Maura Cook, an adjunct professor at Sacred Heart University, was nominated for the Hartford Business Journal’s (HBJ) “40 Under Forty” list of 2022. Cook was one of 130 nominees that was narrowed down to the final list of 40 honorees.
The list “recognizes outstanding young professionals in the Greater Hartford area that are excelling in their industries through their leadership roles,” according to HBJ.
While Cook is a professor in communications and public administration at SHU, she is also the Vice President of Marketing and Development at the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. The United Way is one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the world, according to their mission statement.
“After completing her graduate degree at SHU, Prof. Cook had offers from some of the top PR firms but chose to pursue a communication career in the nonprofit sector,” said Professor James Castonguay, associate dean in SHU’s College of Arts and Sciences and professor of communication and media studies.
Not only does Cook hold this role within the United Way, but she is also the youngest member on their senior leadership team, according to HBJ.
“I was so honored to be nominated, let alone recognized. I have worked really hard and set big career goals for myself, and I’m proud of what I have been able to accomplish,” said Cook, according to a press release from SHU.
Cook is no stranger to the SHU community, as she received her master’s degree from the university in 2013, and she continues to be an active member through teaching in the graduate program.
“The School of Communication, Media and the Arts (SCMA) is especially proud [that] Prof. Cook is an alumnus of our graduate program in communication,” said Castonguay. “Our academic programs are only successful if our students are able to thrive out there in the ‘real world’ after graduating, and Maura exemplifies that.”
Cook and members of SCMA are on the same page about the honor that this recognition deserves.
“Serving as a faculty member at SHU is fulfilling,” said Cook, according to a press release from SHU. “Learning from the best and then teaching with the best is a rare opportunity that I treasure. I love working with students and sharing my experience with them. I am passionate about helping people find what they love to do and maximizing their potential, and teaching at SHU enables me to do that.”
Meghan Bennett contributed to this article.
