Central Program Staff
Contact us pcs@uconn.edu for any questions.
Bobbi-Jo Wathen, PhD
Director
Bobbi-Jo Wathen, PhD, serves as Director of UConn’s Pre-College Summer Programs. She joins us from a long career in public education as a School Counseling Department Head and School Counselor working in title I schools. In her work in k-12 public education, she specialized in post-secondary transitions, 9th grade success, and creating access to rigorous coursework for ALL students. Dr. Wathen obtained her PhD at the University of Connecticut in Counselor Education with a specialization in Education Policy. She continues to serve as an adjunct professor at the University of Connecticut’s Counselor Education program. She has served The Sheff Foundation, NCWIT’s Counselors for Computing, and the Legal Defense Fund in the efforts to create equitable high-quality education available to ALL students.
Yara Medawar
Program Coordinator
Yara is the Program Coordinator of the Pre-College Summer Program, and is now pursuing a PhD in Environmental Engineering at the University of Connecticut. Yara supervises and organizes academic, leadership, and social student exploratory workshops and reviews and revises all policies and protocols. Prior to starting her doctoral studies, she completed a master's degree in Public Policy from UConn Hartford and a master's degree and bachelor’s degrees in Civil Engineering/Project Management at Notre Dame University, Lebanon.
Abigail Piotrowicz
Program Assistant
Abigail is the Program assistant for the Pre-College Summer Program and is currently pursuing a MA in Curriculum and instruction from the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut. In her role, Abigail oversees student housing logistics, coordinates University classroom spaces for instructors and students as well as support a range of administrative projects throughout the academic year. Previous to her time with PCS, Abigail earned her BA in English alongside a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Connecticut.
Yamileth Lopez-Ramos
Graduate Assistant
Yami is a Graduate Assistant for the Pre-College Summer Program and is currently enrolled in the Higher Education & Student Affairs master's program at the University of Connecticut. Yami is responsible for the recruitment, hiring, training, and supervision of the Summer Residential Staff.
Briana Reid-Maloney
Graduate Assistant
Briana is a Graduate Assistant for the Pre-College Program and will be starting her MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs at the University of Connecticut this fall. Briana recently completed her Bachelor's Degree in Theater and Anthropology at Purchase College and is originally from New York City. Briana is joining the Pre-College staff this summer and can't wait to meet everyone!
Jenilee Valentin
Student Administrative Assistant
Jenilee is a student administrative assistant for the Pre-College Summer Program. She is currently enrolled at the University of Connecticut as an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Crime and Justice. Jenilee is responsible for background logistics, inventory organization, and support communication with participants and families.