Investiture of Tracy Y. Espy, the 8th President of Mitchell College
The Investiture Ceremony for President Tracy Y. Espy, Ph.D., is the perfect time to look toward the future by celebrating what is unique and special in our students — each a distinct facet in the kaleidoscope of learners at Mitchell College. Our differences are our strength, and our students quickly learn that they belong to, and are valued contributors to, the close-knit Mitchell College community, the vibrant New London community that surrounds and welcomes us, and the many communities they belong to beyond our college campus.
Building and serving community has been fundamental to Mitchell College throughout our 85-year history, and this Investiture renews and invigorates our commitment to this service. As we look ahead, the entire Mitchell College community — students, faculty and staff — will be encouraged to seek opportunities for service by supporting each other as individuals, working to achieve the goals and mission of the college and contributing as responsible citizens to the world beyond Mitchell.
Please join us in celebration and commitment to making our communities better places to learn, grow and thrive by leveraging our differences and shared values.
“I view Mitchell College as if through a kaleidoscope. I see vibrant, distinctive parts that overlap, blend and come together in compelling new ways. It is a vision of opportunity and possibility, no matter which way I turn the lens. Our students ARE the kaleidoscope — representing a wide spectrum of diversity in race, gender, class, ethnicity and learning style. Our professors, specialists, coaches and advisors are an essential part of this design — bringing into focus the unique strengths and passions of our learners. Through dedication and empathy, our educators build confidence and inspire personal growth in unexpected ways, teaching students to engage in the world with purpose.” —Tracy Y. Espy, Ph.D.
Why an Investiture Ceremony?
An investiture formally invests a person with honors or rank, while an inaguration marks the beginning of a new system, period or a policy. Since Dr. Espy began her tenure at Mitchell College in 2020 while COVID was requiring social distancing (and thus remote learning and remote work), there was not an opportunity to hold an inauguration, so we are celebrating her now with an investiture ceremony.
During this ceremony Dr. Espy will receive a presidential medallion that symbolizes the authority entrusted in a president.
About the Presidential Medallion
The presidential medallion is a symbol of the authority entrusted in a president. Worn as part of the academic regalia at all formal occasions, this insignia of office prominently features the Mitchell Seal, declaring the president’s dedication to the educational mission and vision of the College.
Why an Investiture Ceremony?
An investiture formally invests a person with honors or rank, while an inaguration marks the beginning of a new system, period or a policy. Since Dr. Espy began her tenure at Mitchell College in 2020 while COVID was requiring social distancing (and thus remote learning and remote work), there was not an opportunity to hold an inauguration, so we are celebrating her now with an investiture ceremony.
During this ceremony Dr. Espy will receive a presidential medallion that symbolizes the authority entrusted in a president.
About the Presidential Medallion
The presidential medallion is a symbol of the authority entrusted in a president. Worn as part of the academic regalia at all formal occasions, this insignia of office prominently features the Mitchell Seal, declaring the president’s dedication to the educational mission and vision of the College.
Biography of Tracy Y. Espy, Ph.D.
Dr. Espy was drawn to Mitchell College’s unique mission to provide access to higher education to a broadly diverse student body while offering unparalleled support and distinctive opportunities for students to uncover their passions and reach their goals.
She is currently engaged with the Governor’s Workforce Council, as well as the Connecticut Higher Ed. Economic and Workforce Development Working Group and serves as a Trustee for the Lyman Allyn Art Museum. She was recently appointed to serve on the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) Advisory Committee of the Council of Independent Colleges and Universities. Shortly after arriving, she completed the year-long Harvard Seminar for New Presidents.
Before coming to Mitchell, Dr. Espy served as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Pfeiffer University in North Carolina from 2008, overseeing all academic programs and divisions and working in various aspects of university administration such as enrollment management, strategic planning and fundraising. Prior to this role, she was vice president for servant leadership and oversaw the Francis Center for Servant Leadership, establishing more than 100 community partnerships, along with university-wide servant-leadership initiatives, earning the university a Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation, as well as the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
In April 2019, Espy received the national Zenobia L. Hikes Faculty Women of Color Award at Virginia Tech University. The award honored her accomplishment in improving faculty salaries and institutional diversity at Pfeiffer University.
