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Seafood, Sparks & Scholarships Returns

Support Mitchell College students by watching New London’s premier fireworks display—the Mashantucket Pequot Thames River Fireworks Extravaganza— from a private viewing area on Mitchell Beach at Mitchell College’s 2nd Annual Seafood, Sparks & Scholarships on Saturday, July 12.

The event takes place from 5:30–9 p.m. and features a memorable evening outdoors—lawn games and cocktails, a delicious multi-course seafood dinner and dessert, and fireworks over the Thames River (beginning at 9:15 p.m.).

A portion of the proceeds from the event goes to the North Star Scholarship Fund, helping Mitchell students discover their brilliance and reach their goals during college and beyond.

Last year’s event sold out, so buy tickets now! 

$85 per guest includes:

  • Reserved parking
  • Private, tented event
  • Deck overlooking the Thames River
  • Seafood dinner and dessert
  • One free signature cocktail, plus cash bar
  • Private fireworks viewing from Mitchell Beach

 

The last day to purchase tickets is July 2. For more information and to register, go here.

 

Middle School Healthcare Academy Program Launches Summer 2025

Mitchell College invites New London County residents entering grades 6–9, with an interest in science, health, and wellness, to enroll in a summer program on campus, July 7–18.

HCA Rising, a pre-academy program designed to foster an early interest in healthcare fields, is part of the Mitchell College Healthcare Academy (HCA) for New London County high school students.

HCA Rising offers middle school students an opportunity to explore the connection between STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) and healthcare careers through fun and engaging activities:

  • Hands-on science experiments
  • Fun physical activities like dance, theater, and athletics
  • Field trips to Mitchell Woods and Mitchell Beach
  • Small group sizes for personalized learning
  • Engaging weekly themes like ‘Sensory Science: The Five Senses & Environmental Science & Wellness’

 

Mitchell College is committed to addressing our state’s workforce needs and diversifying the healthcare employment pipeline, and to making education more accessible while serving the needs of our community. As part of this effort, the HCA will provide students with unique opportunities to learn about pathways to healthcare careers, including Mitchell’s new Nursing program leading to a BSN.

Students can enroll in HSA Rising for one or two weeks for $100 per week, July 7–11, July 14–18, or both. Aftercare is available for a nominal fee. Deadline to register extended to June 30, 2025.

For details and registration visit Mitchell.edu/Healthcare-Academy.

 

Eversource’s Hopkins-Staten to be Commencement Speaker; Braxton Receives Honorary Degree

Mitchell College marks its 81st Commencement Exercises for 101 graduates on Saturday, May 17, at 10 a.m. on the Mitchell College Green. Theresa Hopkins-Staten, president of Eversource Energy Foundation and vice president of corporate citizenship and equity at Eversource, will deliver the keynote address. Lonnie Braxton II, retired senior assistant state’s attorney for the State of Connecticut, will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws.

Mitchell College President Dr. Tracy Y. Espy said, “We are truly honored to welcome two community leaders to our Commencement. Both will inspire our graduates as the class decides how to shape their own futures to positively impact the world. Theresa Hopkins-Staten, our Commencement speaker, brings remarkable professional accomplishments, strong leadership, and unwavering dedication to community service. Lonnie Braxton will receive an honorary degree for his contributions to the community, through distinguished service to the Division of Criminal Justice for the State of Connecticut, as historian of the Civil Rights Movement and American history, and as an active board member of several New London organizations.”

The Eversource Energy Foundation invests in initiatives and organizations aligned with the foundation’s focus on building a healthier, more sustainable and equitable future for customers and communities. In 2024 the independent philanthropic organization awarded $7 million in grants and sponsorships to more than 700 organizations.

Hopkins-Staten also leads Eversource’s enterprise-wide efforts driving foundational understanding to ensure stronger equity, accountability, inclusion, and fairness by employees in their daily practices and interactions with customers and communities.

She has received numerous recognitions and awards: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut 2025 Visionary Leader Award, 2024 Women for Whittier award, 2018 Connecticut Bar Association Citizen of the Law Award, Inaugural 100 Women of Color Award, Greater Hartford NAACP Queens Gala Award, University of Connecticut Alumni Association Service and Inaugural Diversity Alumni Awards, Urban League of Southern Connecticut African American Woman of Distinction, Connecticut Valley Girl Scouts Woman of Merit Award, Hartford Business Journal Remarkable Women in Business Award, Allstate Insurance Sankofa Award, and the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Community Service Award. In addition, her photograph was included in a “Gallery of Pioneers” honoring alumni for their community service and professional achievements.

Hopkins-Staten graduated from the University of Connecticut with a B.A. in Sociology, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. In addition, she earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law and received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree (Ph.D.) from Goodwin University.

Braxton, who grew up in Mississippi, served as a Naval Reservist before graduating from Connecticut College and the University of Connecticut School of Law. He worked for nearly 30 years as a senior assistant state’s attorney for the State of Connecticut. A noted historian of African American and civil rights history, he has lectured extensively and for 19 years has hosted an African American Film Festival at the New London Public Library, where he also displays historical African American memorabilia from his private collection. He has served on numerous boards, currently the Lyman Allyn Art Museum Board of Directors, the New London Public Library, New London Landmarks, and SCADD (Southeastern Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.). He is also a lifetime member of the NAACP, the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, and is a past president of the New London branch.

 

Theresa Hopkins-Staten

Theresa Hopkins-Staten gives the keynote address for Mitchell College’s 81st Commencement Exercises.

Lonnie Braxton II

Lonnie Braxton II receives an honorary Doctor of Laws.

