UConn DEI Resources

UConn hosts many offices and other resources that are dedicated to the advancement of groups that have been historically underrepresented in STEM. These are listed below, along with their target constituencies as appropriate.

The Office for Diversity and Inclusion is a central hub for diversity issues at UConn, including by compiling resources and hosting events. ODE supports multiple Cultural Centers who represent particular demographic groups and provide specific programming in each area, including many opportunities for community building and mentorship, both as mentors and mentees. These include:

African American Cultural Center

Asian American Cultural Center

Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center

  • Supports multiple culturally- and special interest-based student and Greek organizations

Rainbow Center

Native American Cultural Programs

The Institute for Student Success includes several departments that support students from historically underrepresented groups. These include:

  • The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program supports undergraduate students who are enrolled in STEM fields via dedicated mentoring, training, and other career development activities.
  • The Center for Academic Programs supports first generation, low income, and historically underrepresented students at UConn via several programs, including the McNair Scholars Program (STEM undergraduates, especially those interested in PhD research) and the Student Support Services program (undergraduates).
  • Undergraduate Learning Communities, including several that focus on historically underrepresented groups. These include: the La Comunidad Intelectual Learning Community (Interdisciplinary - Latinx), the ScHOLA2RS House Learning Community (Interdisciplinary - Black males), the WiMSE House Learning Community (STEM - women)
  • The Academic Achievement Center is available to all undergraduate students for academic coaching and other forms of supplemental instruction.
  • The First Year Experience program supports skill-building among first and second year undergraduate students. Some sections of these courses (e.g., UNIV 1820) specifically introduce students to STEM research, focusing especially on demographics who have not otherwise been exposed to such careers.
  • First Generation UConn coordinates resources and events specifically for first-generation undergraduate and graduate students, and coordinates support among faculty and staff who were themselves first-generation students.
  • The UCSTEMinist program supports the career development of women in the STEM fields.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS; of which MCB is a part) has many DEI-related programs, led by a dedicated Associate Dean (currently Katharine Capshaw). CLAS includes several academic units that generate scholarship related to DEI. Non-academic CLAS DEI initiatives that are relevant to MCB include:

The Office of National Scholarships & Fellowships supports the creation and submission of applications to both graduate and undergraduate programs.  Other opportunities for financial aid have been compiled by the Office of Student Financial Aid Services, including resources specifically for graduate students.

The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) sets and enforces policies related to equity and inclusivity at UConn for all students and staff, and is responsible for legal compliance with relevant federal and state legislation. The OIE works in multiple DEI-related areas, including:

Resources for student parents can be found at https://studentparents.uconn.edu/. These include specific resources for graduate and international student parents.

The Graduate School also collates resources to support students with families. The UConn Graduate Employee Union also has a program for childcare reimbursement, as does AAUP (for faculty) and UCPEA (for professional staff).

Numerous student organizations exist to provide social, networking, and advocacy opportunities for specific demographics. A comprehensive list of these is maintained by the UConntact system. Some organizations related to DEI include: