Nearly 30 years ago, a UConn undergraduate student created one of the longest-running community impact programs for UConn Husky Nutrition & Sport – Husky Reads. Stephanie Messercola ’97 (CAHNR) was an Honors Program student completing a practicum experience at Connecticut Children’s when she saw an opportunity to better engage children and families while they were waiting in reception areas. Messercola is now a pediatric physician’s assistant, and thanks to decades of development and leadership Husky Reads has become a nationally recognized program sharing the joy of reading.

“We have had a long-standing partnership with UConn’s Husky Reads for more than 20 years,” says Stephanie Googe, assistant director of the Women’s League Child Development Center in Hartford. “We have staff members that went to preschool here and remember the Husky Reads program! The preschoolers get so excited to see the UConn students every week. They love the lessons and snack time, and they form a connection with the UConn students.”

In 1996, Messercola piloted a curriculum that facilitated reading, exercises, and games, which evolved to integrate nutritious snacks and a service-learning aspect for UConn students under the leadership of professor emerita of medicine Ann Ferris. The program aims to embed a love for reading with young students; increase MyPlate and food group knowledge; the ability to name fruits and vegetables; the willingness to eat a variety of foods; and engagement with games, play, and exercise.

“Starting Husky Reads was a way to bring together two things I’ve always been passionate about — reading and nutrition,” Messercola says. “Volunteering in Hartford, I saw firsthand how stories and healthy food could spark curiosity and joy in young children. It’s incredibly meaningful to know that what began as an Honors thesis project has grown into a program that’s inspired nearly 30 years of learning, service, and connection.”

It’s incredibly meaningful to know that what began as an Honors thesis project has grown into a program that’s inspired nearly 30 years of learning, service, and connection. — Stephanie Messercola ’97 (CAHNR)

More than 800 preschoolers across Connecticut engage with Husky Reads each year, through more than 400 program sessions at 15 early childhood education centers. Such sustained community partnerships are a hallmark of UConn Husky Nutrition & Sport (UConn HNS) as well as the University’s mission, values, and areas of focus in its current Strategic Plan.

“Husky Reads has such a rich history of community investment, working alongside children, families, and staff at places like the Women’s League and so many more organizations in Connecticut,” says UConn HNS staff member Sarah Larocque ’09 (CAHNR), ’12 MS, who currently serves as the lead coordinator of Husky Reads. “Our team and our UConn students really appreciate the many opportunities to build positive connections and grow together as we work with a level of consistency to establish healthy lifestyles through partnerships that sustain.”

Rachael Gabriel, a professor of literacy education at the UConn Neag School of Education and a collaborator with UConn HNS, shares that while literacy experts may disagree about the best materials, assessments, and approaches for teaching reading, Husky Reads encapsulates the one thing they all agree on.

“‘Building a love and joy of reading’ is a key priority for the development of independent, powerful, lifelong readers,” she says. “Husky Reads’ curriculum, combined with UConn students’ enthusiasm and presence, works to establish that exact foundation by integrating games, movement, food, and nutrition to uniquely engage young bodies and minds with reading.”

Key to Husky Reads’ success has been UConn HNS’ decadeslong investment in developing UConn students as future leaders. Husky Reads offers multiple pathways for UConn student involvement, providing classroom learning, teaching opportunities, and transformative community-based experiences within early childhood education centers.

“We host multiple two-credit course sections during the fall and spring semesters, with many enrolled students coming from nutritional sciences, dietetics, and pre-education majors, which just makes sense given the focus of Husky Reads,” says Patricia Bellamy-Mathis ’11 BUS, ’13 MSW, director of programs and partnerships for UConn HNS. “Following the close of a given semester, select students will stay involved as staff, interns, and some even continue as graduate assistants.”

Ripa Das ’25 (CAHNR) is one such student that first joined as a summertime staff member working with Husky Reads and other UConn HNS programs. She then enrolled in a Husky Reads course the next fall semester and remained as a paid student staff leader after that, working with lead staff and new students enrolled in the Husky Reads courses. This coming academic year she will complete a master’s degree in health promotion as part of the Department of Allied Health Sciences’ FastTrack program.

