It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Susana Ulloa, a beloved member of the University of Connecticut (UConn) community and a dedicated advocate for low-income, first-generation college students. Susana departed from this world on Friday, February 9, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment to empowering others. Susana left behind her husband Joe Caruso, her lovely daughter Elisha Beal who is a 2022 graduate of UConn and her stepdaughter Amber Caruso who is a first-year student at UConn.
For the past 27 years, Susana served as a beacon of hope and guidance in the Center for Academic Programs at the University of Connecticut, where she tirelessly devoted herself to supporting students from underprivileged backgrounds. She started her time working in the Admissions office and later was the Director of the Upward Bound programs in 1997 and her work was not merely a job, but a calling—one driven by her deep-seated belief in the transformative power of education. Through her mentorship, advocacy, and tireless efforts, Susana touched the lives of countless individuals, instilling in them the confidence and determination to pursue their dreams despite the odds stacked against them. She also taught courses in the Political Science Department and was a contributor to the book “The Latinization of U.S. Schools: Successful Teaching and Learning in Shifting Cultural Contexts”.
Beyond her role at UConn, Susana was an active and engaged member of her community, serving on various boards and committees aimed at addressing social inequalities and expanding access to educational opportunities for all. She was an executive board member of the CT Association of Educational Opportunity Programs (CAEOP), CT Association for Latinos in Higher Education (CALAHE), past president of Association for Latinos Faculty and Staff, Windham Regional Attendance Office and Youth Services, the Windham Area Interfaith Ministry (WAIM), amongst many, many others. She also received many accolades such as the 100 Women of Color, graduate of the Harvard School of Education Executive Leadership Academy, PRLACC Outstanding Staff of the Year and the Women’s Center Women of Color Recognition Award, amongst others. Susana earned her B.A. degree in political science at the University of Massachusetts, an M.A. in political science and her Ph.D. in educational leadership from the University of Connecticut. Susana truly believed in the power of education, and she always considered herself a lifelong learner! Her passion for social justice and equity was evident in every aspect of her life, as she worked tirelessly to break down barriers for her students.
Susana will be remembered not only for her professional achievements but also for the warmth of her spirit, the kindness of her heart, and the genuine concern she showed for those around her. She leaves behind a void that cannot be filled, but her legacy will continue to inspire and uplift us all.
Susana’s impact on the lives of others will endure for generations to come, and though she may no longer be with us in body, her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.
To honor Susana and her beautiful life, services will be held for family and friends to share the stories, joy, and laughter that she brought into their lives. Flowers and gifts can be sent to the funeral home or you can donate to the Susana M. Ulloa Memorial Scholarship fund by sending a check to CALAHE, P.O. Box 605, Tolland, CT 06084. Please put on the memo line: Susana M. Ulloa Memorial Scholarship. The wake service will be held on Friday, February 16th from 4 to 8 PM at the Tolland Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Merrow Rd. (Rte. 195), Tolland. A funeral service will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, February 17th at the Tolland Memorial Funeral Home.