To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Title IX’s passage this June, the University of Connecticut’s Human Rights Institute, in collaboration with the Neag School of Education Sport Management Program, recently hosted a “Beyond the Field” roundtable discussing the past, present, and future of the landmark gender equity legislation.

Enduring the turmoil of a global pandemic for more than two years now, many of us have struggled. We can recognize the importance of self-care and wellness, but not everyone has necessarily adopted a daily meditation practice or quit their late-night doomscrolling. By now, though, perhaps we can admit to ourselves one thing: It’s OK to not be OK in every moment.

Students in full regalia gathered with their classmates and processed together to hear their names called as they join the great community of graduates stretching all the way back to 1883.

“UConn was a good mix of what my parents wanted and what I wanted. My parents wanted high-ranking universities, and I wanted a dedicated education program and was very interested in human rights. After learning this is where the Dodd Center and Neag were located, it was a no-brainer choice for me,” says graduating senior Xinhai “Toby” Wei “22 (ED).

“I chose to come to the University of Connecticut because of the esteemed education program! I have wanted to be a teacher since I was five years old and UConn provided me with the best opportunity to fulfill that dream. Also, I have always loved watching UConn sports, and it felt like a natural fit for me,” says graduating senior Micaela Collins ’22 (ED).

“I chose UConn because from the minute I first stepped on campus, I could feel the energy and love that people have for this university. It was a feeling that made me know I wanted to come to school here. Add to that the spirit for UConn Athletics and the opportunity to get involved with the Athletics department, and I knew UConn was the right fit,” says graduating senior Noam Watt ’22 (ED).

“I chose UConn because of the amazing environment I first experienced on Admitted Students Day. It was incredible to witness, and I knew that this was my school. I wanted to be a part of a community close, spirited, and engaging community, and this school has provided everything like that for me. This community provided so many different opportunities that allowed me to grow as a leader and person. I have stepped outside of my comfort zone and have been rewarded in the form of many lifelong friendships and memorable experiences. I am so grateful I chose UConn as my school and community for the past four years,” says graduating senior Jessica Wang ’22 (ED).

“I chose UConn because I felt from my first time walking on Campus that UConn was the place for me. In 2017, I remembered I came to Storrs as a high school student to shadow a Husky for the day, and it was a torrential downpour. I was with my mom, and we had no idea how to get to the Student Union from the North Parking Garage. We could barely see the map, and a UConn student went out of her way to stop and ask if we needed help in the pouring rain. This moment illustrates the strong sense of community you feel when you walk onto UConn’s campus. No matter what, there’s always someone to help you if you need it!! The choice to be a part of Husky Nation was the best decision I made in my entire life,” says graduating master’s student Timothy Tamallanca ’20 (ED), 22 MA.

I chose UConn because of the IB/M program that the Neag School offers. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in four years and my master’s degree in one. Basketball is also my favorite sport, and what better than to go to school in the basketball capital of the world,” says graduating master’s student Anamaria Sousa ’20 (ED), ’22 MA.

“I knew that the Neag School of Education had a nationally recognized teacher prep program. Additionally, the special education program is filled with top faculty in their fields of research, and I was so excited to learn from their expertise. Not only did I attend for the academics, but I knew that in Storrs, I could be free to challenge myself through my extracurriculars,” says graduating master’s student Kaitlyn McGuire ’20 (ED), ’22 MA.