‘Building a love and joy of reading’ is a key priority for the development of independent, powerful, lifelong readers. Husky Reads’ curriculum … works to establish that exact foundation. — Rachael Gabriel, Neag School professor

“As a dietetics student and as someone passionate about healthy eating, it was immediately rewarding to be part of a program that encouraged children to try healthy foods while promoting nutrition and physical activity through a fun and engaging environment,” Das says. “Through my time with Husky Reads, I’ve been able to develop my leadership skills by mentoring new participants. Reflecting on my experience, I am proud to have contributed to a program that empowers youth with the knowledge to make healthier choices which lays the foundation for lifelong health.”

As a first-year Honors student, Natalie Maynard ’28 (ED) learned about Husky Reads through her pre-teaching elementary education courses and academic advisors in the Neag School. She thought the program strongly matched her previous experiences and was an important opportunity to take advantage of as a new UConn student.

“I’ve worked as a preschool educator in my hometown while in high school, so I had a level of confidence already,” she says. “Still, as a developing educator, I’m always excited about the chance to work with kids and learn from others in new settings. I was able to thrive with the support of the course instructor and the structure of the curriculum. Plus, it was a set day and time every week during the semester, with transportation being provided, so I was really able to balance Husky Reads within my schedule.”

This past spring, Maynard was selected for a SHARE Virtual Summer Apprenticeship through the Office of Undergraduate Research and was placed with UConn HNS. This has allowed her to continue working closely with the team’s faculty, staff, and UConn students of all programs and levels. This summer, she has completed CITI research training; joined an IRB-approved research team; reviewed evaluation protocols and recently collected program data; and examined academic literature, all while continuing to identify practical applications that support her goal to become a classroom educator.

Jahnyah Lumpkin ’27 (CLAS), a pre-med student, joined UConn HNS this summer as a Health Disparities Clinical Summer Research Fellow, a program coordinated through UConn Health. Through a mix of research responsibilities and time spent with Husky Reads, Lumpkin was able to experience public service focused on nutrition and physical activity, as well as individual, family, and community empowerment.

“I really took a lot from the UConn HNS professional development sessions, which focused on seeing strengths and connecting across differences among teammates, with partners, and when working within communities,” she says. “Our team could really feel the immediate impacts this summer. Coming out of this experience, I possess the opportunity to transfer this learning to enhance my future career in medicine… thinking about the power dynamics involved, how to build trust, ways to invest in relationships, and really working collaboratively through communication and expertise-sharing with patients.”

These are just a few of the many students and campus partners that engage with UConn HNS and the Husky Reads development pipeline every year through courses, internships, and jobs.

I really took a lot from the UConn HNS professional development sessions, which focused on seeing strengths and connecting across differences among teammates, with partners, and when working within communities. — Jahnyah Lumpkin ’27 (CLAS)

“Our team is dedicated to student development,” Bellamy-Mathis says. “We want to ensure their preparation as a growing professional, eventual UConn graduate, and proud alum. We have a strong track record of supporting cool and talented students that eventually become leaders within their professions and communities, and we see Husky Reads as an integral and growing part of that effort.”

As UConn HNS continues Messercola’s legacy and further expands Husky Reads, the team is exploring increasing the credit hours for the UConn courses, adding more class time, peer-to-peer discussions, guest speakers, and reflection assignments. Beyond campus, the team is seeking to further involve the families of the preschoolers participating in Husky Reads, encouraging healthy food options, offering more family cooking classes, and increasing engagement with activities focused on literacy and active lifestyles.

UConn HNS, as always, is also working to collaborate with new partner sites. This past year, the team expanded its long-term partnership with Hartford Public Schools by offering Husky Reads at Fred D. Wish Museum School for the first time. This pilot of the 10-week Husky Reads curriculum in the school’s pre-kindergarten classrooms included new books, games, and snacks, with plans to continue the partnership in the upcoming school year.

“It is a joy to connect preschool-aged children with college students, where both parties are having fun and learning together,” Larocque says. “As a registered dietitian, it’s incredible to see so many kids try healthy snacks each week. As a UConn instructor, I love to watch the college students grow more confident teaching the lessons and interacting with the preschoolers and their teachers. Coordinating everything involved certainly requires a lot of time, energy, and resources to make this all work, yet Husky Reads continues to be a win-win for the many people involved.”