'The Governor and Commissioner listened to the students' suggestions about how to improve our society and what their dreams and challenges are'
Gov. Ned Lamont visits a UConn Waterbury class taught by Prof. Laura Donofrio (UConn Photo / Steve Bustamante).
On Tuesday, September 12, 2023, Governor Ned Lamont and Vanessa Dorantes, Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families came to Waterbury to announce the establishment of the Governor's Kids Cabinet to improve the behavioral and mental health of children across the state.
After the roundtable meeting, they visited a Human Development and Family Sciences Class (HDFS) at UConn Waterbury to talk to students about their future career plans to work with families, children, and older adults across the state. Students in HDFS 2200, Adulthood and Aging, were excited to meet the Governor and Commissioner.
Also in attendance were Laura Donorfio, the instructor and an HDFS faculty member at UConn Waterbury, Brian Chapman, HDFS faculty member at UConn Waterbury, Fumiko Hoeft, Director of the Waterbury Campus, and other UConn Waterbury leaders.
The governor talked with students about their vision for Connecticut children and families and solicited ideas for improving the state. The students' ideas included transportation, financial literacy, intergenerational programming, and opportunities to engage in fieldwork within the community and various state agencies.
Gov. Lamont spoke to students about their future career plans and encouraged them to establish these careers in Connecticut. Over half of the nearly 30 students in attendance acknowledged having worked with children and many expressed interest in working with young children, adolescents, and older adults in the future.
"Our HDFS students are the next in line to help Connecticut families and Governor Lamont showed a strong interest in learning about their future careers and how we can make things better in Connecticut," said Donofrio.
According to Campus Director Hoeft, "The Governor and Commissioner listened to the students' suggestions about how to improve our society and what their dreams and challenges are. He offered the students the opportunity to visit the state Capitol and offered opportunities for internships."
As Gov. Lamont left the campus, he even made an impromptu stop in the student lounge and played ping pong with students, cheered on by many from the UConn Waterbury community.
