Web cookies (also called HTTP cookies, browser cookies, or simply cookies) are small pieces of data that websites store on your device (computer, phone, etc.) through your web browser. They are used to remember information about you and your interactions with the site.
Session Management:
Keeping you logged in
Remembering items in a shopping cart
Saving language or theme preferences
Personalization:
Tailoring content or ads based on your previous activity
Tracking & Analytics:
Monitoring browsing behavior for analytics or marketing purposes
Session Cookies:
Temporary; deleted when you close your browser
Used for things like keeping you logged in during a single session
Persistent Cookies:
Stored on your device until they expire or are manually deleted
Used for remembering login credentials, settings, etc.
First-Party Cookies:
Set by the website you're visiting directly
Third-Party Cookies:
Set by other domains (usually advertisers) embedded in the website
Commonly used for tracking across multiple sites
Authentication cookies are a special type of web cookie used to identify and verify a user after they log in to a website or web application.
Once you log in to a site, the server creates an authentication cookie and sends it to your browser. This cookie:
Proves to the website that you're logged in
Prevents you from having to log in again on every page you visit
Can persist across sessions if you select "Remember me"
Typically, it contains:
A unique session ID (not your actual password)
Optional metadata (e.g., expiration time, security flags)
Analytics cookies are cookies used to collect data about how visitors interact with a website. Their primary purpose is to help website owners understand and improve user experience by analyzing things like:
How users navigate the site
Which pages are most/least visited
How long users stay on each page
What device, browser, or location the user is from
Some examples of data analytics cookies may collect:
Page views and time spent on pages
Click paths (how users move from page to page)
Bounce rate (users who leave without interacting)
User demographics (location, language, device)
Referring websites (how users arrived at the site)
Here’s how you can disable cookies in common browsers:
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data.
Choose your preferred option:
Block all cookies (not recommended, can break most websites).
Block third-party cookies (can block ads and tracking cookies).
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
Under the Enhanced Tracking Protection section, choose Strict to block most cookies or Custom to manually choose which cookies to block.
Open Safari and click Safari in the top-left corner of the screen.
Go to Preferences > Privacy.
Check Block all cookies to stop all cookies, or select options to block third-party cookies.
Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies and site permissions.
Select your cookie settings from there, including blocking all cookies or blocking third-party cookies.
For Safari on iOS: Go to Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security > Block All Cookies.
For Chrome on Android: Open the app, tap the three dots, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies.
Disabling cookies can make your online experience more difficult. Some websites may not load properly, or you may be logged out frequently. Also, certain features may not work as expected.
Phone: 860.486.8828
Email: christopher.todd@uconn.edu
Christopher Todd was recently appointed as the Executive Director of the Office of Early College Programs. He is responsible for providing leadership and support to the Office of Early College Programs staff, faculty and ECE instructors on behalf of Connecticut schools, districts and students. Prior to joining UConn, Chris served 3 years as Bureau Chief in the Talent Office at the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) where he led the Bureau of Educator Effectiveness and the Bureau of Educator Standards and Certification to develop and deploy talent management and human capital development strategies to districts and schools state-wide; ensuring all Connecticut students had access to highly effective educators. Previously, Chris worked in the Windsor Public Schools for 15 years in both classroom and district-based leadership roles. As a classroom teacher, he distinguished himself as both a state and national award winner, teaching a wide-variety of courses and levels including UConn ECE. As a district-based teacher leader, Chris facilitated the district’s TEAM induction program, EPP partnerships and teacher leadership initiatives. Chris holds a BA in History from the University of Colorado, Boulder, an MA in Public Policy from Trinity College, and an MA in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Connecticut. Chris completed his Intermediate Administration and Supervision coursework at Sacred Heart University.
Phone: 860.486.4650
Email: jessica.dunn@uconn.edu
Jessica Dunn is the Assistant Director in the Office of Early College Programs and the Director of Student Enrichment for UConn Early College Experience. Jessica is responsible for managing the student registration process and coordinating student enrichment opportunities. Jessica attended the University of Connecticut where she earned Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Human Development and Family Studies.
Phone: 860.486.8033
Email: stefanie.malinoski@uconn.edu
Stefanie Malinoski is the Program Specialist for the Office of Early College Programs, where she is responsible for maintaining program records and ECE professional development workshops. Stefanie also manages the instructor certification process. Stefanie attended the University of Connecticut where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Master’s degree from the University’s Neag School of Education, specializing in Higher Education and Student Affairs.
Phone: 860.486.6055
Email: carissa.rutkauskas@uconn.edu
Carissa Rutkauskas is the Program Specialist for Outreach and Evaluation in the Office of Early College Programs. Her key responsibilities includes program assessment, evaluation, and research initiative; program information and national trends; developing programs at the high school level; and website and marketing coordination. Carissa has earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Literature and Culture, and a Master of Arts in Geography/Human Geography degrees from the University of Connecticut.
Phone: 860.486.0702
Email: todd.blodgett@uconn.edu
Todd Blodgett is a Program Assistant in the Office of Early College Programs and the Registration Coordinator for UConn Early College Experience. Todd is responsible for coordinating the registration process of ECE courses with UConn’s partnership high schools. Todd attended the University of Connecticut where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Applied and Resource Economics.
Phone:
Email: erin.blanchette@uconn.edu
Erin Blanchette is the Billing & Operations Specialist in the Office of Early College Programs. Erin is responsible for managing the student billing and financial records for ECE students and for the financial operations for ECE and Pre-College Summer Programs. Erin attended the University of Connecticut where she earned Bachelor’s degree.
