Experiential Learning Day Schedule

Keynote Address

Speaker: Jacqueline Kozin '94, Former CT Deputy Secretary of State

The granddaughter of Holocaust survivors from Ukraine, Jacqueline Kozin grew up in New Haven and was the first in her family to graduate college. She has dedicated her career to public service, working in nonprofits, advocacy organizations, political campaigns, and government agencies, most recently serving as Deputy Secretary of State for Connecticut.

After graduating from Albertus with a Bachelor's degree in English, Kozin started her career at an international non-profit organization that worked to support democracy through the development of social sciences and civics curricula in universities throughout the then-newly democratic countries in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

She earned a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University and then worked in communications to support the efforts of human rights activists worldwide. Greatly impacted by 9/11 while living in Manhattan, Kozin returned to Connecticut to work on political campaigns and served as a legislative aide for State Senator Ed Meyer. In 2010, she managed the successful campaign for Kevin Lembo for State Comptroller, who became the first openly gay statewide elected official in Connecticut. Following his win, she served as Legislative Director and Director of Intergovernmental and Community Affairs in the Office of the State Comptroller. In 2018, she joined the campaign of Ned Lamont for Governor as Deputy Campaign Manager, leading him to an unexpected victory. She became Executive Director of the Connecticut Democratic Party in 2019, navigating the party through the disruptive years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to being appointed Deputy Secretary of the State, Kozin served as Special Advisor and Chief of Government Affairs at the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority, helping to launch the state’s newly established program that provides income for Connecticut workers caring for themselves or family members while managing a health crisis.

She continues to serve in government as a recent appointment to the East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Art while on a career sabbatical.