Empowering Futures

The Vergnano Institute for Impact is committed to fostering connection and passion in the engineering and STEM fields. Our programs are designed to facilitate the outreach, recruitment, retention, and overall success of all members of the College of Engineering community.

Stay Informed: VII Staff & Faculty Newsletters

Our VII Newsletter for Faculty and Staff is called Inside Inclusion!

If you are a faculty or staff member in the College of Engineering, you will automatically receive this monthly publication from either Tracy Maheu (the amazing Administrative Program Support for COE Undergraduate Programs) or Lara Chiaverini

Here we provide resources, events, and opportunities that we believe may be helpful to your belonging, professional development, and impact while working in COE

NAPS: Nourishing Acts of Peace and Sparkle

Recharge through curiosity, creativity, and community 

NAPS is supported by staff in the College of Engineering and open to all who want to meet new people, build community, and have a little midday fun! Step away from your screen and into an hour of fun and stress-free activities – no artistic skills required, just your imagination.

If you’d like to lead something, or request a session, email lara.chiaverini@uconn.edu 

Mentorship

Finding the right mentor can be a transformative step in your journey at UConn. Whether you’re newly hired, navigating the early stages of your research, or working toward promotion and tenure, a strong mentoring relationship can offer invaluable guidance, support, and perspective. VII connects faculty and staff to mentors who uplift professional goals with connection, allyship, and resources available within the college and across the broader UConn campus.  

Just as important, we commit to supporting faculty, staff, and graduate students in becoming effective and motivating mentors. VII offers both 1-1 support and group trainings to guide the cultivation of strong mentoring relationships with graduate and undergraduate students to empower the next generation of researchers and professionals in a supportive and equitable academic environment.  

• Mentor training for your department 
• Training for GAs