Director of News and Editorial Communications

Tom Breen

Tom Breen has been at UConn since 2012, serving as a news writer, deputy spokesperson, manager for special projects, UConn Today editor, and, as of January 2021, director of news and editorial communications. Prior to UConn, he worked as a reporter for The Associated Press, covering health care, religion, and state government in West Virginia and North Carolina, and before the AP, he worked at newspapers in Connecticut and Massachusetts. He is the author of two books about Christianity and contemporary culture, and has published short fiction in many periodicals and anthologies. A second-generation Husky, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2000. He is the co-founder of the award-winning UConn 360 podcast and has given presentations on UConn history to community groups throughout Connecticut. He lives in Manchester, is active in volunteer organizations, and recommends that you try the coconut flavor at the Dairy Bar.

Author Archive

A woman holds up a portrait of George Floyd as people gather outside the Hennepin County Government Center on April 9, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. People demanding justice for George Floyd gathered tonight outside the Government Center, where the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been ongoing for the past two weeks.

Derek Chauvin Trial: 3 Questions America Needs to Ask About Seeking Racial Justice in a Court of Law

The Chauvin case leads to the question: What is the difference between enforcing the law and being the law?

April 15, 2021 | Lewis R. Gordon, Professor of Philosophy

As many schools resume in-person instruction, simple steps can help improve the well-being of students.

Bringing ‘Behavioral Vaccines’ to School: 5 Ways Educators Can Support Student Well-Being

Simple steps that educators and parents can take to help support child well-being throughout the day

April 13, 2021 | Sandra M. Chafouleas, Professor of Educational Psychology

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 18: Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director at the National Institute Of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, takes off his face mask during a hearing, with the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, on the Covid-19 response, on Capitol Hill on March 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for scientists to be better communicators.

Scientists Need to Become Better Communicators, But It’s Hard to Measure Whether Training Works

Organizations that train scientists have to do more than just ask participants in a class whether they learned anything

April 12, 2021 | Robert Wyss, Professor Emeritus of Journalism; Margaret Rubega, Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Robert Capers, Researcher in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Research & Discovery
Patients sitting in waiting room with face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even as vaccination rates rise, new variants of the coronavirus are prompting concern among experts.

How Worried Should You Be About Coronavirus Variants?

UConn virologist Paulo Verardi explains his concerns with new variants of the virus that are spreading rapidly

April 9, 2021 | Paulo Verardi, Associate Professor of Virology and Vaccinology

WNPR

Rethinking How We Talk About Obesity

April 8, 2021 | Tom Breen

WNPR

Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” Turns 50

April 8, 2021 | Tom Breen

Student filmmakers Alyson Schneider, Jon Russo, and Zachary Duda explore Connecticut agriculture in a new documentary.

Connecticut Agriculture is Showcased in UConn Students’ Documentary

'Completely Connecticut Agriculture' explores the creativity and resilience of Connecticut farmers

April 8, 2021 | Stacey Stearns, UConn Extension

Community Impact
Parents of young children are confused by the labeling on sweetened fruit and juice drinks marketed to youngsters, according to new research

Parents Confused about Healthier Drinks for Kids Not Helped by Labeling of Fruit Drinks, Flavored Water and Unsweetened Juice

Clearer disclosures about added sugars, diet sweeteners and percent juice on product packages are needed to address widespread misperceptions about ingredients in popular children’s drinks

April 8, 2021 | Kristin Messina, UConn Rudd Center

Community Impact
A 2019 rally against gun violence in New York City. An April 1 panel organized by UConn scholars brings together researchers, lawmakers, and activists to share perspectives on the persistent public policy issue.

Confronting Gun Violence With Scholarship

April 1 panel will bring together U.S. senators, scholars, advocates to address urgent policy questions

March 31, 2021 | Tom Breen

Community Impact
NPR

Torch Relay Kicks Off For Troubled Tokyo Olympic Games

March 26, 2021 | Tom Breen