Dr. Teresa Foley has dedicated over twenty years to improving teaching and learning in Connecticut’s community colleges. Drawing on her background in scholarship and practice, she has refined curricula through principles of universal design, including the redesign of a highly successful developmental mathematics program. As a faculty member and academic leader, she has focused on equity in learning, mastery access and student advising to support educational and career goals.
Among her accomplishments is expanding the Second Chance Pell (SCP) program, which she first launched at Asnuntuck Community College in 2016. She now oversees SCP for five CT State campuses in eight Department of Correction facilities and is leading the transition to the federally recognized Prison Education Program (PEP). Her efforts focus on expanding vocational programming, strengthening reentry supports and ensuring students have pathways to future academic and career opportunities. Much of this success has come through strong collaborations with community partners, legislators and statewide networks.
Collaboration has been a hallmark of Dr. Foley’s career. At Asnuntuck, she worked through the Diversity Committee and the Achieving the Dream Success Team to expand opportunities and student supports. She has also held statewide leadership roles in mathematics education, participated in New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) accreditation evaluations, and evaluated nationally funded education programs at the secondary level.
Dr. Foley earned her doctorate in special education with a focus in developmental mathematics from the University of Connecticut, a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Ohio University, and a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Connecticut.
