CONNECT is an early-arrival residential summer program with a focus on incoming first-year students with historically underrepresented backgrounds, including those who are first in their families to attend college. CONNECT participants move in early into on-campus housing, get matched with a trained and experienced peer mentor, explore student resources, and engage in interactive learning, skill building, and social activities. Program costs, including on-campus housing, meals, and activities, are covered by the University of New Hampshire.
As a result of participating in the CONNECT program, students will develop:
- A sense of purpose for obtaining a college degree (sense of purpose for degree, student identity centrality, degree commitment, institutional commitment)
- A sense of belonging at UNH (identification with the university, social match, social acceptance, social support, cultural capital in higher education)
- Experience with the college learning process (familiarity with UNH student resources, academic advising, communication with professors, understanding syllabi)
- Academic Skills (time management, note-taking, exam preparation).
- Wellness Skills (connection of physical and mental wellbeing with Academic Success, evaluating mental well-being, strategies for stress or anxiety).
Why Join Connect?
Move in early and make new friends!
Explore UNH and beyond!
Get matched with a peer mentor!
Build a supportive community of peers, faculty, and staff!
"My best friends to this day are the ones I made in CONNECT.” - CONNECT Alum, Class of 2018
"My best friends to this day are the ones I made in CONNECT.” - CONNECT Alum, Class of 2018
“A place of love and fellowship where you get to experience the comfort of a community that wants you and cares about your academic achievement—that is what CONNECT means to me.”
- CONNECT Alum, Class of 2020
“A place of love and fellowship where you get to experience the comfort of a community that wants you and cares about your academic achievement—that is what CONNECT means to me.” - CONNECT Alum, Class of 2020
“I feel confident that I have a great support system that will help me, not only through my first year at UNH, but all four years.”
- CONNECT Alum, Class of 2024
“I feel confident that I have a great support system that will help me, not only through my first year at UNH, but all four years.”
- CONNECT Alum, Class of 2024
History of CONNECT
The CONNECT Program was founded in 1994 through a joint partnership with the Diversity Support Coalition (DSC), the late Dr. Roger M. Beattie (Special Assistant to the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management), and Dr. Judy Spiller (Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Support Services).
In March 2024, The CONNECT Program moved to the Beauregard Center. Program transition coupled with the budgetary changes, provided an opportunity to review the program and reimagine it for the most effective implementation as an early arrival program. It was essential that the re-imagined program be evidence-based and data-informed. We presented the results of the program review and the vision for the program to campus leadership and partners in April 2024, which was well received.
The newly developed CONNECT program includes a robust and comprehensive assessment plan to evaluate program effectiveness. By collecting feedback data from participating UNH staff members, CONNECT student mentors, and CONNECT student participants, Beauregard Center staff can engage in a continuous improvement process. In addition, by requesting student participants to complete pre and post-evaluations, we are able to measure the impact of the program. Furthermore, we are collaborating with academic colleges to develop a common interdisciplinary mini-course in alignment with the program goals, which will be implemented in CONNECT 2025.
Acknowledgement
We acknowledge our campus partners and express our gratitude for their collaboration and support:
Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics; College of Engineering and Physical Sciences; College of Health and Human Services; College of Liberal Arts; College of Life Sciences and Agriculture; Hamel Honors and Scholars College; UNH Enrollment Management; UNH Admissions; Career and Professional Success; Center for Academic Resources; UNH Library; Connors Writing Center; New Student and Family Programs; Psychological and Counseling Services; TRIO Scholars; Educational Talent Search; Memorial Union and Student Activities; Institute for Student Success; Campus Recreation; Health and Wellness; UNH Housing; Residential Life; Dining Services; Civil Rights and Equity Office; Student Financial Services; Student Accessibility Services; Office of Community Standards; The SHARPP Center; Institutional Research and Assessment; General Counsel; The Browne Center
