindergarten, his family decided to try homeschooling, placing an emphasis on experiential learning through field trips, co-ops and the exploration of his academic interests.
Inspired by an older friend who attended CT State Middlesex with positive experiences, Dante chose to enroll as well. In Fall 2016, he took two classes, including a psychology course with Dr. Levy, who saw his potential and encouraged him to apply for the Honors Program.
By Fall 2017, Dante was a full-time student majoring in Liberal Arts and Sciences and a member of the Honors Program, with plans to transfer to a four-year college.
As an Honors Program student, Dante found the small cohort of motivated peers and individualized attention from professors invaluable. “Their mentorship was super important,” he said, emphasizing how influential their support was throughout his community college experience.
A pivotal moment for Dante was when Dr. Levy urged him to apply to Yale University—a possibility he thought was out of reach. With encouragement and guidance, Dante applied and was accepted. In 2019, he became a biology major at Yale, living on campus and thriving in the university community, and graduating in 2022.
Dante is currently a medical student at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. In the school’s accelerated curriculum, Dante is exploring his options for specialization, including a potential focus on orthopedic surgery.
Average Student to Overachiever
Julia Noriega, a lifelong Middletown resident, graduated from Middletown High School in 2020. Growing up, she said she always knew about CT State Middlesex, but it came to the forefront with the state’s free tuition program, formerly known as PACT (Pledge to Advance Connecticut).
The program covers tuition and mandatory fees for Connecticut residents attending CT State Community College after federal and state grants are applied. Students must fill out the FAFSA and enroll in at least six credits.
Upon acceptance to CT State Middlesex, Julia chose to major in Liberal Arts and Sciences. By the end of her first semester, she received an email from Dr. Levy about the Honors Program and decided to apply, even though she considered herself to be an “average student” in high school.
Accepted into the Honors Program, Julia said she flourished. A highlight of her experience was completing a capstone project on “Fast Fashion: Effects and Solutions,” which took three months of research and was presented at the annual Academic Convivium at CT State Middlesex.
Julia found the program connected her directly with four-year college admissions offices, providing opportunities she hadn’t considered before.
“I might actually do this,” she recalled thinking after meeting with admissions representatives. The program also allowed her to bond with other honors students, particularly during the Friday seminar, which includes activities and discussions with former honors students and alumni. She is planning to speak to the current Honors Program cohorts at Middlesex as an alum presenter this year.
After graduating from CT State Middlesex in 2022, Julia transferred to Wesleyan University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology in May 2024. Now living in Michigan, she is working as a capacity study intern with the Henry Ford Museum.
“Coming from being an average student to an overachiever is because of the Honors Program at CT State Middlesex,” Julia said.
Student with Ambitious Goals
Gatlin Granniss is a current Honors Program student at CT State Middlesex. From Clinton, CT, Gatlin shares a homeschooling background with Dante, but his homeschooling organization completely shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this setback, Gatlin finished his high school studies in 2023
Inspired by his older brother who attended CT State Middlesex, Gatlin enrolled as a Liberal Arts and Sciences student with a special interest in environmental science. He expects to graduate in May 2025 and plans to transfer to UConn.
Gatlin said the close-knit cohort of honors students and the helpful support from professors are what he appreciates most from his Honors Program experience.
“Their advice is very valuable for navigating academic success,” he said. “The advisory role [of my professors] is the highlight of my fantastic experience with the Honors Program.”
Gatlin also emphasized that the “really, really supportive environment” within the program lets students form strong bonds and support one another.
Because Honors Program students can enroll in a course at nearby Wesleyan at no cost, he is currently taking Modern to Post-Modern history course, taught by Michael Roth, the university’s president.
“It has been a liberating experience to take a class at Wesleyan, but also to be considered a student there for the semester, enabling me to use campus facilities and attend events at the university,” Gatlin added.
Gatlin, whose capstone project is about health and safety regulations for marijuana, also values class sessions with guest speakers as a benefit from the Honors Program.
Finding Confidence After High School
Mukshud Ahamed of Westbrook, CT, came to CT State Middlesex after almost failing high school. He soon discovered a love for biology, quickly demonstrated his capability and was accepted into the Honors Program.
Mukshud was also accepted into the prestigious Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) and spent the summer at the Yale School of Medicine shadowing physicians in the emergency room and internal medicine as well as collaborating in small-group clinical rotations and full-group clinician seminars.
After focusing on general studies/biotechnology as a CT State Middlesex student, Mukshud transferred to Wesleyan University, where he became a McNair Fellow, a program that assists students from underrepresented groups to prepare for post-graduate education. He earned a BA in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Wesleyan in 2019.
“The Honors Program at Middlesex allowed me to challenge myself academically and professionally and was essential in my transfer to Wesleyan University on a full scholarship. Students like me who underperformed in high school deserve as many chances as they require to reach their full potential. The Honors Program and beyond at Middlesex provide such opportunities,” said Mukshud.
He is now pursuing a doctorate in Molecular and Cell Biology at Stonybrook University and has published in national science journals.
With success stories like these, the Honors Program continues to prove that with encouragement, hard work and opportunity, students can achieve more than they ever imagined.
Learn More About the Honors Program
The Honors Program is poised to impact even more students as it expands across CT State’s 12 campuses. Students can participate in the Honors Program on any CT State campus even if is not their home campus.
To be eligible for the Honors Program, incoming first-year students should have a minimum 3.25 high school GPA or a score of at least 500 in both sections of the SATs. Current CT State students with 3.25 GPA can also apply at the end of their first semester. An application form and additional requirements are listed on the Honors Program website.
Prospective students can also reach out directly to Dr. Levy at andrea.levy@ctstate.edu with questions.