Community Connections
Some of the offices and programs are highlighted below. For additional information on these and other connections across Connecticut, visit the websites of
Central,
Eastern,
Southern and
Western.
Central
- Institute of Technology and Business Development
CCSU's Institute of Technology and Business Development hosted its first graduating class of the Hispanic Business Start-Up Program. The program, in collaboration with the Spanish Speaking Center of New Britain, has helped New Britain Hispanics start local businesses. In addition, the partners developed Spanish-language courses to assist Latino entrepreneurs.
- Professional Development Schools (PDS)
Professional Development Schools (PDS) are unique university-school collaborations that connect CCSU to local communities to support student achievement. The Naylor-CCSU Community School in Hartford is the strongest and longest-standing, but CCSU has cultivated other PDS's in Cromwell, Wethersfield and Vernon to reach more of Connecticut's children and to provide teacher candidates diversity in their educational experiences.
- University-Museum-Community
The University-Museum-Community (UMC) New Britain Collaborative is an initiative among Central Connecticut State University, the New Britain Museum of Art and the community of New Britain to advance the collaboration between education, art and the community.
- Early College Awareness
The program is a collaboration between CCSU and area elementary/middle schools to show students how today’s schoolwork affects tomorrow’s opportunities. (Includes participation in the Foundation for Excellent Schools (FES) program.)
- ITBD
The program is a collaboration between CSUS and industry leaders to strengthen the State’s economy through business. The Institute of Technology and Business Development hosts executive speakers, offers Hispanic business advisory services and provides business incubation programs
Eastern
- Institute of Sustainable Energy
Staff from ECSU's Institute of Sustainable Energy give lessons about energy conservation to Connecticut schoolchildren. The ISE also operates a website that helps educators teach students about the impact their everyday choices have on the environment.
- Child and Family Development Center
Eastern faculty and the teachers at the Child and Family Development Center share best practices and research outcomes with early childhood professionals, social services, and government agencies dealing with children and family issues. The Center serves 90 families (75 preschoolers and 15 infants and toddlers).
- Child and Family Resource Development Center
The program is a collaboration between ECSU and local area families. Through the CDRFC’s modern teaching facility, graduates learn hands-on problem solving in social services, nutrition, parenting and health/mental issues.
- Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy Initiative
ECSU’s nonprofit leadership and philanthropy initiative is designed to create leaders in the nonprofit sector. The program teaches through a combination of core academic competencies and practical experience via internships, field trips, mentoring programs, service learning and volunteerism.
Southern
- New Haven Science Fair
At SCSU, physics students mentor students from the New Haven public schools. In the 2005-2006 academic year, physics students volunteered 150 hours with kids who needed help participating in the New Haven Science Fair. Ultimately, three young participants received first place awards, and two went on to earn first honors with special awards at the Connecticut State Fair.
- Southern Day of Service
Southern students, faculty and staff volunteer to help clean up the local community during the university's annual Southern Day of Service. This fall, more than 300 people combined to collect and dispose of nearly a dozen tons of trash. It marked the third consecutive year of the program and is a collaborative effort with the New Haven Police Department and the New Haven Parks and Recreation Department. View Southern Day of Service Photos 
- Support Team for Education Progress (STEP)
Social work students from Southern provide assistance to the Support Team for Education Progress (STEP), a New Haven-based organization whose mission is to help turn around the lives of troubled teens. Last spring, 20 undergraduates teamed up with the teens to ask them about their lives and perceptions and share life or career goal experiences. In addition, three graduate students provided one-on-one counseling and helped with the development of their life skills. It marked the second straight year for the partnership between the university and STEP, a state program intended to reduce recidivism and provide a launching point for teens who have served sentences in juvenile prison.
Western
- One Book, One Community
WCSU partners with the Danbury Public Library to promote a common read for incoming first-year students and all the residents of Danbury. "One Book, One Community," offers lectures by the author of the featured book as well as related books and movies, along with activities that reflect the theme of that year's featured book. Learn more
- Community Report Card
Western was the lead agency for a project to create a community report card the health of the region's residents. Working with Danbury Hospital and other health agencies and non-profits, WCSU produced a document that measures economic stability, education, health status of residents, risk factors and diseases. See the report (pdf)
- Building a Bridge to Improve Student Success
For the past six years, Western has been working with local high schools to ensure that every high school senior is prepared for college. The program, called "Building a Bridge to Improve Student Success," has succeeded in dramatically reducing the number of WCSU first-year students who must enroll in remedial math and writing courses. Retention has also increased strongly as the university and high schools move toward including science in the program. Learn More
- Computer Animation Festival
Western Connecticut State University hosts an annual computer animation festival each April sponsored by the WCSU Center for Graphics Research. "Anifest" features computer animation and graphics created by students, faculty members and industry professionals
