In recent months, the University of Connecticut Hartford campus has garnered well-deserved attention for its investment in and contributions to the City of Hartford. Several upcoming projects signal our commitment to revitalizing Connecticut’s capital city, including a planned 200-bed residence hall on Pratt Street; conversion of 51,000 square feet in the XL Center to house a Community Intersections & Innovation Space for research; construction of a cafe open to the public in the beautifully renovated historic Hartford Times campus main building; and the launch of the “UConn IN Hartford” initiative linking the University, businesses, city and state leaders, and alumni. While we are excited about our growth as an anchor institution, it is only part of the larger story. At the heart of UConn Hartford’s mission is an unwavering focus on student success — the kind of success that transforms lives and drives progress in Connecticut’s communities. And it’s working. Nearly 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students at UConn Hartford are learning in and outside the classroom. They benefit from the city’s vibrant business, cultural, and social resources, helping them engage with real-world opportunities and build lasting professional networks. Enrollment among our majority first-generation and Pell Grant-eligible undergraduates has returned to pre-pandemic numbers, with an increasing number of students selecting UConn Hartford as their first-choice campus. UConn Hartford is a driving force for opportunity, fostering social and economic mobility for its students, their families, and the state. This impact was recognized in the 2023 Economic Mobility Index as a top-ranked institution for socioeconomic mobility in the nation. Take Rashaun Davis’s story, for instance. It exemplifies the transformative impact of UConn Hartford, where access to opportunities, campus resources, and a strong network have helped him thrive academically and professionally. As a Hartford Promise scholar, Davis earned his bachelor’s degree in financial management in 2022 and is now pursuing an MBA in Business Analytics at UConn. His passion for finance — particularly investment trading and global markets — guided his academic and professional choices. Thanks to internship opportunities in Hartford, including an internal audit role at Travelers, Davis honed critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These experiences prepared him for his current role as a credit research associate at Conning Investment Management. At UConn Hartford, Davis embraced our vibrant campus community and engaged with the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills to help him develop leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. These experiences inspired him to give back to his community. As a Hartford Promise Student Ambassador, Davis now advocates for other students, helping them access similar opportunities. Davis’s journey — from Hartford student to finance professional — highlights UConn Hartford’s vital role in fostering socioeconomic progress and strengthening communities across Connecticut. It is a compelling reminder of what can be achieved when students are equipped with the resources, opportunities, and a caring network dedicated to their growth and success. And Davis is not alone in his success. In partnership with organizations like the Metro Hartford Alliance, last year an impressive 95% of our students secured positive post-graduation outcomes, which is defined as employment or enrollment in graduate school within six months of receiving a degree. In fact, 85% of them are employed right here in Connecticut, helping to build the economy of the state and the communities in which they choose to live, including the City of Hartford. These career outcomes reflect UConn Hartford’s commitment to equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and connections they need to succeed in the workforce. Building on the university’s wide-ranging new Strategic Plan, UConn Hartford’s membership in organizations like the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) reflects our commitment to expanding student opportunities and addressing the challenges facing our community. These collaborations drive innovation, support workforce development, enhance civic engagement, and ensure that students like Davis have the tools to lead the charge in strengthening Connecticut’s cities. Together with our partners, UConn Hartford will proudly continue to drive change, fostering educational excellence and socio-economic mobility for the next generation of leaders. Mark Overmyer-Velázquez is the Campus Dean and Chief Administrative Officer of UConn Hartford. Wiley Dawson is the Assistant Director Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills there.