CTNext Announces Second Cohort of Governor's Innovation Fellowship

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CTNext

Jun 09, 2022, 08:30 ET

Year-long program to help with talent retention in Connecticut goes statewide and names 33 recent graduates to second cohort

HARTFORD, Conn., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Governor's Innovation Fellowship (GIF), facilitated by CTNext, today announced the statewide expansion of the fellowship and the participants of the 2022–2023 cohort. The GIF program retains Connecticut's greatest talent and places the most promising college graduates in growing companies in the state.

Governor Ned Lamont first announced the launch of the fellowship in February 2020.

This year, 33 graduates from top universities secured their spot in the next cohort, while landing positions with companies across Connecticut. During the program, fellows will foster a strong network of professionals, while participating in workshops, seminars and social events throughout the year.

These professionals were named to the second cohort of fellows for the Governor's Innovation Fellowship:

  •     Aquib Akhtar, Connecticut College
  •     Nichole Alley, University of Connecticut
  •     Gabriel     Bitencourt, Sacred Heart University
  •     Nicholas Bradley, Southern Connecticut State University
  •     Owen Buhrendorf, Roanoke College
  •     Julie Chmura, University of New Haven
  •     Tom Cotton, University of Connecticut
  •     Jessica de Atienza, University of Hartford
  •     Sarah DeMaio, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA
  •     Morgan Dow, Fairfield University
  •     Victor Ezike, University of New Haven
  •     Kelly Finn, University of Connecticut
  •     Jae Geary, University of Connecticut
  •     Bailey Harris, University of Connecticut
  •     Dawson Hettrick, University of Connecticut
  •     Cheyenne Johnson, Central Connecticut State University
  •     Irina Lalayants, University of Bridgeport
  •     Leana Mauricette, Southern Connecticut State University
  •     Rebecca Millward, University of Hartford
  •     Kelsey    Mitchell, University of Connecticut
  •     Michael Neumann, Quinnipiac University
  •     Michael O'Hara, Sacred Heart University
  •     Andre Oliveira, Wesleyan University
  •     Miguel Orellana, University of Connecticut
  •     Yash Parah, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
  •     Cal Pitruzzello, University of Connecticut
  •     Jack Ryland, University of Notre Dame
  •     Stephanie Sackeyfio, University of New Haven
  •     Keshawn Smith, University of Hartford
  •     Daniel Speer, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  •     Maribeth Teves, University of Connecticut
  •     Kim Vu, University of Connecticut
  •     Cassie Zukauskas, Western Connecticut State University

Graduates will be working for Connecticut-based companies including:

  •     12-15 Molecular Diagnostics
  •     Avangrid
  •     Cadenza Innovation
  •     Connecticut Water
  •     Consor
  •     General Dynamics Electric Boat
  •     Henkel
  •     HomeField US
  •     Infiltrator Water Technologies
  •     Lockheed Martin
  •     McKinsey & Company
  •     MediSynergics
  •     Pitney Bowes
  •     Point Pickup
  •     ReferWell
  •     Results Group
  •     RevMedica
  •     Sema4
  •     Sikorsky Aircraft
  •     Synchrony
  •     Target Arm
  •     Teamworthy
  •     The Hartford
  •     Travelers
  •     Visual Technologies

"We reviewed more than 400 applications for the second cohort of the Governor's Innovation Fellowship," said Onyeka Obiocha, executive director of CTNext. "The response is so incredibly positive for Connecticut. These are graduates looking to stay in Connecticut and support growing companies in our state."

About GIF
The Governor's Innovation Fellowship offers ambitious, high-achieving recent graduates the opportunity to work at top innovative companies in Connecticut, developing their careers while working together as a community of fellows, growing together professionally and personally to create a cohort of talent, camaraderie and growth in the state. For more information, visit http://www.ctnext.com/programs-and-resources/programs/ctgif/.

About CTNext
CTNext develops programs and funding to help technology- and innovation-based startups and early-stage businesses grow in Connecticut. CTNext also manages initiatives to expand and strengthen the ecosystem that supports new business development across the state, including Innovation Places, the Technology Talent Bridge, CTNext Partners and more. For more information, visit http://www.ctnext.com.

Media Contact

Lauren Carmody, CTNext, 8602587829, [email protected]

SOURCE CTNext