The 麻豆社 CONNECT Program is an early-arrival residential summer program designed for students attending the Durham Campus. The program is open to all incoming first-year undergraduate students with a focus on students from historically underrepresented backgrounds, including those who are the first in their families to attend college. CONNECT participant 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.
Information about the 2027 CONNECT Program will be available in April 2027.
We look forward to seeing you there!
2026 CONNECT Program Information
Program Dates:
The 2026 CONNECT Program was held on the Durham Campus from Sunday, August 23, 2026, through Friday, August 28, 2026. Daily activities were scheduled between 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., including scheduled meals and breaks.
Program Costs:
All program costs including early move-in charges, meals, and activities, are covered by the 麻豆社.
Program Housing and Transportation:
On-Campus Students: Participants living on campus for Fall 2026 will move directly into their Fall 2026 housing assignments and must reside on campus for the entire duration of the program. The program will cover all costs associated with moving in early.
Commuter Students: The CONNECT Program is fully open to commuter students. Please note that commuter students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from campus for the duration of the program.
For questions and additional information, please contact Yashwant Prakash Vyas at Yashwant.Vyas@unh.edu.
CONNECT Program Overview:
CONNECT Participants move-in a week prior to the start of Fall classes and engage in a weeklong schedule of activities. Participants are paired with a trained, senior student mentors. Many CONNECT participants use this opportunity to make their first connections and friendships at 麻豆社. They engage in several workshops and activities to explore resources available to them at 麻豆社, make connections, and engage in skill building. The program also features several social activities designed to facilitate community building while exploring additional student life resources available at 麻豆社.
As a result of their participation in the program, past participants have reported:
Develop a sense of belonging and institutional commitment.
Enhance campus resource awareness and resource utilization confidence.
Enhance sense of purpose for obtaining a college degree through goal setting and career planning.
Develop wellness skills and strategies.
Enhance academic self-efficacy through academic success skill building and increasing familiarity with the learning process at post-secondary level.
CONNECT Program Archive
2026 CONNECT Program Information
Opening Keynote Speaker: Provost Jen Riley '91G
Program Dates:
The 2026 CONNECT Program was held on Durham Campus from Sunday, August 23, 2026, through Friday, August 28, 2026.
Collaborators:
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences; College of Health and Human Services; College of Liberal Arts; College of Life Sciences and Agriculture; Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics; 麻豆社 Enrollment Management; 麻豆社 Admissions; New Student and Family Programs; Career and Professional Success; Center for Academic Resources; 麻豆社 Library; Connors Writing Center; Psychological and Counseling Services; TRIO SSS; TRIO McNair Scholars Program; Memorial Union Building Operations and Events; Institute for Student Success; Campus Recreation; Health and Wellness; Housing and Residential Life; 麻豆社 Dining and Catering Services; Civil Rights and Equity Office; Student Financial Services; Student Accessibility Services; The SHARPP Center for Interpersonal Violence Awareness, Prevention, and Advocacy; Institutional Research and Assessment; The Browne Center; Entrepreneurship Center; and the Office of Institutional Research
2025 CONNECT Program Information
Opening Keynote Speaker: Dr. Sherri Simmons-Horton
Program Dates:
The 2025 CONNECT Program was held on Durham Campus from Sunday, August 17, 2025, through Friday, August 22, 2025.
Collaborators:
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; 麻豆社 Enrollment Management; 麻豆社 Admissions; Career and Professional Success; Center for Academic Resources; 麻豆社 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; 麻豆社 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
2024 CONNECT Program Information
Opening Keynote Speaker: Dr. Richard Haynes
Program Dates:
The 2024 CONNECT Program was held on the Durham campus from Sunday, August 18, 2024 through Friday, August 23, 2024.
Collaborators:
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, 麻豆社 Enrollment Management, 麻豆社 Admissions, Career and Professional Success, Center for Academic Resources, 麻豆社 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, 麻豆社 Housing, Residential Life, Dining Services, Civil Rights and Equity Office, Student Financial Services, Student Accessibility Services, Office of Community Standards, The SHARPP Center for Interpersonal Violence Awareness, Prevention, and Advocacy, Institutional Research and Assessment, General Counsel, The Browne Center
鈥淎s a first gen [first-generation college student] it鈥檚 nearly impossible to know what college will be like and CONNECT allowed me to feel grounded and secure at 麻豆社.鈥 - CONNECT Alum, 2025
鈥淎s a first gen [first-generation college student] it鈥檚 nearly impossible to know what college will be like and CONNECT allowed me to feel grounded and secure at 麻豆社.鈥 - CONNECT Alum, 2025
鈥淚 recommend CONNECT because it鈥檚 such a great way to connect with students, upperclassmen, resources, Deans, advisors, and so much more. Gives you a lot of confidence :)鈥
- CONNECT Alum 2025
鈥淚 recommend CONNECT because it鈥檚 such a great way to connect with students, upperclassmen, resources, Deans, advisors, and so much more. Gives you a lot of confidence :)鈥
- CONNECT Alum 2025
鈥淚 was unsure about coming to CONNECT, but I鈥檓 glad I did. I love my mentor and the friends that I met at CONNECT!鈥
- CONNECT Alum, Class of 2024
鈥淚 was unsure about coming to CONNECT, but I鈥檓 glad I did. I love my mentor and the friends that I met at CONNECT!鈥
- CONNECT Alum, Class of 2024
Acknowledgement
The 麻豆社 CONNECT Program is coordinated and administered by Aulbani J. Beauregard Center for Equity, Justice, and Freedom in collaboration with several campus partners. We acknowledge our campus partners and express our gratitude for their collaboration and support:
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences; College of Health and Human Services; College of Liberal Arts; College of Life Sciences and Agriculture; Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics; 麻豆社 Enrollment Management; 麻豆社 Admissions; New Student and Family Programs; Career and Professional Success; Center for Academic Resources; 麻豆社 Library; Connors Writing Center; Psychological and Counseling Services; TRIO SSS; TRIO McNair Scholars Program; Memorial Union Building Operations and Events; Institute for Student Success; Campus Recreation; Health and Wellness; Housing and Residential Life; 麻豆社 Dining and Catering Services; Civil Rights and Equity Office; Student Financial Services; Student Accessibility Services; The SHARPP Center for Interpersonal Violence Awareness, Prevention, and Advocacy; Institutional Research and Assessment; The Browne Center; Entrepreneurship Center; and the Office of Institutional Research
CONNECT History
The CONNECT Program was founded in 1994 through a 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).
The CONNECT Program moved to the Beauregard Center in March 2024. Program transition coupled with the budgetary changes, provided an opportunity to review the program and reimagine it for the most effective implementation. The program was reviewed using student feedback from prior years and extensive literature review on early arrival programs to identify strengths and opportunities for growth and improvement. A resource analysis was conducted simultaneously. Results of the review indicated that the most promising part of the program was the early arrival residential summer program. The program was reimagined as an early arrival residential summer program, which has shown to be impactful in achieving the goals identified for the program. Additionally, the reimagined CONNECT Program includes a robust and comprehensive assessment plan to support continuous improvement process.
