2020. Remember when the world turned upside down that year? The Center for Access and Postsecondary Success (CAPS) (formerly known as Student Support Services) Summer Program shifted online that year, throwing us into uncharted waters. Students in that cohort had their high school graduation ceremonies canceled, participated in the Summer Program online, and completed their first year of college almost entirely or entirely online. 

This is one of two reasons why this year’s annual CAPS Senior Recognition Ceremony, themed Students Today, Huskies Forever, was so special. Held on April 18, 2024, in the Alumni Center Great Hall, over 100 students and their family members and friends came together to celebrate their hard work and accomplishments in-person, and receive their CAPS/SSS senior medals to wear at commencement.  

 This year’s ceremony also marked the first time a student was awarded the Dr. Bidya Ranjeet CAPS/SSS Pride Award. The award is given to a senior who has demonstrated a strong connection to CAPS/SSS throughout their tenure at UConn, and a deep commitment to and pride for being a member of the UConn CAPS/SSS community.  The inaugural award recipient was Julio Serna. Julio served as a CAPS/SSS First Year Experience Mentor, assisting with an in-person UNIV 1800 course, a Peer Mentor, a Peer Caller, a Summer Program Community Leader twice, a Student Advisory Board Member, and was part of the community leader interviewing team – and these are only his CAPS/SSS related accomplishments. The award comes with a scholarship for career or graduate school related expenses. 

 Well done seniors, and congratulations to Julio!