Eastern Connecticut State University

Eastern Connecticut State University's newly developed Peer Educators Advocating for Campus Empowerment (PEACE) program has spent the fall 2021 semester promoting inclusion and diversity on campus. Founded by the Arthur L. Johnson Unity Wing, the educational program empowers student leaders to influence the campus culture.

Eastern Connecticut State University student Colleen Goff of Waterbury is one of only four college students statewide selected to be a Connecticut Student Touring Poet in the 2021-22 Connecticut Poetry Circuit. Each year, a panel of judges selects a handful of college student poets to tour the circuit, which hosts readings at universities and organizations across the state.

Eastern Connecticut State University students Alexa Franchetti and Madeleine McGee were recognized as Outstanding Future Professionals by the Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CTAHPERD) at its annual conference on Nov. 18 and 19.

The Student Activities Office at Eastern Connecticut State University recently concluded its fall session of the LEAP leadership program. Standing for "Learn, Explore, Achieve, Perform," the program is designed to help students develop their leadership skills through a variety of workshops. This semester's session trained thirteen students.

Many Eastern Connecticut State University students are spending their fall 2021 semesters working as interns for a multitude of organizations. Interning in fields related to their majors, students are receiving real-world training to prepare them for their future careers.

Eastern Connecticut State University's men's and women's basketball teams are amid their 2021 seasons. Both teams have 15 players.

Two biology students from Eastern Connecticut State University presented at the 85th Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Section of the American Society of Plant Biologists (NE-ASPB), held virtually on Oct. 30.

Eastern Connecticut State University student Connor Pollick of is interning with the Willimantic Police Department as part of the Social Work and Law Enforcement (SWLE) Project. The statewide initiative is training social work students from five universities to work with four police departments across Connecticut. The initiative is being spearheaded by Eastern's Social Work Program and Willimantic Police Department.

Eastern Connecticut State University student Erin Raymond was an organizer and performer in the 20th Annual 5x5 Dance Festival on Nov. 6. Raymond served as an intern and aslo performed with a group of Eastern dancers at the festival, which occured at the University of Saint Joseph's (USJ) Autorino Center for the Arts and Humanities.

The men's and women's swimming teams at Eastern Connecticut State University are amid their fall 2021 seasons.

Three Eastern Connecticut State University students have been hired as peer mentors for the "Beyond the Curriculum: A Learning Community for Success" program. Funded with a $650,000 grant by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the "Success Scholars" program is designed to support lower-income students who are pursuing science-related careers. The peer mentors are working closely with the first cohort of Success Scholars.

Eastern Connecticut State University's Center for Community Engagement (CCE) has resumed in-person volunteering for the fall 2021 semester. With 14 volunteering programs, the CCE has appointed 12 student leaders to take charge and display the commitment Eastern has in helping the surrounding community.

Eastern Connecticut State University's Theatre Program presented its first production of the fall semester on Oct. 19-24 in the Proscenium Theatre. Directed by Theatre Professor Darcy Parker Bruce, "The Place That Made You" takes audience members through an altered narrative of a famous Bible story.

Eastern Connecticut State University's competitive Honors Program admitted 23 new students this fall 2021 semester.

Eight students from Eastern Connecticut State University worked with Discovering Amistad this September and October, teaching Hartford-area middle and high school students about the famed revolt of The Amistad. For the "Amistad Journey to Freedom" program, Eastern students told of the ship's historic rebellion and helped to connect it to contemporary social and racial issues.

Eastern Connecticut State University student Samantha Warshauer '22 performed at Carnegie Hall on Oct. 9 in a benefit concert for the non-profit organization Music for Change, which promotes diversity and inclusivity in music and theatre.

Eastern Connecticut State University's Office of Housing and Residential Life has hired 63 resident assistants (RAs) for the 2021-22 academic year. The RAs oversee 14 residential buildings as the work to provide programming and foster community among student residents.

Eastern Connecticut State University has enrolled more than 1,100 new students in the fall 2021 semester. The new admits include approximately 820 first-year students and nearly 300 transfer students who are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate level programs.

Eastern Connecticut State University recently released its Dean's List for the summer 2021 session.

Thirty student athletes are competing on Eastern Connecticut State University's men's soccer team this fall 2021 season.

Eighty students from Eastern Connecticut State University received their undergraduate diplomas in summer 2021.

Thirty-two student athletes are competing on Eastern Connecticut State University's women's soccer team this fall 2021 season.

Sixteen student athletes are competing on Eastern Connecticut State University's women's volleyball team this fall 2021 season.

Eleven student athletes are competing on Eastern Connecticut State University's women's cross-country team this fall 2021 season.

Twenty-six student athletes are competing on Eastern Connecticut State University's field hockey team this fall 2021 season.

Nine student athletes are running on Eastern Connecticut State University's men's cross-country team this fall 2021.

Eastern Connecticut State University students are gaining real-world experience this summer as interns working with a variety of companies. From small businesses to major corporations, museums to sports leagues, students are working in hybrid, remote and on-ground environments as they fulfill a range of functions, including video production, community outreach, IT support and more.

Two Eastern Connecticut State University biology students presented research to the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) during its 2021 Virtual Worldwide Summit held July 19-23.

Psychology student Sierra Nastasi presented on the personality traits associated with mate guarding at the annual conference of the Human Behavior and Evolution Society (HBES) on June 25. Titled "Dark Triad Personality Traits Are Better Than Big 5 Traits at Predicting Mate Guarding and Mate Retention Behaviors in Men," Nastasi was the primary author of the presentation, with the overall Eastern research project led by Psychology Professor Alita Cousins.

Eastern Connecticut State University music student Samantha Warshauer is midway through an intensive five-week opera training program by the name of La Musica Lirica, which runs from June 21-July 23. Traditionally held in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, the program has relocated to the Al. Ringling Theatre in Wisconsin due to the pandemic.