Nathan Fuerst, Vice President for Student Life & Enrollment February 14, 2025
DIVISION OF STUDENT LIFE & ENROLLMENT
APPOINTS ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT LIFE
The Division of Student Life and Enrollment has named Cynthia Costanzo the Assistant Vice President for Student Life (AVPSL), effective February 7, 2025.
In the role of AVPSL, Cyndi will partner with senior administration to establish division-wide priorities and assessment strategies to enhance the Student Life programs and services. She will also provide leadership and supervision for the following departments: Community Standards, Residential Life, Student Union & Event Services, and UConn Recreation. In addition to working with leaders across these and other areas, Cyndi will serve a critical role in engaging students where they experience challenges and/or emergencies as they navigate these services.
Costanzo has served as the Interim AVPSL since May 2024. Previously, she was Executive Director of UConn Recreation for 12 years. During this time, she joined University stakeholders in designing, developing, and constructing the University’s 200,000-square-foot Student Recreation Center. The facility was recognized as a 2021 NIRSA Outstanding Facility, 2021 Athletic Business Facility, and the 2020 AGC Build CT large new construction award of merit.
Cyndi had a brief career in corporate wellness, followed by working at Western New England College (University) in various roles from 1993 to 2012, including recreation and collegiate athletics. Eventually, she became the Senior Associate Director of Athletics and the first Senior Women Administrator. Costanzo graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine/Athletics Training and in 1990 with a Master of Art in Biophysical Science.
Cyndi serves as a member of UConn’s JED Campus Committee, as a board member for the Hartford Marathon Foundation, a board member of the Ellington Recreation Commission, and previously served on the Promising Practices Workgroup, a subcommittee of the NIRSA Wellbeing Taskforce. Additionally, she has contributed to Campus Rec magazine on leadership, management, well-being, and the value of work. She has presented regionally and nationally and coauthored with her husband, Paul, on topics including health and wellbeing and the value of recreational activities to enhance community wellbeing.
Please join me in thanking Cyndi for her outstanding leadership in the interim role of AVPSL and congratulating her on being named the permanent Assistant Vice President of Student Life.
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For more information, contact: Janice Canniff at janice.canniff@uconn.edu