Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Affairs

The Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) team supports graduate education by developing engaged communities across multiple disciplines at the University of Connecticut. We help graduate students and postdoctoral scholars achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals during their time at the University of Connecticut. Our team:

  • Develops and promotes programs to enrich academic journeys and creates experiences for personal and professional growth.
  • Provides guidance to navigate various opportunities and challenges through administrative services and consultations.
  • Collaborates across UConn departments and offices to enhance the infrastructure that supports graduate education

Each staff member specializes in a different branch of our office. Reach out to our team and learn more about how we can further support you.

If you cannot find the staff member you are looking for, please feel free to send an email to gradschool@uconn.edu so we can get you connected with the right person

Karen Bresciano

Assistant Dean of The Graduate School Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Affairs

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Schedule Time: Email me

Email: karen.bresciano@uconn.edu

Phone: (860) 486-0983

Can help with: One-on-one support, advocacy, and problem-solving for graduate students and post docs, as well as the faculty and staff who work with them.  Exploring and improving systemic issues that affect the graduate education experience at UConn.

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Megan Petsa

Director of Graduate Student Administration

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Schedule Time: Email me

Email: megan.petsa@uconn.edu

Phone: (860) 486-0977

Can help with: Graduate assistantships, voluntary separation and reinstatement, enrollment exceptions, Timely Topics Series, departmental stewardship, policies and procedures.

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Stuart Duncan

Director of Programming and Diversity Recruitment

Pronouns: He/Him and They/Them

Schedule Time: Email me

Email: stuart.duncan@uconn.edu

Phone: (860) 486-0681

Can help with: Programming for graduate students, including orientation, three-minute thesis competition, and grad appreciation week. Programming for postdoctoral scholars, including the yearly seed award competition, datablitz competition, and postdoc appreciation week. Diversity recruitment and the management of Harriott, Jorgensen, and Crandall fellowships programs. 

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Tori Sanchez

Graduate Assistant

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Schedule Time: Email me

Email: vis22005work@uconn.edu

Phone: (860) 486‑3617