University of Connecticut,
Storrs, CT 06269
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06269
Multicultural Profile
The variety of academic programs available to students has given Uconn an excellent reputation among underrepresented groups due in part to the many extra services we provide to students. For example, the Center for Academic Programs (CAP) is a four year program to support students we have recruited from underrepresented groups. Before entering the University, students participate in a six-week residential summer program designed to acquaint them with University courses and to heighten their opportunities for success.
The Peer Mentoring Program provides freshmen with an older student, perhaps a junior or senior, who has volunteered to help them through their transitional year. The mentors are trusted and experienced students who can be of great help to the new incoming students. The Student Opportunity Access and Retention Program (SOAR) offers paid, full-time cooperative education assignments, part-time campus employment, partial scholarships and paid summer work opportunities to selected freshmen interested in participating in the Cooperative Education Program during their junior or senior year at the University.
The School of Engineering, concerned with the underrepresentation of blacks, Hispanics and American Indians in the engineering disciplines, offers students a Summer Bridge Program. This six week summer program seeks to provide talented incoming freshmen interested in engineering with a variety of academic, personal and career development experiences designed to lead to optimal performance in the demanding environment of the School of Engineering.
The H. Fred Simmons African-American Cultural Center sponsors Black History Month, the popular Mr. & Ms. Black Uconn Pageant, Kwanzaa, forums, films, and concerts relating to black and other issues as well as sponsoring Unity Week, which is the time all African-related cultures come together on a weekend in May.
The Puerto Rican and Latin American Cultural Center is busy with the Hispanic Awareness Month Banquet, Latin Ball, Mr. & Ms. Hispanic UConn Pageant and an active whirl of concerts, dances and more.
Every year the University offers a variety of financial aid to students who demonstrate a need for assistance through the Financial Aid Office. In addition, a number of merit scholarships are available through the Admissions Office for outstanding freshmen and transfer students of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds; the awards are based on academic records and accomplishment.
The Day of Pride Scholarships, awarded annually to top high school seniors, fully cover the cost of a four year UConn education. These awards demonstrate the commitment UConn is making to minority students.
We take pride in our students' successes and when they graduate, they join the proud ranks of some very distinguished UConn alumni, including many people of color such as Franklin Chang-Diaz, Ph.D., first Hispanic Asian American astronaut. His career began with his undergraduate engineering studies at UConn and his participation in our CAP program.