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Message of Welcome

Welcome to the University of Connecticut’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice page!  This site will serve as the University’s central hub for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) information and initiatives.  It will provide resources, opportunities for engagement, and celebrations of the many diverse communities who call UConn “home.”

UConn is committed to diversity, a crucial part of the University's mission.  We also believe that diversity makes our campuses better places to learn and work and positions UConn as a state, regional, and local leader in education, research, and outreach.  Quite simply, we believe that the diversity of our communities makes UConn stronger.

The important transformational work related to DEIJ will only be successful if the University has buy-in and input from our entire community; no singular department or unit can do this work on its own.  This website provides an entry point for every member of the UConn community – whether a student, alumni, staff, faculty, or a member of the surrounding communities, we invite you to join in this important work with us.  Together, we can improve the UConn experience for every member of our community.

Mission Statement

The University of Connecticut is committed to building a safe and inclusive community for all its members through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Under the guidance of the Interim Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Jeffrey Hines, we as members of the UConn community aim to listen, reflect, learn, and act to make our community safe and a place of belonging for all. We aim to support diversity, equity, and inclusion through offering support for success for people of all backgrounds.

Land Acknowledgement

We would like to begin by acknowledging that the land on which we gather is the territory of the Eastern Pequot, Golden Hill Paugussett, Lenape, Mashantucket Pequot, Mohegan, Nipmuc and Schaghticoke Peoples who have stewarded this land throughout the generations. We thank them for their strength and resilience in protecting this land, and aspire to uphold our responsibilities according to their example.

Pronunciations: Eastern Pequot (Pea-kwaht); Golden Hill Paugussett (paw-GUS-it); Lenape (Leh-NAH-pay); Mashantucket Pequot (Mash-un-tuck-it Pea-kwaht);  Mohegan (Mo-he-gan); Nipmuc (Nip-muck); Schaghticoke (ska-teh-COKE)

Statements

March 2025 Heritage Celebrations

March 3, 2025

To the UConn Community: The Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Provost’s Office would like to remind you of several celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness for members of our community during the month of March: Heritage Month Celebrations: Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month: The United States has observed Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month every March since 1987. Led […]

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February 2025 Heritage Celebrations

February 3, 2025

To the UConn Community: The Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Provost’s Office would like to remind you of several celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness for members of our community during the month of February:  Heritage Month Celebrations:  Black History Month (February): Black History Month celebrates Black and African American history, culture, achievements, and excellence. It also […]

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January 2025 Heritage Celebrations

January 10, 2025

To the UConn Community: The Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Provost’s Office would like to remind you of several celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness for members of our community during the month of January:   Federal and Cultural Holidays:  New Year’s Day (January 1): This day for celebrating new beginnings was first marked as a federal holiday […]

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Cultural and Federal Holidays:

St. Patrick’s Day (March 17): This cultural and religious holiday is held annually on the traditional death date of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in Ireland for a thousand years but has been celebrated by American parades since 1737. The largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade is held in New York each year.

International Women’s Day (March 8): International Women’s Day is a global holiday celebrating Women’s rights. It celebrates women’s achievements, recognizes the challenges women face, and brings attention to ongoing issues related to gender equity, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse faced by women. The theme for 2025’s International Women’s Day is “Accelerate Action.”

Nowruz | Iranian New Year | Persian New Year (March 20): Nowruz celebrates the beginning of the new year on the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar. It begins on the spring equinox (usually on or around March 20th), which marks the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

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Cultural and Federal Holidays: St. Patrick’s Day (March 17): This cultural and religious holiday is held annually on the traditional death date of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in Ireland for a thousand years but has been celebrated by American parades since 1737. The largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade is held in New York each year. International Women’s Day (March 8): International Women’s Day is a global holiday celebrating Women’s rights. It celebrates women’s achievements, recognizes the challenges women face, and brings attention to ongoing issues related to gender equity, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse faced by women. The theme for 2025’s International Women’s Day is “Accelerate Action.” Nowruz | Iranian New Year | Persian New Year (March 20): Nowruz celebrates the beginning of the new year on the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar. It begins on the spring equinox (usually on or around March 20th), which marks the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

Cultural and Federal Holidays:

St. Patrick’s Day (March 17): This cultural and religious holiday is held annually on the traditional death date of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in Ireland for a thousand years but has been celebrated by American parades since 1737. The largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade is held in New York each year.

