Meet The Staff

Karen DeBari

Veterans’ Mentor | English Instructor

Karen DeBari has been an English adjunct professor at Tunxis for many years. She is also known for her role as student Veterans’ Mentor and OASIS Coordinator. Karen has fundraised and received thousands of dollars in donations, on behalf of the OASIS initiative. She is well known for making herself available to listen to student veteran concerns in a caring and nonjudgmental way and offering support for a healthy acclimation from military to civilian life. She goes above and beyond to help veterans select classes, apply for scholarships and graduate. She has also brought in job placement specialists and has an extensive network of outside resources available to help students manage challenges they may confront in their daily lives.  You can find Karen at the OASIS.  She looks forward to meeting you.  Please stop by for a visit.  She can be reached at [email protected].

Helen Lozada

Certifying Official for Educational Benefits

Helen Lozada is the certifying official for education benefits. Call 860.773.1516 or email [email protected].

As Enrollment Management Specialist, I play many roles; Academic advisor, Veteran’s advisor and certifying official, financial aid administrator and advisor to the campus Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa. My dad served in the Korean War as part of the Royal Canadian Army.

I have served as acting associate director of financial aid, and as of September 2017 was promoted to Enrollment Management Specialist. In December of 2017, I was appointed the new Veterans Certifying Official. The easiest way to reach me is by email at [email protected]. I’m typically in my office in the academic advising area from 10 AM until close. Come find me!