Dr. Espy holds a Ph.D. in Child/Family-Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University, an M.S. in Family Studies from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and a B.A. from Berea College, Berea, Kentucky. Her teaching and research expertise include systemic theory, ethnic identity and self-esteem, servant leadership, service-learning and student engagement.
Tracy Y. Espy, Ph.D.
Dr. Espy was drawn to Mitchell College’s unique mission to provide access to higher education to a broadly diverse student body while offering unparalleled support and distinctive opportunities for students to uncover their passions and reach their goals.
She is currently engaged with the Governor’s Workforce Council, as well as the Connecticut Higher Ed. Economic and Workforce Development Working Group and serves as a Trustee for the Lyman Allyn Art Museum. She was recently appointed to serve on the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) Advisory Committee of the Council of Independent Colleges and Universities. Shortly after arriving, she completed the year-long Harvard Seminar for New Presidents.
Before coming to Mitchell, Dr. Espy served as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Pfeiffer University in North Carolina from 2008, overseeing all academic programs and divisions and working in various aspects of university administration such as enrollment management, strategic planning and fundraising. Prior to this role, she was vice president for servant leadership and oversaw the Francis Center for Servant Leadership, establishing more than 100 community partnerships, along with university-wide servant-leadership initiatives, earning the university a Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation, as well as the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
In April 2019, Espy received the national Zenobia L. Hikes Faculty Women of Color Award at Virginia Tech University. The award honored her accomplishment in improving faculty salaries and institutional diversity at Pfeiffer University.
Dr. Espy holds a Ph.D. in Child/Family-Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University, an M.S. in Family Studies from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and a B.A. from Berea College, Berea, Kentucky. Her teaching and research expertise include systemic theory, ethnic identity and self-esteem, servant leadership, service-learning and student engagement.
A Kaleidoscope of Learners:
Guiding Mitchell through Change and Growth
During student-organized Spring Weekend 2022, President Espy visits with students on campus between activities.
Members of the Multicultural Student Union (MSU) executive board chat on campus with President Espy.
Mitchell alumni athletes enjoy Mariner hospitality with President Espy at Mariner Day for Families and Alumni.
Alumni from 2007–2012 gathered for a visit during the Spring Block Party and took a break to meet and talk with President Espy.
During a Black Excellence Table Talk – part of Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Social Justice Week in March — President Espy hears students share their experiences and ideas.
President Espy visits with students on campus during a Mariner event.
History of Mitchell College
On September 14, 1938, a group of New London citizens founded New London Junior College as a private, nonprofit, coeducational, two-year college in their community. In 1950, the name Mitchell College was officially adopted by the trustees to honor the descendants of the Alfred Mitchell family, principal benefactors of the College since its founding. The high quality of Mitchell’s academic program was recognized in 1956 when the College was awarded membership in the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Taking a leading role in educating students with learning differences, Mitchell established its specialized learning center, now called the Bentsen Learning Center, in 1981. In 1998, the College offered its first baccalaureate program in the area of human development and currently offers four-year degrees in 14 programs of study as well as three associate’s degrees.
In 2006, Thames Academy (now Thames at Mitchell College) launched its distinctive post-graduate program on campus, providing college-bound students with learning differences a structured year on a college campus to gain skills for a successful transition to a traditional college.
In 2007 Mitchell College officially joined the Division III National Collegiate Athletic Association and was a founding member of the New England Collegiate Conference, where we have earned championship titles across multiple years in many sports.
Today Mitchell College celebrates a long and proud tradition of educating a kaleidoscope of learners who come to Mitchell to discover and build on their strengths while gaining an appreciation for diversity in thought and the richness of a full life as part of a supportive community.
