ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY

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ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY

Connecticut College was founded more than a century ago to expand access to higher education. Today, the College’s strategic plan—Building on Strength—commits to “enhance resources to enroll and retain students from historically underrepresented groups,” an indication that our foundational values remain firmly in place. This action plan prioritizes an equity-minded focus on increasing student access and opportunity to ensure that our student population reflects the demographics of the broader society for the next 100 years and beyond.

4.1.

Increase enrollment of students from historically underrepresented groups

4.1.1. (a)

Significantly increase proportion of native and indigenous students by: (a) building upon successful partnerships established with the Eastern Pequot, Mashantucket Pequot, and Mohegan Tribal Nations

Complete/Ongoing

Established the Re-Indigenize this Place coalition, developing partnerships with the Mashantucket Pequot, Eastern Pequot, and Mohegan tribes.

Developed partnership with Akomawt Education Initiative

Consulted tribal nations on development of a Land Acknowledgement statement to be used at all major campus events.

4.1.1 (b)

Significantly increase proportion of native and indigenous students by: (b) establishing a partnership with the College Horizons national organization

Planning

4.1.1. (c)

Significantly increase proportion of native and indigenous students by: (c) establishing a full-tuition scholarship for admitted native students

Planning

4.1.2. (a)

Increase proportion of international students and domestic students of color by: (a) continuously enhancing diversity outreach and recruitment efforts

Complete/Ongoing

Developed comprehensive multicultural recruitment plan.

Incorporated additional identity-based dialogue into fall and spring campus visitation programs (Explore and Spring Connections).

4.1.2. (b)

Increase proportion of international students and domestic students of color by: (b) establishing strategic partnerships with community-based organizations in new regions

Ongoing

Developed new partnership with Urban Assembly Applied Math and Science high school (NYC) including transitional support for admits.

Developed new partnership with Harlem Lacrosse.

4.1.2. (c)

Increase proportion of international students and domestic students of color by: (c) activating the Connecticut College Alumni of Color (CCAC) network for admissions

Planning

4.1.3.

Expand recruitment of New London students and increase support for the New London cohort

Complete/Ongoing

Developed staff position to design a New London region high school component of Genesis mentoring program

Enhancing support for the New London scholars program.

Piloted NL high school mentoring program as extension of Genesis in Spring 2021.

4.1.4.

Complete expansion of partnership with Posse by launching a second cohort from New York City

Complete/Ongoing

Added NYC cohort of Posse scholars in the 2020-21 academic year.

4.1.5.

Enhance climate for diversity and inclusion in athletics

Complete/Ongoing

Appointed new diversity and inclusion coordinator for the athletic department.

Developing a comprehensive recruitment plan to diversify the coaching staff and student-athlete population.

Students established the Connecticut College Athletes of Color Coalition (CCACC) during the 2020-21 academic year.

4.2.

Ease the financial burden of attendance and full participation for students and families

4.2.1.

Prioritize an increase in financial aid in the College’s comprehensive fundraising campaign

Complete/Ongoing

Designated financial aid as a major goal of the upcoming comprehensive fundraising campaign.

Received the largest gift in the College's history from Rob '88 and Karen Hale, a combined $50 million over five years, with $20 million being allocated for financial aid endowment.

4.2.2.

Develop long-range plan for improving the College’s financial model, including monitoring the comprehensive fee

Complete/Ongoing

Completed external consultation of the College’s financial standing with Accenture.

Established Board of Trustees appointed working group called the Futures Committee to review financial model.

Established new Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees.

4.2.3.

Utilize new affiliation with the American Talent Initiative (ATI) to develop institutional goals for widening access for lower and moderate-income students and families

Complete/Ongoing

Affiliated with ATI in 2018.

Developed institutional goals for widening college access for ATI.

4.2.4.

Identify new funding sources to reduce or eliminate “hidden” costs of attendance and participation (e.g. athletics, clubs) in structural barriers report

Complete/Ongoing

The Dean of the College Office established a student emergency fund with over $90,000 raised to support students during the pandemic.

4.2.5.

Expand and improve opportunities for on-campus student employment

In Progress

Established task force to mitigate the challenges of on-campus student employment.

Student campus employment will be overseen by the Dean of the College division and the Hale Center for Career Development.

4.2.6.

Create a new initiative for developing financial literacy, including credit-bearing courses

In Progress

Developed resources through the ARC for supporting students’ personal financial management.

4.3.

Ensure equitable access to academic opportunities and robust support for success at Conn and beyond

4.3.1.

Conduct thorough study using institutional data to identify any gaps in academic opportunity and/or achievement (e.g. GPAs, internships, study away, scholarships, Centers/Pathways)

Planning

4.3.2.

Strengthen the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) program and expand to include an “Associate Fellows” group for students in non-Mellon fields interested in pursuing graduate or professional school

Planning

4.3.3.

Build upon the success of the Science Leaders program by enhancing and expanding pre-orientation programming and developing new admissions pipelines

Complete/Ongoing

Added senior seminar to the Science Leaders program through support of a grant from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation.

4.3.4.

Explore the feasibility of establishing a McNair Scholars program to prepare underrepresented students for post-graduate study in STEM fields

Complete/Ongoing

Decided against developing a McNair Scholars program.

Submitted HHMI grant proposal to develop initiatives for supporting underrepresented students in STEM.

4.3.5.

Establish Quantitative Skills Center to provide academic support for all students enrolled in STEM courses

Complete/Ongoing

Completed national search for new ARC director who brings expertise in supporting students in quantitative skill development.

Hired new faculty member in biology to provide faculty development on equity pedagogy.

4.3.6.

Establish affinity and identity-based alumni networks to provide career support and foster social connection

Complete/Ongoing

The Connecticut College Alumni of Color (CCAC) network is well established and connected to the work of current students of color.

Developing new position in Advancement focusing on equity and inclusion and supporting affinity based alumni groups.

Dean of Equity and Inclusion

P: 860-439-2035

Mailing Address

Office of the Dean of Equity and Inclusion
Connecticut College
Unity House
New London, CT 06320-4196

Department Assistant

Lynne McCue, Senior Assistant to the Division of Equity and Inclusion
lemcc@conncoll.edu

Campus Location

Unity House

Office Hours

M-F, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Summer Hours

M-F, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.