Howard Hughes Medical Institute Awards UConn $505,000 Grant

STORRS, CT — The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has awarded the University of Connecticut $505,000 grant that will fund a study of "transformative strategies to advance inclusive learning experiences for students and enhance student belonging."

UConn officials said the HHMI invited select colleges and universities in the United States to "build their capacity substantially and sustainably to advance student belonging, especially for those who have been historically excluded from the sciences."

Lack of diversity is most notable, but not limited, to the STEM fields, school officials said.

The financial value of the grant for UConn is over a six-year period.

The UConn team that prepared the school’s proposal include Martina Rosenberg, Director of Teaching and Learning Assessment at the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL); Andrew Moiseff, a professor of physiology and neurobiology and Associate Dean for Behavioral and Life Sciences; a professor-in-residence and Director of Undergraduate Studies Xinnian Chen; and Associate Vice Provost Peter Diplock of CETL.

One goal is to "understand inclusivity around teaching and learning as well as instructor professional development."

See more about the grant at the UConn Today site.