How to Find Us

Office for Equity & Inclusion

North College, 3rd Floor
237 High Street
Middletown, CT 06459
1-860-685-4771
  • Funding Requests

    In the fall of 2019, the Office for Equity & Inclusions will offer funding for programming through the Student Micro Grant and the Faculty and Staff Micro Grant. Please use this link to access the application.

    If you need additional informaiton, please contact Patricia Stephenson Gordon.

  • Program Houses

    Program Housing is a unique living option offered to upperclassmen at Wesleyan. It gives students the opportunity to live collectively in a house or hall, fraternity or society, based on shared hobbies, experiences, cultural interests and identities. It also supports the creation of interwoven communities of interest that otherwise would not be as connected. Many program houses are not only tied to an academic department or student organization, but also very often provide outreach to the greater Middletown community. The primary goal of each Program House is to provide unique educational and cultural, campus inclusive programming. Each Program House maintains a direct connection to a Faculty or Staff Advisor who assists with student and house/campus program development.

     

    For more information:http://www.wesleyan.edu/reslife/ugrad_housing/program-housing.html 

  • Wesleyan Black Alumni Council Prize 

    Wesleyan Black Alumni Council Prize 

    $4,000 student scholarship for a summer experience grant

    In April 1986, the Wesleyan Black Alumni Council (WBAC) established a memorial fund to honor deceased alumni of African descent. The memorial honors the memory and spirit of Bruce D. Hall '77, James "Donnie" Rochester '74, and Dwight L. Greene '70. In its wisdom, the Council agreed that the most fitting honor of the spirit of deceased alumni was through a scholarship/summer experience grant to enrich and expand the education of students from underrepresented groups, or students interested in research pertaining to the African-American experience. The maximum stipend is $4,000. 

    Application: A student who wishes to apply for the Wesleyan Black Alumni Council Memorial Prize must submit a proposal that includes all of the following: 

    1   A personal statement that includes a discussion of the applicant's intellectual and academic interests and their relationship to the African American experience. 

    2   A description of the research plan that discusses the nature, scope and methodology that will be used to explore the problem/thesis/project. 

    3   An itemized budget that describes how the stipend will be used. 

    4   An unofficial academic history. 

    The application must be submitted as an email attachment (.doc, .docx, or .pdf format) by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2020, to inclusion@wesleyan.edu.

    Benefits to the Recipient: A funded opportunity for the Recipient to bring a project to fruition. At the annual Dwight L. Greene Symposium during Homecoming/ Family Weekend, the Recipient will be highlighted to the audience. The Recipient will also be celebrated in the annual Awards and Scholarships reception presented by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and lastly, have the opportunity to present their project/research at the Alumni and Student of Color Reception during Homecoming/Family Weekend. 

    Some Past recipients: Don Christian Jones ’12, Teju Adisa-Farrar ’13, Oladoyin Oladapo ’14, Noah Korman ’15, Victoria King '18, Samantha Stephen '19, Kolbi Bradley '20, Sydney Lodge '21. 

    Please be aware: Recipients of the Dana and Mellon awards and other paid summer internships are not eligible to apply for the WBAC Memorial Prize. A student will not be permitted to accept another award or paid summer internship in conjunction with the WBAC Prize. An applicant may, however, use proposals that were submitted for other funding to apply for the WBAC Prize. 

    The Wesleyan Black Alumni Council Memorial Prize Selection Committee extends to you its best wishes for your success! 

  • Peter Morgenstern-Clarren ’03 Social Justice Award for Sophomores, Juniors and Employees

    Peter Morgenstern-Clarren ’03 Social Justice Award for Sophomores and Juniors 

     

    The Peter Morgenstern-Clarren ’03 Social Justice Award was created in memory of Peter Morgenstern-Clarren who pursued social justice while a student at Wesleyan.  His activism included securing benefits for Wesleyan custodial staff, participating in the United Student and Labor Action Committee, and contributing his leadership to the campus chapter of Amnesty International.  We are grateful to Dr. Hadley Morgenstern-Clarren and The Honorable Pat Morgenstern-Clarren for their generosity in sponsoring this award that honors their son’s activism for the public good.  A committee will select the sophomore or junior who best embodies the pursuit of social justice. The winner will receive a cash award of $1,500.  The application process is described below. Any sophomore or junior in good standing may submit an essay that addresses the following:

    Describe in detail the most influential social justice effort in which you played a leadership role that sought to make our local and global communities more equitable (The effort should have a direct affect on the Wesleyan campus and/or on external communities.)

