New Haven, Conn. — October 1, 2026

As Albertus Magnus College enters its second century of excellence, it is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Alumni Awards. Both the Alumni of the Year and the Premier Achievement Awards recognize alumni who exemplify excellence of purpose and who make a joyful, meaningful difference in the lives of others. The ceremony will take place on Friday, October 23, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m., in the Behan Community Room at the award-winning Hubert Campus Center.

The Alumni of the Year Award is presented to a living member of the Alumni Association who has attained preeminence in their life through outstanding professional, scholarly, and artistic achievement; who is devoted to serving others through volunteer and community service; or who has manifested extraordinary loyalty and dedication to Albertus. This year’s Alumni of the Year Award recognizes both an undergraduate and a graduate recipient.

The Premier Achievement Award is presented to a living member of the Alumni Association who has graduated from Albertus within the last 10 years and who has either excelled professionally within the community or has shown extraordinary loyalty to the College.

Joan Sacco ’59, ’23 D.H.L., is the 2026 undergraduate recipient of the Alumni of the Year Award.

Sacco exemplifies the lifelong commitment to Albertus Magnus College and the spirit of service that the Alumni of the Year (Undergraduate) Award seeks to recognize. A dedicated alumna, community leader, and accomplished professional, Joan has remained deeply connected to Albertus for more than six decades. After earning her bachelor’s degree in History on a full academic scholarship, she built a successful and varied career in real estate, interior decoration, social work, and insurance, working for Travelers, the State of Connecticut, and several leading real estate agencies while holding memberships in the National Association of Realtors and the Connecticut Association of Realtors.

While her professional accomplishments are impressive, Joan’s dedication to Albertus has been a defining part of her life. She served on the Albertus Magnus College Board of Trustees from 1999 through 2023, providing more than two decades of leadership and support, and also served as President of both the East Shore and Hartford Chapters of the Albertus Magnus College Alumnae Association. Her service extends beyond Albertus as well, including work with the Guilford Scholarship Association’s Board of Directors and as Past President of Guilford Lioness.

Joan credits her adaptability, her ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, and her belief in strong relationships to her Albertus education. In recognition of her professional achievements, community service, and extraordinary commitment to the College, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 2023 and continues her relationship with Albertus today as a Trustee Emerita. Her lifelong dedication, record of leadership, and professional accomplishments make her an outstanding recipient of the Alumni of the Year (Undergraduate) Award.

James Higgins ’13, ’16 M.B.A., is the 2026 graduate recipient of the Alumni of the Year Award.

Higgins is a respected business leader, community advocate, and proud Albertus Magnus College graduate whose career and personal life reflect an extraordinary commitment to leadership, service, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. As President and CEO of Skyline Financial Federal Credit Union in Waterbury, James has built a reputation for strategic vision, integrity, and a deep commitment to helping individuals, families, and organizations achieve financial stability and success. His commitment to service is rooted in personal experience: having grown up in a family affected by substance abuse and addiction, James petitioned for guardianship of his younger siblings while still in his late teens and early twenties. Years later, he became a licensed foster parent, and since 2018 has welcomed 28 foster children into his home, adopting or taking guardianship of seven.

That same commitment to helping others shapes James’s professional leadership. Under his direction, Skyline has expanded community-focused initiatives, including programs connecting individuals with government benefits, and has helped finance housing for young adults aging out of the foster care system through the Annie C. Courtney Foundation. For James, these efforts reflect a simple philosophy: "We have to be the people we needed when we were younger."

Beyond his professional accomplishments, James remains deeply involved in the Greater Waterbury community and his alma mater, serving as an advisory board member for the College’s Tagliatela School of Business and Leadership and chairing organizations including the Naugatuck Finance Board and Jane Doe No More. He also teaches at Post University and has joined the Albertus faculty this fall. Whether in the boardroom, the classroom, or at home, James exemplifies the service, generosity, and leadership that the Alumni of the Year (Graduate) Award seeks to recognize.

Dr. Julia Nucolo ’17 is the 2026 recipient of the Premier Achievement Award.

Since graduating from Albertus Magnus College, Nucolo has built an accomplished career dedicated to improving the educational and mental health outcomes of children and their families. She earned her doctoral degree in School Psychology from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has gained extensive experience across a variety of educational and clinical settings, including schools, after-school programs, literacy initiatives, outpatient psychology clinics, and psychiatric hospitals.

Throughout her career, Julia’s work has focused on supporting children and families while promoting educational success, social-emotional well-being, and access to quality mental health services, including through summer reading initiatives and literacy coaching programs. She is also passionate about mentoring the next generation of school psychologists, supervising interns and helping students develop the clinical and professional skills needed to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.

Today, Julia serves New Haven Public Schools, where she continues to champion educational excellence and student well-being. Her career reflects the values instilled during her time at Albertus Magnus College, exemplifying the Dominican pillars of study, prayer, community, and service, making her a distinguished alumna and an outstanding recipient of the Premier Achievement Award.

Founded in 1925, Albertus is a coeducational Catholic College in the Dominican tradition. Albertus’ values- and liberal arts-based education is recognized by external rankings such as US News & World Report, Money, and The New York Times, and has been named a Top 10 Military Friendly School. For ten consecutive years, at least 95% of Albertus graduates have attained employment or entered graduate studies within six months of completing their degrees. The College enrolls approximately 1,400 students across its traditional undergraduate, accelerated adult undergraduate, and graduate programs. Albertus Magnus College takes pride in a student body where nearly half of undergraduates are first-generation students and Pell Grant recipients. The College is recognized for its innovative curricula, featuring programs in General Health Sciences and Public Health, as well as its newest offerings: a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Connecticut’s first LPN-to-BSN program. Among its distinctive graduate offerings are Masters in Healthcare Administration, Public Administration, MBA, and the State of Connecticut’s only Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program.

As it begins a second century, Albertus is implementing a new strategic plan, The Centennial Plan: Crossing the Bridge to a Second Century, that advances its bold vision as a resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking Catholic institution in the Dominican tradition. Grounded in the liberal arts and the Dominican Pillars of Study, Prayer, Community, and Service, the College prepares students to think critically, lead ethically, and thrive through innovative, immersive learning experiences that empower them to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond. To learn more, please visit albertus.edu.