The UNH 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.
Why Attend CONNECT?
→ Built a supportive community of peers, faculty, and staff!
→ Explore student resources at UNH!
→ Get matched with a peer mentor!
→ Students living on campus move in early and commuter students can experience living on campus!
Program costs, including on-campus housing, meals, and activities are covered by the University of New Hampshire.
Program Dates: The CONNECT Program runs the week before the start of Fall classes. Information about the 2026 CONNECT Program will be available in March 2026.
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, upper-class mentor. Many CONNECT participants use this opportunity to make their first connections and friendships at UNH. They engage in several workshops and activities to explore resources available to them at UNH, 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 UNH. Lastly, CONNECT participants must live and stay on campus at UNH during the program dates. Commuter students are given temporary housing accommodations during the program. All housing and meals during the CONNECT program dates are covered by the University of New Hampshire.
As a result of their participation in the program, past participants have reported:
Increased sense of belonging and institutional commitment.
Enhanced campus resource awareness and resource utilization confidence.
Enhanced sense of purpose for obtaining a college degree through goal setting and career planning.
Developing wellness skills and strategies.
Enhanced academic self-efficacy through academic success skill building and increasing familiarity with the learning process at post-secondary level.
“As a first gen [first-generation college student] it’s nearly impossible to know what college will be like and CONNECT allowed me to feel grounded and secure at UNH.” - CONNECT Alum, 2025
“As a first gen [first-generation college student] it’s nearly impossible to know what college will be like and CONNECT allowed me to feel grounded and secure at UNH.” - CONNECT Alum, 2025
“I recommend CONNECT because it’s such a great way to connect with students, upperclassmen, resources, Deans, advisors, and so much more. Gives you a lot of confidence :)”
- CONNECT Alum 2025
“I recommend CONNECT because it’s such a great way to connect with students, upperclassmen, resources, Deans, advisors, and so much more. Gives you a lot of confidence :)”
- CONNECT Alum 2025
“I was unsure about coming to CONNECT, but I’m glad I did. I love my mentor and the friends that I met at CONNECT!”
- CONNECT Alum, Class of 2024
“I was unsure about coming to CONNECT, but I’m glad I did. I love my mentor and the friends that I met at CONNECT!”
- CONNECT Alum, Class of 2024
Acknowledgement
The UNH 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:
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; UNH Enrollment Management; UNH Admissions; Career and Professional Success; Center for Academic Resources; UNH 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; UNH 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
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.
