Diversity and Inclusion

Explore the range of diversity and inclusion efforts currently ongoing at the Neag School of Education:

 

Neag School Diversity and Inclusion Plan

Adopted in September 2020, the Neag School’s 2020-25 Diversity and Inclusion Plan asserts the School’s dedication to living out its mission to improve educational and social systems, so they are more effective, equitable, and just for all, while also outlining concrete strategies for accomplishing the School’s goals.

The Neag School applies a broad definition of diversity that includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Visible attributes (age, race, ethnicity, gender, (dis)ability, physical attributes)
  • Invisible attributes (marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, (dis)ability, familial social status, marital status, religious beliefs, political affiliation)
  • Cultural differences (linguistic differences, national origin, life experiences, (dis)ability, veteran status)

 

As part of its diversity and inclusion efforts, the Neag School:

  • Equips and empowers students, faculty, and staff with the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to live, work, and function in a diverse, globally integrated world;
  • Supports educators in making schools and classrooms caring and inclusive learning environments that do not tolerate injustices;
  • Helps educators, policymakers, curriculum developers, and others address concerns of equity and social justice through its production and dissemination of research;
  • Participates in creating an inclusive society by challenging inequities and injustices

Diversity in Teacher Education

Screenshot of AACTE video
Click the image to play AACTE video titled “Focus on Recruiting and Retaining Black and Hispanic-Latino Male Teachers”

Changing the Demographic Makeup of the Teacher Workforce

The Neag School of Education has been selected by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) as one of 10 institutions nationwide to participate in its Networked Improvement Community (NIC), which aims to increase the number of Black and Latino men in teacher preparation and into teaching. Participating institutions commit to increasing the number of young men of color in their teacher education programs by 25% over several years and participate in a networked knowledge-sharing community on effective methods.

Connecticut Minority Teacher Recruitment Committee

Neag School faculty and staff are members of the Connecticut Minority Teacher Recruitment Committee, which seeks to recruit, support and retain students of color into teacher preparation and the Connecticut teacher labor market.

Dean Gladis Kersaint with students, faculty, and staff celebrating L.I.D. and Husky Sport’s first-place showing in an Ignite fundraising campaign.
Dean Gladis Kersaint (third from right) with students, faculty, and staff celebrating L.I.D. and Husky Sport’s first-place showing in an Ignite fundraising campaign.

Project L.I.D.

Project L.I.D. (Leadership In Diversity) is dedicated to providing support for students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in the field of education. The aim is to help close the “lid” around educational equity and equip students with the necessary tools, networks, and information to be competitive, well-rounded future educators.

Public Engagement

Husky Sport

Husky Sport is a community-campus partnership that utilizes the power of sport to connect and empower partners from the city of Hartford and the University of Connecticut.

Jesse Mala with Husky Sport program participants.
Husky Sport mentors lead middle school students in exercise in the gymnasium at the Journalism and Media Academy in Hartford on Jan. 22, 2016. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Since 2003, Husky Sport and its partners have collaborated to identify needs, implement programming, assess progress, and build lasting relationships through intentional programs facilitated in school, after school, and on weekends. Husky Sport has become a trusted partner within Hartford’s North End community.

Together, the Husky Sport community-campus partnership aims to engage youth, families, college students, and partners through shared learning in four key areas of youth development:

  • Nutrition Education
  • Transferable Life Skills
  • Physical Activity
  • Academic Enrichment

Learn more about Husky Sport’s presence in the community and on campus.

UNIV: Teaching for Social Justice

Teaching for social justice is a class that is open to anyone thinking about potentially entering into the field of education as a career. The class explores the impact that teaching has on society as a whole, and the role you may see yourself contributing to this impact as an agent of social change. Contact Neag School academic advisors for more information.

Student Support

Scholarships at the Neag School that focus in part on supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds include the following:

The Herbert and Sarah M. Gibor Charitable Foundation Scholarship Fund

This scholarship supports students enrolled in the Neag School and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with priority consideration given to those who are members of a federally recognized or underrepresented group.

Minority Teacher Incentive Grant Program

The state of Connecticut’s Minority Teacher Incentive Grant Program provides up to $5,000 a year in the senior and master’s year of the IB/M teacher education program. Eligible students can also receive up to $2,500 in yearly stipends for up to four years of teaching in a Connecticut public elementary or secondary school.

Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program

Sushruta Kunnenkeri teaching students at NFA
Sushruta Kunnenkeri ’18 MA, a former Noyce Scholar and a grad of the Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates (TCPCG), leads a science lesson at Norwich Free Academy. Read his story. (Stefanie Dion Jones/Neag School)

The Noyce Scholarship was established for post-baccalaureate students holding STEM degrees who enroll in the Neag School’s accelerated Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates (TCPCG) program and who will be teaching in school districts with high needs.

The Philo T. Pritzkau Scholarship

The Pritzkau Scholarship, established by Philo T. Pritzkau, emeritus faculty member of the Neag School of Education, provides financial support for graduate students enrolled in the School. Priority consideration is given to African American, Hispanic American, and Native American students.

The Steven J. Smith Scholarship Fund

The Steven J. Smith Scholarship Fund, established in honor of Steven J. Smith, retired assistant dean of the Neag School, provides scholarship support to undergraduate students enrolled in the Neag School, with preference for a student in the sport management program and priority consideration given to a student who is a member of a federally recognized underrepresented group and who is an athlete.