2025 Encore Graduation: Strength in Support
The 27 members of the 2025 Encore Class gathered with family and friends at the Hartford Public Library last Friday to celebrate the beginning of their ‘next act’. Encore Connecticut is the School’s professional development program that helps seasoned corporate and public sector employees transition their skill-sets and experience into successful opportunities (paid and/or volunteer) in Connecticut nonprofits.
Dr. David Garvey, The Director of Encore Connecticut welcomed the crowd of about 100 on behalf of the UConn School of Public Policy to the ceremony and introduced this year’s theme: ‘Strength in Support’.
US Representative Jim Himes shared a congratulatory message expressing his appreciation to the graduates’ commitment to the nonprofit sector. Drawing from his own experience transitioning from banking to affordable housing 20 years ago, he emphasized the immense value that private-sector skills bring to nonprofit work.
Alumni speaker, Ruth Sovronsky (Encore Class of 2012), reflected on her leap from New York lawyer to nonprofit development professional. Her career has included leadership roles at the ACLU of Connecticut and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. Ruth reminded graduates that while the path may be unexpected, it is deeply rewarding.
Class representative Baiju Coilparampil spoke passionately about reinvention, growth, and purpose, quoting the proverb, “Jump and a net will appear.”
“That’s exactly what we did when we enrolled in this program,” Baiju reminded graduates. “We jumped, trusting that somewhere along the way, through learning, the community, the challenge, that net would reveal itself. And it did. It showed up in the form of renewed confidence, expanded skills, supportive peers, and new pathways to serve.”
As you enter this next chapter, carry this truth with you: We are needed. Right now.
“This is a pivotal time for each of us,” he continued. “Not just professionally, but civically. Not just in our careers, but in our communities. We’re not stepping into just another job market – we are stepping into the ongoing work of strengthening civil society itself. Encore has prepared us for that. It has sharpened our skills, expanded our networks, and reminded us that our lived experience is a gift. More importantly, it has clarified something essential: This is our season.”
Baiju said it best when he closed with this sentiment:
“As you enter this next chapter, carry this truth with you: We are needed. Right now.
Our communities need our leadership.
The nonprofit sector needs our strength.
Democracy needs our participation.
And the future needs our voice, especially at the ballot box.
We jumped—and the net appeared.
We asked, “If not us, who?”—and we became the answer.
We asked, “If not now, when?”—and the answer is today.”
The UConn School of Public Policy congratulates the Encore Class of 2025 and encourages graduates to stay connected! Here you will always find Strength in Support.
You can also join the Encore Connecticut Alumni Network on LinkedIn!