City schools chief receives UConn diversity, equity & inclusion award

“I believe deeply in the transformative power of education. That is why so much of my life’s work has been about trying to provide equitable learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds.” New Haven Superintendent of Schools Madeline Negrón

NEW HAVEN — Superintendent of Schools Madeline Negrón was honored Saturday with a diversity award at the University of Connecticut Neag School of Education’s 26th Annual Alumni Awards Celebration.

Meanwhile, New Haven’s Davis Academy for Arts and Design Innovation also will be honored with the school’s 2024 Rogers Educational Innovation Fund Award, New Haven Public Schools said in a release.

Negrón, a former Hartford deputy superintendent who has served as New Haven’s top educator since April 2023, will receive the Neag School of Education’s 2024 Outstanding Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Professional award, the release states.

It’s one of nine alumni awards the school is giving out.

“I am honored to be recognized by my alma mater, the Neag School of Education, for my work on diversity, equity and inclusion,” Negrón said.

“I believe deeply in the transformative power of education,” Negrón said. “That is why so much of my life’s work has been about trying to provide equitable learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds.”

New Haven Public Schools spokesman Justin Harmon said the award “encompasses Dr. Negrón’s work over 28 years in the profession” and isn’t just for work in the 11 months she’s been in New Haven.

He added that “advocating for the learning needs of students in a minority-majority district such as New Haven is serving the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

Negrón “has made her initial priorities — and we are making progress — in getting students back into the classroom and improving outcomes in literacy,” Harmon said.

“Dr. Negrón has begun to leverage her experiences in DEI work specifically to benefit our students,” Harmon said. “With only eight months in the job, she is overseeing the development of a plan to increase diversity among our educators. She also is building access and inclusivity at the cabinet and executive level. Since this is a core value for her, there will be more to come.”

Mark Zaretsky/Hearst Connecticut Media New Haven's new Superintendent of Schools Madeline Negrón speaks to a second grade student in teacher Mercedes Ellis' class at Lincoln-Bassett Community School in the Newhallville section the morning after her contract was approved in April.