Mitchell Partners with New Haven Promise

Mitchell College is launching a scholarship in partnership with New Haven Promise, a scholarship and support program, making four years of college more affordable for soon-to-be high school graduates living in New Haven. The Mitchell New Haven Promise Scholarship offers New Haven resident students $19,000 per year from Mitchell College and up to $5,000 per year from New Haven Promise, plus an opportunity for on-campus employment during the scholarship program. Students are required to live on campus and actively participate in Mitchell’s community outreach throughout their college experience.

Dr. Tracy Y. Espy, Mitchell College president, said, “By making college more affordable through the Mitchell New Haven Promise Scholarship, students are empowered to pursue their academic and professional dreams. The convenience of on-campus living provides students with greater opportunities to engage with the community and have access to resources. We are excited to welcome more New Haven residents to our Mitchell Mariner community through this program.”

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must attend New Haven Public Schools or approved charter schools in New Haven continuously for at least grades 9 through 12. Students must also meet eligibility requirements for attendance and disciplinary record, GPA, and community service.

To request an application, or for more information, contact admissions@mitchell.edu or call 860-701-5037.

Mitchell’s ‘Understanding Neurodiversity’ Course Expands Perspectives

Mitchell’s ‘Understanding Neurodiversity’ Course Expands Perspectives

With the terms ‘neurodiversity’ and ‘neurodivergence’ gaining prominence in conversations today, Dr. Nancy Parent’s Introduction to Neurodiversity course offers a comprehensive overview of the concepts to her students. Her class examines the meaning of neurodiversity—or the naturally occurring differences in human cognitive function—and looks at the term’s history, its place in disability rights movements and legislation, and its societal presence in education, work, popular culture, and personal relationships.

“This course was originally developed by Sarah E. Silverman, an educator and independent faculty developer who led a professional development event for Mitchell faculty. The course has evolved to support the General Education program and provides students the opportunity to critically examine the language and significance of neurodiversity and apply their learning to their lived experience, school environment, and future workplace,” Parent said.

The term ‘neurodiversity’ encompasses the full spectrum of brain differences‚ including both neurotypical and neurodivergent people. Neurodivergent, the opposite of neurotypical (considered to be “normal” or standard), includes neurological conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others. About one-third of students at Mitchell College are neurodivergent.

As part of the coursework, which was introduced in Fall 2024, Parent said students engage in an interview assignment where they learn about attitudes, perceptions, and experiences with neurodiversity at Mitchell College. Additional coursework focuses on representations of neurodivergence in media and culture, stigma and stereotypes, and narratives from neurodivergent writers and creators. A final class project engages each student in teaching the class what they are passionate about through a deep dive into a topic pertaining to neurodiversity, creating a narrated PowerPoint, podcast, video, or another artistic creation.

Student Perspectives
Student takeaways from the course are as diverse as the topic itself. Julia Stasiowski, a communication major who was diagnosed with autism and ADHD in high school, was empowered to share her personal story as her final project for the class.

“Growing up, I experienced the struggles and discrimination of being undiagnosed, simply because I was different. I felt like I was too ‘weird’ to be ADHD or ‘too ADHD’ before realizing my true self, which is your average AuDHD [autistic, ADHD]. For my final project in this class, I created a comic book to describe the experience I went through. It’s one of the best things that I’ve written,” she said.

She added, “After taking this class, I am more determined to be an activist in the online sphere against pathology and ableist rhetoric. Education about neurodiversity is extra important in this digital age. There is so much misinformation out there, especially about autism, and we need correct information to combat it.”

Jameson Foster, an early childhood education major, said, “Before this course, I had a limited understanding of neurodiversity. I knew of the term and things that could identify people as neurodiverse, but I didn’t really understand all that much about it and the many stigmas.”

She continued, “The course has left me more open-minded and considerate of others and will shape my career as a teacher. Having an understanding will help me understand these differences in children. This is a great course for psychology and education majors, but it can be beneficial to anybody.”

Mitchell College Receives Autism Community Impact Grant

The STAIRs Program (Skills Training, Advancement, and Individual Readiness) at Mitchell College recently received the Autism Community Impact Grant from the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism. The funds support and enhance the “Experience Generation” program, giving participants work opportunities to bolster resumes and build professional networks. Awarded through an application process, the Autism Community Impact Grant historically supports traditionally underserved, underfunded, and culturally diverse communities reflected in the Flutie Foundation’s areas of impact.

The STAIRs Program at Mitchell College provides high-impact, individualized independence and advancement training for neurodivergent individuals who have college experience. Experience Generation will enhance current professional development through part-time, intentionally guided professional experiences (including a small stipend). Participants will work in local nonprofit organizations and within the STAIRs program in the areas of administrative support, communications and promotion, and operations/planning.

“Between 30 and 40% of neurodivergent adults are unemployed, three times higher than other disabled populations and nearly eight times higher than that of the non-disabled population. Experience Generation will equip our participants with resume-boosting skills and experience to become profession-ready, confident job seekers. As they navigate a competitive job market, they can access supportive networks, references, and professional guidance through this program,” said Noah Blocker-Glynn, coordinator of the STAIRs Program.

Nick Savarese, executive director of The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, said, “The Flutie Foundation Autism Community Impact Grant helps our partner agencies address a variety of significant needs in the autism community. Programs like these help people on the autism spectrum live life to the fullest and we are proud to support their efforts.”

Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism

About the Flutie Foundation
Former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie and his wife Laurie started the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism in 1998 after their son Dougie was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Their experience of raising a son with autism inspired them to help others on the challenging journey. Over its history, the Flutie Foundation as distributed over $20 million to schools and organizations who provide clinical therapies, recreational programs, social skills training, and more for people with autism. The Flutie Foundation also provides education technology tools, adaptive camp scholarships, safety equipment, and direct family support through its partnerships and special initiatives.