     

    1. Explain your level of involvement in the work for example: your role in raising awareness about a particular issue on campus, coordinating events, implementing programming and campaigns in the pursuit of social justice.
    2. In addition to your essay, you must include a letter of support from a faculty or administrator involved in your effort and submit evidence of impact that the social justice effort had on making our society more just by contributing testimonies from individuals (excluding family and friends) directly involved, artifacts from your social justice effort (e.g., past printed programs, presentations, and articles), and/or your work from courses. You may include non-print items, such as DVDs.

    You must submit all items electronically to inclusion@wesleyan.edu by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.  All essays, letters of support and printed items must be in by the deadline.  By submitting your packet, you agree to allow the Office of Equity & Inclusion to use it (or excerpts from it) for assessment, archival, and promotion purposes. 

     

     Previous recipients:

    2019: Melisa Ogun                                             Wesleyan In-Reach Science Immersion Project

    2018: Jordan Bonner, class of 2019                     Basketball fundraiser for Middlesex Cancer Center

    2017: Nebiyu Daniel, class of 2018                      Rural Access; expand health access and health education across empoverished parts of Ethiopia.

    2016: Aleyda Robles, class of 2018                      Work on behalf of historically marginalized students

    2015: Hannah Sokoloff-Rubin, class of 2016 &       Work and Leadership in the Wesleyan Doula Project
              Claire Wright, class of 2016                        Sexual Assault Prevention & Survivor Support

    2014: Hailey Sowden, class of 2015                     Middletown Food Project/Long Lane Farm

    2013: Joshua Krugman, class of 2014                  Long Lane Organic Farm

    2012: Corey Guilmette, class of 2013                  Wesleyan Committee for Investor Responsibility

    2011: Ali Chaudry, class of 2012                         Pakistan Flood Relief Initiative

    2010: Allegra Stout, class of 2012                        Disability Issues

    2009: Lily Mandlin, class of 2010                        Facilitator, North End Action Team Teen Dreams Society

    2008: Mu Abeledo, class of 2009                         Founder, Middletown Youth Radio Project (MYRP)

    2007: Lashawn Springer, class of 2008                 Program Organizer, “Common Struggle for Freedom & Justice”

     

    Selection Committee:  Joseph Matthew Brown ’03; Richard Culliton; Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students; Teshia Levy-Grant, Chair & Dean for Equity & Inclusion; Derek Vincent Garcia, ’04; Sara Morgenstern; Mogenstern-Clarren Family Representative, Shelissa Newball; Associate Director, Student Activities & Leadership Development, Ann Wightman, Professor of History and Latin American Studies.

      

     

    2017 Peter Morgenstern-Clarren ’03 Social Justice EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD 

     

    Nominations are now being accepted for the Peter Morgenstern-Clarren ’03 Employee Recognition Award. Eligible Wesleyan employees include custodians, dining staff, grounds crew, and building maintenance staff (i.e. electricians, plumbers). The award is to honor and thank the people whose every day work helps the students at Wesleyan. Nominators may only submit one person for consideration; you are welcome to nominate yourself. The winner will receive a cash award of $1,500.

    The Peter Morgenstern-Clarren ’03 Employee Recognition Award was created in memory of Peter Morgenstern-Clarren, who pursued social justice as a student at Wesleyan.  His activism included securing benefits for Wesleyan custodial staff, participating in the United Student and Labor Action Coalition, and contributing his leadership to the campus chapter of Amnesty International.  We are grateful to Dr. Hadley Morgenstern-Clarren and The Honorable Pat Morgenstern-Clarren for their generosity in sponsoring this award that honors their son’s activism for the public good. 

    To apply, please respond to the following questions in no more than two pages:

    1)     What is your (the employee’s) job at Wesleyan? In what ways do you (the employee) engage and interact with Wesleyan students on campus?

    2)     In what ways have you (the employee) contributed to student life at Wesleyan? If possible, please give specific examples.

    3)     What do you (the employee) find most rewarding about working on campus?

    4)     Is there anything else that you would like to tell the committee about yourself (the employee)?

     

     Submit nominations to inclusion@wesleyan.edu by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, MArch 31, 2020.

     

    Previous recipients

    2015: David Csere

    2014: Lucia Valenzuela

    2013: David Wright

    2012: Jose Rodriguez

    2011: Gloria Tobon

    2010: Mollie Lane

    2009: Ron Bowman & Wendy Norton 

     

    Selection Committee:  Joseph Matthew Brown ’03; Richard Culliton; Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students; Teshia Levy-Grant, Chair & Dean for Equity & Inclusion; Derek Vincent Garcia, ’04; Sara Morgenstern; Mogenstern-Clarren, Family Representative, Shelissa Newball; Associate Director, Student Activities & Leadership Development, Ann Wightman, Professor of History and Latin American Studies.

