Horizons at Norwalk Community College Names Executive Director

Norwalk, June 26, 2020

The Board of Directors of Horizons at Norwalk Community College (NCC) announced Renee Rosenbluh has been named Executive Director of this local education nonprofit. Horizons at NCC provides a free summer learning program and year-round support for low-income children in Norwalk.

Ms. Rosenbluh, a seasoned nonprofit professional and M.P.H. comes to Horizons Norwalk Community College from Horizons at Sacred Heart University. Ms. Rosenbluh will begin her new role on July 8.

“As a veteran of Horizons, Renee knows and understands the important work we do to improve student outcomes and benefit Norwalk children and families," said Karen McKeel Calby of Darien, CT, Chair of Horizons at NCC’s Board of Directors. "We are delighted to have Renee’s professional expertise and leadership as we build upon the momentum of our first eight years."

Founded in 2013, Horizons NCC is an affiliate of Horizons National that serves more than 6,000 children at 62 sites in 20 states. A proven model, Horizons produces a 97% high school graduation rate among its students nationally, with 91% of graduates going on to college or other post-secondary education.

The cornerstone of Horizons NCC is a six-week summer program where dedicated teachers engage students in small groups and emphasize essential academic skills to maximize students’ abilities and self-confidence. Students also participate in a wide variety of enrichment activities, with swimming featured as a core skill. In summer 2020, the program will serve 108 children in Pre-K through 7th grade.

While the NCC campus is closed at this time due to Covid-19, Horizons NCC remains vibrant. Thanks to assistance from the Norwalk Public Schools Technology Department, students and teachers will connect virtually via Google Classroom. In preparation for the first day of Horizons, teachers waved to students and parents who picked up bags of supplies for summer learning and fun.

Longtime Horizons advocate Dr. David L. Levinson shared: “We are honored to be part of Horizons whose national benchmarks demonstrate the importance of year-round learning for eradicating the ‘summer slide’ and the achievement gap. Through Horizons at NCC, children are introduced to the joys of lifelong learning, in an environment where college attendance is the norm.” Past President of NCC, Dr. Levinson was a founding Board member of Horizons NCC and currently he is the Interim President of the proposed Connecticut State Community College merger.

A native of New York City, Ms. Rosenbluh came to know the Norwalk area when she was a student at Fairfield University. Upon graduation she returned to New York City where she worked as a community health advocate and in nonprofit development before permanently relocating to Connecticut a few years ago:

“I am thrilled to join the Horizons at NCC team and am eager to begin working directly with children and families in Norwalk. The need for academic support, social emotional awareness and community has never been greater, as Covid-19 is a shared global trauma affecting everyone. For our students and their families, Horizons will continue to be that constant resource."

Renee Rosenbluh joins Horizons at NCC from Horizons at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, an affiliate of Horizons National. She also worked at New Reach, Inc in New Haven, a nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness . Ms. Rosenbluh holds a Master’s in Public Health from Walden University in Baltimore, MD and a bachelors degree from Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT where she majored in Art History and minored in Marketing. She is proficient in Spanish.

About Horizons

Horizons at NCC, an independent 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, is one of 62 affiliates of Horizons National, a network of student enrichment programs across the country working with underserved children to realize their full potential.

The cornerstone of Horizons NCC is a six-week summer program where dedicated teachers engage students in small groups and emphasize essential academic skills to maximize students’ abilities and self-confidence. Students also participate in a wide variety of enrichment activities, with swimming featured as a core skill. In summer 2020, the program will serve 106 children in Pre-K through 7th grade. Horizons NCC will add 8th grade in summer 2021.

While all Horizons programs follow the national model, Horizons NCC uniquely capitalizes on its collaboration with our host - Norwalk Community College – and the college’s Child Development Lab School (CDLS), which offers students both a Pre-K program and exposure to a college environment. After humble beginnings in 2013 with a single classroom of ten Norwalk kindergarteners, we partnered with the CDLS to add Pre-K and an additional grade in each subsequent year. The opportunity to be part of a college community at such an early age encourages the students to reach for college as a tangible and accessible goal. Students enjoy the outstanding resources of NCC - including the classrooms, computer labs, culinary arts facilities, studios and more. With this important advantage, Horizons NCC students are nurtured, challenged and prepared with the foundational tools and skills for a productive life.

As an affiliate of Horizons National, Horizons NCC has its own leadership, including a board of directors, a dedicated and experienced professional staff, and a community of engaged philanthropic partners.

Horizons at NCC is primarily funded through tax deductible contributions from local individuals, corporations, and foundations. The generous provision of space and services from host institution Norwalk Community College allows a higher percentage of these financial donations to directly fund student programming and teacher salaries. Please visit Horizons at NCC for more information.