About
Mission
Our organization is a gathering of FIRST alumni from the FIRST Robotics Competition and Tech Challenge at UConn. We provide our members with professional development and networking opportunities by continuing to engage with the greater FIRST community. To do this we travel all over New England attending local FIRST events spreading the word about our organization and the opportunities to engage with robotics at UConn.
History
UConn FIRST started in 2014 when a group of FIRST alumni at UConn wanted to continue their engagement in the community despite no longer competing on teams. They wanted to create a space where FIRST alumni at UConn could come and share their passion for robotics while developing professional, networking, and mentorship skills.
FIRST in SHOW Season Recap
15 FIRST Teams Mentored by UConn FIRST Members
3 FIRST Events hosted at UConn
Over 25 FIRST events attended by UConn FIRST Members
45 UConn-affiliated individuals volunteered at FIRST Events
What We Do
Mentoring local FIRST Teams
Our members help mentor and develop local FIRST Teams. Our members help teach skills and provide advice to help them with their seasons.
Volunteering at FIRST Competitions
Our members give back to the FIRST Community by volunteering at local FIRST events. We love being able to support a community that we love so much.
Hosting FIRST Events at UConn
Our members seek to facilitate a stronger partnership between the FIRST and UConn communities, particullarly through hosting FIRST events on the UConn Storrs campus.
Meet Our E-Board
Get to know our 2024-2025 Executive Board
Alron D'Mello
Co-President
Alron is an alumnus of FRC Team 181, Birds of Prey. He is a senior Management and Engineering for Manufacturing student. He is also a co-lead mentor of FLL Challenge Team X, the Tolland County Titans. He also mentors the FTC Team 23535, the Titans.
Joey Macary
Co-President
Joey is an alumnus of FRC Team 1071, Team MAX. He is a sophomore Business Management student. He is the Executive Director of the Tolland County Robotics Foundation (TCRF) and mentors both FLL and FTC teams.
Amanda Billingslea
Vice President
Amanda is an alumna of FRC Team 230, the Gaelhawks. She is a sophomore Mechanical Engineering student. She is the co-lead mentor of FLL Challenge Team X, the Tolland County Titans.
Sharva Karthikeyan
Treasurer
Sharva is an alumnus of FTC Team X. He is sophomore Biology student. He is a head referee for the Connecticut FIRST Tech Challenge program.
Maria Garban
Secretary
Maria is an alumna of FRC Team 8085, MOJO. She is a junior Physiology and Neurobiology student. She is the co-lead mentor of FLL Challenge Team 58278, the Tolland County Titans.
Amir Shatara
Community Relations
Amir is an alumnus of FRC Team 2067, Apple Pi. He is a junior Robotics Engineering student. He is a mentor for FRC Team 2067, Apple Pi.
Laxmi Vobbineni
Volunteer Coordinator
Laxmi is an alumna of FRC Team 181, Birds of Prey. She is a Biomedical Engineering student. She is the co-lead mentor of FLL Challenge Team X, The Tolland County Titans.
Jasmine Morris
Secondary Advisor
Jasmine is an alumna of FRC Team 5686, The Wirecats. She is a second-year Master's of Social Work student. She is also the co-lead mentor of FTC Team 23535, The Titans.
Where Are Our Members From
FRC
We have members from FRC Teams 181, 1071, 1124, 2067, 2168, 2170, 3464, 5686, and 8085.
FTC
We have members from FTC Teams 5518, 5520, and 8152.
Other FIRST Affiliations
We have members who were unable to be apart of FIRST Teams but have served as Volunteers at events and Mentors for various FIRST Teams.