International Women’s Day (March 8): International Women’s Day is a global holiday celebrating Women’s rights. It celebrates women’s achievements, recognizes the challenges women face, and brings attention to ongoing issues related to gender equity, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse faced by women. The theme for 2025’s International Women’s Day is “Accelerate Action.”

Nowruz | Iranian New Year | Persian New Year (March 20): Nowruz celebrates the beginning of the new year on the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar. It begins on the spring equinox (usually on or around March 20th), which marks the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. ...

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The Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Provost’s Office would like to remind you of several celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness for members of our community during the month of March:

Heritage Month Celebrations:

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month: The United States has observed Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month every March since 1987. Led by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), this month raises awareness about people who have disabilities that cause an impairment in language, learning, physical body, or behavior.

Greek American Heritage Month: Also known as Hellenic Heritage Month, Greek American Heritage Month takes place in March to coincide with Greek Independence Day on March 25th. This day celebrates the contributions of Greeks and Greek Americans, and honors Greek language and culture.

Irish American Heritage Month: Irish American Heritage Month honors the achievements of Irish immigrants and their descendants in the United States. First celebrated in 1991, it is accompanied by a proclamation from the President of the United States. Irish American Heritage Month is held in March to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day.

Women’s History Month: Thanks to the efforts of the National Women’s History Alliance, March is recognized as Women’s History Month (commemorated at UConn as Women’s Herstory Month). First Celebrated as Women’s History week in 1981, Congress expanded the celebration in 1987 to celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and to recognize specific achievements women have made throughout American history. The theme for 2025’s Women’s History Month is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.”

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The Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Provost’s Office would like to remind you of several celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness for members of our community during the month of March: Heritage Month Celebrations: Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month: The United States has observed Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month every March since 1987. Led by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), this month raises awareness about people who have disabilities that cause an impairment in language, learning, physical body, or behavior. Greek American Heritage Month: Also known as Hellenic Heritage Month, Greek American Heritage Month takes place in March to coincide with Greek Independence Day on March 25th. This day celebrates the contributions of Greeks and Greek Americans, and honors Greek language and culture. Irish American Heritage Month: Irish American Heritage Month honors the achievements of Irish immigrants and their descendants in the United States. First celebrated in 1991, it is accompanied by a proclamation from the President of the United States. Irish American Heritage Month is held in March to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day. Women’s History Month: Thanks to the efforts of the National Women’s History Alliance, March is recognized as Women’s History Month (commemorated at UConn as Women’s Herstory Month). First Celebrated as Women’s History week in 1981, Congress expanded the celebration in 1987 to celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and to recognize specific achievements women have made throughout American history. The theme for 2025’s Women’s History Month is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.”

The Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Provost’s Office would like to remind you of several celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness for members of our community during the month of March:

Heritage Month Celebrations:

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month: The United States has observed Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month every March since 1987. Led by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), this month raises awareness about people who have disabilities that cause an impairment in language, learning, physical body, or behavior.

Greek American Heritage Month: Also known as Hellenic Heritage Month, Greek American Heritage Month takes place in March to coincide with Greek Independence Day on March 25th. This day celebrates the contributions of Greeks and Greek Americans, and honors Greek language and culture.

Irish American Heritage Month: Irish American Heritage Month honors the achievements of Irish immigrants and their descendants in the United States. First celebrated in 1991, it is accompanied by a proclamation from the President of the United States. Irish American Heritage Month is held in March to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day.

Women’s History Month: Thanks to the efforts of the National Women’s History Alliance, March is recognized as Women’s History Month (commemorated at UConn as Women’s Herstory Month). First Celebrated as Women’s History week in 1981, Congress expanded the celebration in 1987 to celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and to recognize specific achievements women have made throughout American history. The theme for 2025’s Women’s History Month is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” ...

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