  • Shu Tokita Prize For Students of Color Studying Literature

    The Shu Tokita Prize, established by friends and relatives of Shu Tokita, '84, will be awarded to one or two students of color majoring in literature, in area studies, or a language major with a focus on literature, who demonstrate need for substantial financial assistance. If you have any questions about whether or not you are eligible, please contact us. Recipients will be selected on the basis of commitment to the study of literature as evidenced in the content and quality of their essays, and financial need. Awarded to one or two sophomores and/or juniors for the remainder of their time at Wesleyan, the Prize is usually $1,500 per year. The recipient(s) of the Shu Tokita Prize will receive the annual award at the start of the following fall semester, that is, for their junior and/or senior year(s).

    The Prize was established in memory of Shu Tokita, Class of 1984, who passed away in January of 1989 from leukemia. He had received a B. A. in English Literature from Wesleyan University and an M. A. in Japanese Literature from Tsukuba University. He studied literature as a pursuit that spoke to his life, and from which he gained insights and, ultimately, strength. The Prize seeks to reflect Shu's interest in literature and his belief that it should be accessible to people of all backgrounds; thus, the Prize is focused on supporting students of color, for whom the study of literature, Shu’s family and friends felt, is often considered a "luxury." Through the Prize, we hope to encourage and assist Shu Tokita recipients in their decision to pursue literature as an academic endeavor. We hope that they will likewise share their insights and wisdom with their communities. Current Wesleyan student winners of the Shu Tokita Prize are Daniel Ng ’15 and Hieu (Jimmy) Nguyen ‘15.

    ELIGIBILITY:
    1. Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is a full-time Wesleyan sophomore or junior and is African American, Asian/ Pacific American, Latino American, or Native American, is eligible to apply. The applicant must be in need of substantial financial aid.

    2. The applicant's major or focus of study must be in literature. Applicants may be affiliated with the following departments: English, College of Letters, other language/literature departments, or area studies, e. g., East Asian Studies concentrating on Chinese or Japanese literature.

    SELECTION CRITERIA:
    The selection is based on the submitted     750-word essay on one of the two topics below, and on financial need, and not on academic standing.

    Essay topics:
    1. How do you plan to use your major, or focus of study, to make literature more
    accessible to people of all backgrounds? Please offer a specific example from either your own experience or perhaps a literary text that can illustrate your views.
    2. What is your response to someone who asserts that a major in literature is “impractical?” Please offer a specific example from either your own experience or perhaps a literary text that can illustrate your views.

    SELECTION: Selection is based on review of applicant’s written essay and financial need. DEADLINE for submission of applications: 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 17, 2018  
    ANNOUNCEMENT OF PRIZE WINNER: In time for the prize reception in May.

    TO APPLY: Prize application form is attached. For further information, please contact the campus coordinator of the Shu Tokita Prize committee, Alice Hadler (Allbrittton 214, x 2832, ahadler@wesleyan.edu, campus mail: English Dept., 294 High St.). Please submit your application and essay as an email attachment to Prof. Hadler by the April 17 deadline.

    THE SHU TOKITA MEMORIAL PRIZE
    APPLICATION FORM
    Name: _____________________________________ Class: _________________________ Campus Box #: ____________________________ Telephone: _____________________
    Social Security #: __________________________ E-Mail: _________________________
    Home Address: _____________________________ Home Telephone: _______________ ______________________________
    Major: ________________________________________________________________________ Program with a focus on literature: _________________________________________________ Please check all that apply:
    _____ African American _____ Asian/Pacific American
    _____ Latino American _____ Native American
    _____ U.S. Citizen _____ Permanent Resident of U.S.
    Please also check:
    _____ I hereby give permission to the members of the Shu Tokita Memorial Prize Committee to share among themselves information concerning my Financial Aid status for the purpose of evaluating my application. I understand that the Committee members are Prof Emerita Yoshiko Samuel, East Asian Languages and Literatures, Teiji Kawana, ’84, Daphne Kwok, ’84, Alice Hadler, English Department and Dean’s Office, Teshia Levy-Grant, Dean for Equity & Inclusion, Marguerite Nguyen and Amy Tang, English Dept. Current prizewinners may also be asked to read application essays, but will not see other application information.

    Please include a 750- word essay on one of the two topics below with your application:

    1. How do you plan to use your major, or focus of study, to make literature more
    accessible to people of all backgrounds? Please offer a specific example from either your own experience or perhaps a literary text that can illustrate your views.
    2. What is your response to someone who asserts that a major in
    literature is “impractical?” Please offer a specific example from either your own experience or perhaps a literary text that can illustrate your views.

    Applications should be submitted by email by April 17, 2018 to:

    The Shu Tokita Memorial Prize Committee ahadler@wesleyan.edu